WHILE hybrids have been warmly received in the US, persuading its citizens of the merits of diesel remains an uphill struggle. All three premium German brands boasted increased interest in their diesel models from US consumers, particularly in SUVS, with BMW reporting that one-third of X5 sales in US are now diesel versions.
However, most car executives now privately admit diesel will never match European levels of demand and, instead, the focus is firmly on providing alternatives to petrol power through hybrid or electric versions. The good news is that with diesel not making its mark in this major global market, the effort to offer these alternatives is a major impetus to hybrid and electric car development.