Sales of diesel-powered vehicles in the U.S. rose by 27.4% in 2011 according to a report by the Diesel Technology Forum along with data released by market researchers Baum and Associates and HybridCars.com. Conversely, this group says that hybrid sales decreased by 2.2% that same year.
The report said that diesel numbers should continue to be positive for foreseeable future. It predicts that by 2015, diesel sales will make up as much as 7.4% of the U.S. new vehicle market. This is a substantial change in American consumer behavior. Culturally, Americans seem to have an aversion to diesel engines in anything but big trucks. However, consumers are looking for ways to save money however possible. To do so, they are turning to diesel fuel, longer 72 month auto loans, and bare-bones liablity-only insurance policies. Only the first of these, diesel auto sales, can really be thought of as positive.
Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum, said, "This 27 percent increase in annual sales is a strong sign that American drivers are understanding the benefits of new clean diesel technology in terms of better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. I fully expected clean diesel auto sales to increase further as several new diesel cars enter the U.S. market in the next couple of years.”
The trend may also serve as a testament to the technology leaps manufacturers have made in making diesel engines quieter, better-smelling, and more powerful.
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