Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives How bad do Americans want a compact diesel pickup?

So would I.

It cost too much to get the engines to comply to emission standards. Combine that with the lower acceptance of diesel engines in this country it doesn't make money sence for a manufacturer to R&D a diesel whatever to bring to market for such a small market %. Until a larger market is seen by the manufacturer or demanded by the consumer they will still be niche markets that few dabble in.
As far as Toyota or Ford or whoever getting the buerocrats to accept them, they already have- as long as the engines meet emissions- which is why you do not see them here.
Heck, Chrysler has diesel motors in PT Cruisers, Calibers, Grand Caravans, Town & Country Vans, Liberty, Grand Cherokee, and possibly more that I cannot remmeber. The only one that makes it too this market is the Grand Cherokee and that is all due to emission regulations.
Dodge and GM scrapped the 1/2 ton diesels for now due to lower profitability that R&D would produce- especially being under the microscope after the BK, it wasn't a smart direction to move in. Chrysler and GM spending millions on R&D for a very very small market segment would be all over the headlines. Could you see the headlines for them? "Gm & Chrysler spending millions of taxpayer dollars on new diesle truck while Toyota and Honda produce gas mizers". I don't think I would want to be under fire for that and can't blame them.

Hemi

GM Ford and Dodge blocked Toyota from bringing a diesel to N. America years ago.Doubt we'll ever see one for sale for our markets.

They also export one that is a true 4 door crew cab. Pizzes me off they wont sell them here.

Have never heard that before. Do you have any links or information? Not busting your balls, really would like to see where you got that info.

Hemi

http://www.dieselenginemotor.com/diesel_engine_history.html

It is an interesting read, old Rudolph wanted to design an engine that could be fueled by biomass and had better fuel economy and efficiency than the steam engine. Sound familiar?

Still hear that in the next few years Ford and Dodge were coming out with a Diesel half ton. Ford probably. Dodge since Fiat owns them and they are supposed to become the "Ram" brand who knows what Dodge will do. Had they came out with a Diesel half ton for the 2010 like they said I might have gotten one instead of my 3/4 ton.

I think its viable and probably a great idea for alot of vehicles.

You want a vehicle with great mileage and that scoots along fast try a Diesel Volkwagen Jetta. Last I looked at one it was rated at 44 mpg on the highway.

Get me a compact pickup with that jetta engine, and I'm starting to write the check..... JMO, Dutch.

No one really makes a compact pickup anymore. They're all midsized.

The best combo I have found so far is my diesel jetta and a f150 supercrew. A friend just got 56mpg with his diesel Jetta on the highway the other day, I average about 41mpg with mine in summer.

I'd settle for the Toyota Hilux diesel.

That Mahindra thing has too much overhang at the rear to be a good off road truck.

The Afghan Border patrol and the Police use the Ford Ranger 4X4 crew cab. It looks mo better than the Hilux toyo, sports a diesel and from what I'm told it's about as indestructable a truck as there is.
Would REALLY like to have one.