

Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president for global product development
Diesels just aren't the answer for Americans says Kuzak






  • Diesel engines are more expensive than their gasoline counterparts
  • Americans in general are apprehensive to diesel-powered cars
  • Diesel fuel remains more expensive than gasoline




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Diesels in Europe
By ssobol on 3/10/2011 7:17:19 PM , Rating: 2
Diesels are all over in Europe. Even in the compact cars. Last time I was there (UK and France) 3 out of the 4 cars I rented were diesels (didn't ask for them, just what they gave me), including a Ford Focus (much different from the crappy Focus that is available now in the US). Other than the "Diesel" sticker on the fuel filler door you couldn't really tell the difference when driving it. When cold it did make a little more noise than a gas engine might, but it went away when it warmed up. In terms of driving the performance was quite good. I had no trouble driving on the highway (dual carriage way). In the UK between the diesel engine/fuel and the larger gallon size, the Focus I had got 49 miles to the gallon in normal driving according to the onboard computer(wasn't trying to maximize the mileage). One of the other diesel cars (a Hyundai I think) got 54 mpg.

I would be quite happy to have the same diesel Focus that I drove in the UK as my car in the states. The US ones (2010 model) are really annoying (had it as a rental) and I certainly would not own one.

