Biodiesel and the U.S. Diesel Vehicle Market: 2013
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NATIONAL BIODIESEL AND THE BOARD U.S. DIESEL VEHICLE MARKET: 2013 Consumers in the market for new diesel vehicles in 2013 will find that many of the world’s manufacturers now make great diesel products that are cleaner than ever and available for sale in the U.S. In fact, according to the Diesel Technology Forum, “2013 is going to be one of the most exciting years for clean diesel vehicles in U.S. history.” Robert Bosch LLC, Diesel Systems North America, a global multibillion-dollar engineering and electronics automotive leader, predicts there will be 54 diesel vehicles available in the U.S. by 2017 in North America, including 22 new models in 2013. According to recent published reports, clean diesel auto sales increased by 24 percent in 2012 over 2011, while the overall U.S. auto market increased by 13.5 percent. Currently, diesel auto and light duty truck sales equal slightly more than three percent of the U.S. vehicle market, but many auto analysts predict that diesel vehicle market share will climb to as much as 10 percent by 2020. As consumers look for cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles to serve their transportation needs, driving one of today’s new clean diesel vehicles powered by high quality biodiesel blends becomes a natural choice. Steve Howell, Technical Director for the National Biodiesel Board, said, “Many people do not realize that today’s new technology diesel engines with ultra low sulfur biodiesel blends provide tailpipe emissions as clean or cleaner than natural gas or gasoline, while providing superior fuel economy, horsepower, and durability. In addition, when you combine the increased efficiency diesel engines with the low carbon nature of an Advanced Biofuel like biodiesel, new technology diesel engines are positioned to become the clean—and green— technology of the future.” For the 2013 model year, German auto manufacturers remain the reigning champs of diesel passenger cars in the U.S. with nineteen (19) models between them. Volkswagen and Audi are offering twelve diesel models between the two brands, which are both owned by Volkswagen Group, for 2013. Mercedes has four diesel models lined up for 2013, and BMW will offer three. Domestic automakers General Motors, Chrysler and Ford will continue to offer diesel variations of their full size, heavy-duty pickups targeted at customers who need the extra torque for towing or hauling cargo. They too, however, are introducing some new diesel models this year. GM is launching a diesel version of the Chevrolet Cruze in 2013, making it GM’s first modern diesel passenger car. Meanwhile, Chrysler is introducing a new diesel version of its popular Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Ford is bringing back a diesel commercial van with its new full-size Ford Transit. The following pages provide a line-up by manufacturer of the diesel vehicle models available now or coming soon in the U.S., with the 2013 - 2014 models and their vehicle specifications and biodiesel blend capabilities provided at the end. © 2013 NBB - V2/2013 AUDI Audi announced that it is expanding its diesel lineup in the U.S. by introducing TDI engines in the A6, A7, A8, and Q5 models in 2013/2014 joining the company’s existing A3 and Q7 TDI offerings. A clean diesel TDI version of the A4 is also expected by 2014. BMW BMW announced the U.S. market will see a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder BMW 328d diesel and a 3.0-liter, inline six- cylinder BMW 535d diesel engine in 2014. Stay tuned for more details on these 3-Series and 5-Series models. X5 xDrive35d – Generating 425 lb-ft. of torque at 1,750 rpms, this inline-six Advanced Diesel engine is available for the first time in the U.S. CHEVROLET General Motors is launching a diesel version of the Chevy Cruze for model year 2014, complete with an EPA- estimated fuel economy rating of 46 MPG highway, segment-leading 151 horsepower and 264 lb-ft of torque, and approval for use with B20 biodiesel blends. The new Chevy Cruze is the cleanest diesel passenger car model ever produced by General Motors, and it is the first U.S. passenger diesel sedan to be fully approved for use with B20 biodiesel blends nationwide. Chevrolet will continue to offer the GM family Duramax 6.6L V8 turbodiesel in several full-size trucks and vans. Since the focus for these models is on torque performance for hauling cargo, fuel economy is only slightly improved from the standard V8 model. All 2011 model year and newer heavy duty Chevrolet diesels are approved for use with B20 biodiesel blends. Express Cargo and Passenger Vans – Chevrolet will continue to offer diesel versions of its large, sturdy traditional full-size vans for 2013. Silverado 2500/3500 – The Duramax diesel engine gives pickup power users about a 15 percent fuel economy improvement for Chevrolet’s full size truck. FORD Superduty F250/350/450 – The Ford-designed 6.7L Powerstroke diesel boasts the most power and ability in the class with B20 biodiesel capability. Ford improved fuel economy by 20 percent with the Powerstroke engine over its previous diesel. Transit – Ford’s all-new Transit full-size commercial van will be offered with a clean-running 3.2L PowerStroke 5-cylinder diesel, and is also approved for use with B20 biodiesel blends. GMC Much like Ram for Chrysler, the GMC brand exists as a truck-only division of GM with rebranded Chevrolet products. So the Chevrolet Express and Silverado 2500/3500 become the GMC Savana and Sierra 2500HD/3500HD respectively. For the 2013 model year, the GMC diesel lineup remains unchanged, with all 2011 and newer models approved for use with B20. HONDA Honda offers a 2.2L turbodiesel in the Accord, Civic and CRV in Europe, however the diesel option for these vehicles is not available in the U.S. as the company continues to pursue a hybrid and fuel cell strategy here. HYUNDAI Hyundai offers several diesel options in other markets, but does not offer a diesel option for the U.S. NATIONAL BOARD www.biodiesel.org 2 INFINITI Infiniti offers a V6 diesel engine option in Europe, which is not available in the U.S. JAGUAR/LAND ROVER Jaguar and Land Rover will expand their diesel lineup in Europe with diesel versions of the Land Rover Evoque and Jaguar XF. Adrian Hallmark, global brand director for Jaguar/Land Rover says that diesel models - for both Land Rover and Jaguar- are coming to the U.S. as well. JEEP Chrysler will introduce a diesel version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee in 2013, with approval for biodiesel blends up to B7. MAZDA Mazda announced that it would bring its 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesel Skyactiv-D clean diesel engine to the U.S. in early 2013, likely in the form of a Mazda 3, with a Mazda 6 diesel following in 2014. It has also been announced the U.S. will get a diesel version of the all-new Mazda CX-5 Crossover by 2014. MERCEDES-BENZ According to Philipp Schiemer, the company’s vice-president for product management, Mercedes is readying its own diesel offensive with eight models by 2014. In addition to its E-, ML-, GL-, and R-class diesels, the automaker confirmed that it will add a diesel option to its GLK-, C- and S-class vehicles. Mercedes will also launch a new E250 BlueTec sedan in fall of 2013 which will replace the V6 powered E350 BlueTec engine. E350 BlueTec Sedan – The E350 BlueTEC sedan features the company’s 3.0L V6 BlueTEC engine, which like Audi and VW requires an additive (AdBlue) for reducing NOx emissions and maintaining emissions compliance. GL350 BlueTEC SUV – The GL350 is a true luxury SUV with seating for seven and a 7,500 lb. towing capacity. ML350 BlueTec SUV – The 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec is all new and features all-wheel drive, a high seating position, and a car-like agile ride. R350 BlueTEC Crossover – The 2012 R350 is a luxury crossover van with seating for six or seven and all wheel drive; not available in 2013 model. S350 BlueTec – The 2013 S350 BlueTec is the automaker’s first S-Class diesel in the United States since the 1995 model year. It is powered by the same powerful V-6 diesel engine found in the new 2013 ML350 BlueTec, which develops 240 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque. Sprinter 2500/3500 – Mercedes will also offer the Sprinter cargo and passenger vans, as well as a Mini Bus and Cab Chassis in diesel models for 2013. MINI Mini offers diesel cars in its complete range in Europe, but it has not announced any plans to make these diesel models available in the U.S. NISSAN Nissan scrapped plans to introduce a diesel option with the 2010 Maxima and has not announced any future plans for diesel options in the U.S. PORSCHE Porsche will introduce to the U.S. market the Porsche Cayenne diesel in 2013. NATIONAL BOARD www.biodiesel.org 3 RAM Chrysler’s RAM truck brand has announced plans to launch the industry’s only diesel powertrain in the half-ton segment with its new 2014 RAM 1500 EcoDiesel. RAM will also continue its immensely popular RAM 2500/3500 diesel pickups, now fully approved for use with B20. SMART No plans have been announced to bring the diesel Smart to the U.S. SUBARU In Europe, Subaru offers a green diesel engine in their Impreza, Legacy, Outback and Forester. The most likely model to come to the U.S.