Why aren't diesel cars used more in the United States?

Question

Why aren't diesel cars used more in the United States?

Answer 1

Because gas is so expensive!!

Answer 2

Diesel is probably more expensive in the United States compared to gasoline.

Besides, clean, efficient and powerful diesel engines are expensive to manufacture and maintain. Car manufacturers today claim that they've got diesel engines that outperform gasoline engines. I've tried some diesel engine German cars, in my opinion, I think diesel engines still have a long way to go before they can match the performance of gasoline engines.

Americans love their muscle, I can't imagine an American muscle car powered by a clattering, sluggish diesel engine. If the consumer demands diesel engines, United States will see more of them.

Answer 3

Well, it's a trade off when it comes to a car with a diesel engine versus a car with a gas engine. A diesel engine's advantage is mainly in the long term. They can usually go longer between rebuilds. But today most people don't consider keeping their cars for long. So they don't want to pay the extra price for a diesel engine when they don't plan on keeping the car long enough to make it worth their while. The other problem is if it does fail it can cost more to repair then a gas engine.

On top of all that while diesels get better mileage the cost of diesel fuel out here is more then gasoline. Plus a diesel's main fuel mileage advantage is when the engine is under a load (i.e. the vehicle is heavily loaded) which does not happen that often with a car (that's why diesels are mostly used in pickups in the U.S.).

So with a combination of higher fuel prices and higher maintenance a lot of people here in the U.S. would rather keep to a gas engine. It might cost more for fuel in the long run but it's cheaper to repair.

Added later: One thing I forgot to mention is that the price of the diesel engine option is another reason for diesel engines not being popular over here. Depending on the make of the vehicle a diesel engine can add anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000 dollars (U.S.) to the sale price. You would have to burn a lot of fuel before you break even.

Answer 4

because they are too expensive & they stink!

Answer 5

Have you seen the price of diesel lately? For the past 5 years it has been more expensive than premium Gasoline. Now that the worlds oil is about to dry up, it will only get more expensive. Fortunately I have invented a device that will bolt onto ANY internal combustion engine, diesel or gas, that will enable the engine to run on plain tap water. Motorcycles, cars, lawn mowers, weed eaters, big semi truck, airplanes (not jets), ANY internal combustion engine. This device costs $1000 dollars a piece and I have 14 million of them in stock. I plan to introduce this invention to the market when all the oil is gone.