The Big Story: Diesel Market Facing Compression
Is the engine with no sparkplugs losing its spark? The diesel engine faces stiff headwinds by way of emissions compliance, vehicle electrification and a devastating Volkswagen cheating scandal. But automakers say they continue investing in new diesels.
February 21, 2017
Diesels just keep motoring along – for now.
Saddled with generally more expensive fuel, costly equipment to scrub emissions, high regulatory hurdles and an outdated reputation for being smoky and loud, light-duty diesel engines in the U.S. market have been treated for decades like the red-headed stepchild of the powertrain family.
Volkswagen’s ploy to sidestep emissions regulations, uncovered in 2015, gave compression-ignition powerplants the kind of black eye that never quite heals. FCA, PSA, Renault, Nissan and Jaguar Land Rover diesel engines also are under scrutiny by authorities.
But don’t entirely count out diesels in the near term either, because automakers continue investing in their development.
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