Move Over Hybrids, Diesel Is The New Black
July 18, 2007 by George Skentzos
A recent study conducted by J.D. Power and Associates has found that 50% of prospective car buyers in the US are considering a hybrid model, down from 57% one year ago. By contrast, the level of interest surrounding new diesel models has risen sharply with 23% of respondents claiming they’re considering a diesel, up from 12% last year.
According to the study, consumer realization that hybrid cars are not as thrifty as initially perceived is the main cause for the loss of interest in hybrid vehicles. J.D. Power’s Mike Marshall told reporters from The Detroit News that,
“The decrease in consideration of hybrids in 2007 may be a result of their more realistic understanding of the actual fuel economy”
More and more people are becoming aware that diesel cars can offer up to 30% better mileage than equivalent petrol powered cars and are often more frugal than even petrol-electric hybrids. Still, combined sales of diesels and hybrids account for only 5% of the US market but the trend is likely to change soon in the favor of diesels as more car makers announce plans for a US diesel roll-out.
Print it: 
Its ok BIG-T can put a diesel in its Prius, if it has to.
Toyota should just buy USA, be easier in the long run:-)
The problem with Diesel is it might return the same fuel consumption as a Prius BUT Diesel cost more… so a Pris is cheaper in ongoing costs. Its the initial cost that kills it, as Diesel are alittle cheaper to buy.
Paul please explain…. same consumption but diesel would be dearer. i think i know what you are getting at is it the bowser price? well i was surprised to see diesel isnt like 10c dearer anymore its actually a lot closer priced to petrol now. and if diesels are cheaper to buy (whats a prius worth by the way) i would have thought the cost would still be pretty much the same
Clean diesel adoption will definitely be helped by automobile manufacturers such as Mercedes, Audi who are making great advances and offering better efficiency over Hybrids. What could pose a challenge to Clean Diesel is, Plug-in Hybrids.