Since the late 80's I haven't even seen Ford TRY to sell antoher diesel in anything under a F-250 (which, I'd like to get one if I had the room), however they sell diesels in pratically every other country in everything from the Ranger down to the Focus. I'd like to get a Focus/Ranger diesel but the import rates and everything associated with it make the Focus a $40,000 car (Not to mention that the driver's side is on the passanger side of the vehicles that are produced for/in the US). Ford hasen't even TRIED to make an effort to test a new "small diesel" in this country. After my 84 Gas Ranger kicks the bucket, I'll be getting a diesel, I'm just upset that I can't get a small diesel in something like the Ranger or Focus for a decent price, what gives? Is Ford afraid to test the market?


Biodiesel Panther

 

It's not just ford that does this. Diesel is extremely popular in Asia and Europe, but has done poorly here in the past. I thought it had something to do with the taxes.

 

As far as I know. most of the distain for the diesel engine came from the 70's when Chevy tried to convert a gas engine (their 350 I think) to a diesel without doing it right. The thing was a piece of trash and they didn't honour their warranties. But still that was 30+ years ago, and with the adventation of beter built diesels, the techonolgy, and Biodiesel the smell and the black "death clouds" are gone. Not only that, but for the 10 cents more that you pay for a gallon of "regular" (dino) diesel you get almost, if not, double the milage.

I think that it's time for diesels to make a comeback, for at the very least a chance to make it in a market that could use them.

Biodiesel Panther

 

the thing is with new epa laws you won't see a small 4 banger diesel they just won't pass emissions without a lot of help.

 

VW's had their diesels out for longer than 5 years and their TDI's meet the standards at the very least. If a company like VW can do it, so can Ford. Besdies that, what's wrong with the car companies advertising/selling diesels with Biodiesel? Biodiesel makes them quiet, "death cloud" less and with a 3 degree retardation in engine timimg, then would even emit less NOx than the diesels would with "low sulfer diesel". Screw Big oil companies, we've given more $$ to them and the middle east than anything else, and what's the harm in making a fuel in our own country? It's sad to see that so many have no spine.

Biodiesel Panther

 

From what I understand, Fords biggest issue is fuel quality in North America. But as the fuel gets cleaner, you may start to see compact diesel cars from Ford.

 

The only rational I can find is that the big companies (such as ford) see car and truck buyers as conspicuous consumers, and expect us to buy great big monsters that are highly inefficient - as if we didn't know better. Another point is that in europe I think there are a lot of regulations which literally force vehicles to be smaller and more economical. Since no such exists in north america yet, there is no unavoidable reason for manufacturers not to make the most expensive products possible.

It's business. They make more money off of the line they presently offer. And that goes for all of the automakers.

Look at the trend in japanese truck imports - they have all gotten bigger. Ya think they drive full sized trucks in japan? Doubtful indeed.

In 1985 while I was in the Phillipines I saw a wonderfully economical little car being used as the base taxi's at Subic Bay. They were called Gemini's, and they were made by Ford. Fuel purity ain't the issue, friends and neighbors. Those things were being operated on the lowest cheapest grade of fuel the drivers could get...

What can we do? Stop buying until they give us what we want? The only way to attempt that is to avoid new and buy used. I hope you turn a decent wrench.

I think the average north american likes a big roomy machine though, so I doubt a significant enough proportion of the populace would go for such a boycott.

It's pure consumerism - giving the people what they want and/or will buy.

 

the only down side to producing small diesels is that it will put more demand on diesel so prices will go up even more than they all ready have. i personally dont belive the gas companies that demand for diesel is as high as they say it is.

other than that i am all for small diesels. i personally would like a diesel ranger

 

It is because of Gas and Diesel price difference. Gas in South Asia</ST1 (and many other counties) is expensive compared to Diesel. So they opt for diesel cars.<O</O

 

The reason for that is diesel costs almost half the price of gas in south Asia.
FYI, There are hand made diesel bikes in south <ST1 Asia</ST1. They are noise, they pollute, they loosen all your bone joints, but they are very economical especially for rural applications (they give around 80 KM per liter of petrol (gas) that is in other word 187.9 miles per gallon). Also a gallon of petrol-(gas) costs $4.2 atleast. It makes sense to have diesel bikes/ Cars.<O</O