You're too stupid to... own a diesel small truck

[Randimus Maximus]

Why does it pencil for other countries, but not the US?

I can see tech. training, but salesperson training?

In Mexico, you can buy a diesel powered Toyota HiLux.

I'm guessing that the emission standards specific to diesels are vastly different than they are here. 

Technician training would be a bigger piece of that pie, but yes salesperson training would be required from the manufacturer. Unless you'd feel good buying a vehicle from someone who knows nothing about it.

[hbliam]

Unless you'd feel good buying a vehicle from someone who knows nothing about it.

Like the guy that sold me my 2012 Tacoma? 

[DRKWNG]

...but yes salesperson training would be required from the manufacturer. Unless you'd feel good buying a vehicle from someone who knows nothing about it.

Like the guy that sold me my 2012 Tacoma? 

Was about to say; how is that situation different from what we have now?

[lethe]

Was about to say; how is that situation different from what we have now?

+1 on that
Every previous dealership until we our Audi, the sale people knew only basics about the car they were selling. The owners of that Audi dealership though, seem like they intentionally hired car guys as just about all the guys there mod their cars and even if some don't get their hands dirty, they know what they're paying for. Hell, the dealership I got my Golf at, the service department knew shockingly little about certain things and I'll never bring my car there for anything. This other place also sells VWs and even though they are further away, I won't hesitate to let them touch my car if I don't feel like doing something with it myself.
It scares me a little how poorly some of the staff at some of these places seem to be trained.

[ungeheuer]

In Mexico, you can buy a diesel powered Toyota HiLux.

You can buy a diesel powered HiLux in most countries on Earth.  The real point is that its the US which is the exception.

Why?

[duccarlos]

You can buy a diesel powered HiLux in most countries on Earth.  The real point is that its the US which is the exception.

Why?

I would think the title of the thread answered that... "You're too stupid to..."

[Triple J]

Unless you'd feel good buying a vehicle from someone who knows nothing about it.

Looks like others have made my point! 

You can buy a diesel powered HiLux in most countries on Earth.  The real point is that its the US which is the exception.

Yep. I can see emmissions being an issue though. I thought CARB in CA was the main part of why we don't have a lot of diesels.

[Le Pirate]

+1 on that
Every previous dealership until we our Audi, the sale people knew only basics about the car they were selling. The owners of that Audi dealership though, seem like they intentionally hired car guys as just about all the guys there mod their cars and even if some don't get their hands dirty, they know what they're paying for. Hell, the dealership I got my Golf at, the service department knew shockingly little about certain things and I'll never bring my car there for anything. This other place also sells VWs and even though they are further away, I won't hesitate to let them touch my car if I don't feel like doing something with it myself.
It scares me a little how poorly some of the staff at some of these places seem to be trained.

When we were car shopping my wife kept trying to get me to get a job at the car dealerships. She said I'd make the best car salesman ever because everywhere we went, I think I taught the salesman new about the car that they didn't know. I taught one guy what exactly independent rear suspension actually means, and why the car he was trying to sell me didn't have it (even though he assured me it did) 

I told her I'd make a terrible car salesman...as I don't like people 

Either way, I'll agree with everyone else. I was disgusted at the lack of automobile knowledge the sale staff (at EVERY dealership we went to) had. Even if your not a car guy...atleast read the brochure for the cars your selling. You should know the difference between a direct-injected turbocharged 4 cylinder, and an old fashion V6. You should know that without popping the hood on the car. AND when you do pop the hood on the car (because I'm going to look under there), you should be able to tell that you made a mistake, and this is NOT a V6 

And yes. I know the difference between all wheel drive and front wheel drive. And yes, I can tell the difference while driving the car. And yes...I did just take the freeway entrance ramp at 80mph in your lot demo 

[Speedbag]

^^^ This.

[JohnEE]

And yes...I did just take the freeway entrance ramp at 80mph in your lot demo 

You aren't supposed to red line all the test drive cars???......who would have thought......the fastest car is a rental....

[zooom]

I have never owned a diesel vehicle but was fortunate enough to see and ride what BMW and Mercedes produce in Germany. I was impressed with the performance, fuel consumption and quiet ride. The diesel engines far outlast their gasoline equivalents which would justify the higher initial cost.
It doesn't hurt that diesel is a good deal cheaper in Europe which accounts for the popularity and advancement of diesel vehicles.
Interesting article: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/2012-carbon-motors-e7-cop-car-to-use-bmw-diesel-power-car-news

[threadjack]funny picture relating to that vehicle..



[/endthreadjack]

let's look at it from a different angle.

if you're an auto manufacturer and you need to decide on what to build and you have a finite amount of resources - both capital and engineering.

would you take the time to develop (and certify for emissions - where there is a considerable cost that we can't talk about on here) a diesel engine for a particular model to see a small increase in sales? 

Or would you go with what you already have in the stable?

There are other costs involved as well, such as technician & salesperson training.  A manufacturer like Nissan (since Triple J just mentioned them) would need to spend a considerable amount of time and money doing just that in order to sell & service a diesel powered Frontier.

Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of a turbo diesel Tacoma or FJ Cruiser.  But it just doesn't pencil from an economic standpoint.

so what you are saying coincides with what I have been saying...that VW could simply bring the Amarok here due to most of the product ( ie:drivetrain and motor and special training and various surrounding specs) is already technology on current vehicles here...the only thing needed would be the product training for sales people as they would normally get on any new product launch

[DesmoTull]

I would buy a VW TDI truck INSTANTLY.

Hell, I often think about finding an old NA diesel Caddy that will get insane fuel economy.

[zooom]

I would buy a VW TDI truck INSTANTLY.

Hell, I often think about finding an old NA diesel Caddy that will get insane fuel economy.

me too on the Amorok...my Subaru Baja Turbo would be traded in yesterday for it!

I had a Caddy...I somewhat miss it...it was a diesel that had a 1.8 JH GTi solid lifter head motor put into it by the P.O. and was still getting me 35+ mpg as a gas machine....tis a shame the passenger side strut tower was rusting through, or I would have kept it, but I sold it to a guy that needed parts off it and bought the ScoobyTruck.

[the_Journeyman]

You can buy a diesel powered HiLux in most countries on Earth.  The real point is that its the US which is the exception.

Why?

Yea, the 250,000+ mile Hilux we abused in Australia offered no complaints or anything.  I'd replace my Dakota with one if I could get it!!!

JM

[ducatiz]

I would buy a VW TDI truck INSTANTLY.

Hell, I often think about finding an old NA diesel Caddy that will get insane fuel economy.

I like the look of the Amarok too, but I'd really want to make sure it wasn't another Honda Ridgeline