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Mazda Copying VW, Adding Diesels to American Line Up

green.autoblog.com — Mazda in order to boost the fuel efficiency of its fleet of cars and trucks 30 percent by 2015, plans to copy VW's success with diesels in the US.

Who dugg this? Made popular Oct 27, 2009

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  • j2los, on 10/27/2009, -0/+32Copying? It's not like VW invented the diesel engine. Mazda just knows good business when it sees it.
  • KMartSheriff, on 10/27/2009, -0/+9Yeah using the word "copy" is very retarded on the submitters part.

    But dugg nonetheless for having more compact diesels in the US. People here really seem to still have the impression that diesel is dirty, when in fact modern diesel engines are incredibly efficient and at least as, if not cleaner than a typical gasoline engine. Not to mention they last longer and get better fuel milage. And they've really minimized the "lag" in diesel engines, as most compacts are actually pretty zippy.
  • studiopenguin, on 10/27/2009, -2/+10The story in a nutshell: "Mazda is using VW as a case study to determine whether or not it would be profitable to bring the diesel designs they already use in other markets to the US."

    The headline in a nutshell: "ZOMG MAZDA IS COPYING VW'S IDEAS AND DEFINITELY 100% FOR SURE IS BRINGING DIESELS TO THE US!!"

    No fanboys like car fanboys.
  • jerryjamesstone, on 10/26/2009, -3/+8Vdub has it down
  • ICasualty, on 10/27/2009, -0/+5VW made a good diesel engine, it's efficient, cheap and yet decent for the environment. I'm a huge VW fan and enthusiast and I'm glad to see Mazda doing the same thing.
    There nothing wrong with what Mazda is doing here.
  • Dinsdale77, on 10/27/2009, -1/+5Man, it's like the 70s again. Nothing though will outlast my 1985 mercedes 300D
  • nicc, on 10/27/2009, -0/+4I dont know about where you live, but where I live/work diesel is less than mid-grade!
  • KMartSheriff, on 10/27/2009, -1/+5You heard wrong. Modern VW diesels are among the best. There's a reason they can't keep them on the lots.
  • tacojohn48, on 10/28/2009, -0/+2YOU HAVE TO MAKE ELECTRICITY SOMEWHERE.

    /sorry i don't use caps lock often.
  • elislider, on 10/27/2009, -0/+2my first car was a 93 300d turbo diesel. thing was freaking tank and had electric/automatic everything. great first cars and for just all around quality build. i will never understand why someone looking for a cheap car would buy a new kia or hyundai when they could get something used that is 10x more reliable and quality for 1/2 the price
  • kiwininja, on 10/27/2009, -0/+2500 miles not mpg.
  • Dustyb, on 10/27/2009, -0/+2Sweet I love my TDI and I'll drive it until it can't be driven anymore. Hope more people can experience the efficiency and longevity that is the diesel engine.
  • wimbor, on 10/27/2009, -0/+2Yes... and... the diesel engines Mazda uses in Europe are actually small Ford 1.6 liter diesel engines... Yes that is right... American car companies do have access to fuel efficient engines... They just don't use them on the North-American market...
  • lordmike, on 10/27/2009, -0/+2This whole thing that "Americans won't drive diesels" is bunk. Yeah, the diesel cars fo the late 70's were crap, but that was 30 years ago... Half the country doesn't even remember the 70's oil crisis! I'd love to have more diesel options. The big problem with diesel is the higher cost of fuel. Although yu make it back in mileage, there is still the psychological barrier of a higher per gallon price. Considering some folk will drive 20 miles out of their way to save a few pennies on gas, the fuel price disparity is probably the biggest barrier to acceptance for U.S. diesel cars.
  • iletumi, on 10/27/2009, -0/+2Ya that's what i meant, too early in the morning. Should drink my coffee before i start commenting.
  • mauriceh, on 10/27/2009, -0/+2No, Ford sold off most of its Mazda shares last year.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda#Partnership_wit ...
    "On November 18 2008 Ford announced that it would be selling a 20% stake in Mazda bringing its stake to 13.4%, and surrendering control of the company.[7][8] The following day Mazda announced that, as part of the deal, it was buying back 6.8% of its shares from Ford."
  • Sentinell, on 10/27/2009, -0/+2"upcoming Mazda2."

    What the hell? I bought my Mazda2 (newest model) 1.5 years ago. Strange that it's not being sold in the US yet.
    Although i'm guessing this has something to do with that fact that small cars aren't (considered to be) popular in the US?

  • raptorlightning, on 10/27/2009, -1/+2This is cool, but big petrol already has diesel priced appropriately higher because of its higher energy density and MPG capabilities. It doesn't help your pocketbook at all.
  • FunnyData, on 10/27/2009, -0/+1and Mazda is owned by FORD right
  • Coded1, on 10/27/2009, -1/+2Definitely, even BMW has the new 335d:
    http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_081 ...
    0-60 in 6.0 seconds and 23/39mpg economy. I saw it on the tube and it sounds quiet contrary to most diesels which have a distinct sound to them. I have been looking for a good diesel used after my friend had his VW Jetta diesel and that thing drove for ever on a tank not too many problems with the engine, it is a very simple engine to work on. With diesels there is no supporting electronics other than the fuel to air ratio, the alternator only powers your head lamps and other electronics so if your alternator and your battery dies you just need a grade or a good push to get the engine to turn over(its happened ). The torque you get out of these things is amazing, pulling and bad terrain are a piece of cake for these things.

    From what I have found they are also getting quicker but gas will almost always have the edge on speed and pickup but it's not as bad as it was 5-10 years ago but it's also knowing how to drive with a lower RPM with a manual transmission. Most diesels (that I've seen) red line at about 3500RPM (gas is usually about 4000-5000) but the most of the torque kicks in @ about 2K and dies off at 3K so red line shifting doesn't help but it gives you an idea on some of the differences. Another issue the diesels had were the emissions but now its almost gone.

  • iletumi, on 10/27/2009, -0/+1Right there with ya, bought my TDI a few months ago and i can't believe i get over 500mpg on a single tank.
  • aychseven, on 10/27/2009, -0/+1dugg for dubs. i owned a few and loved every minute of it. also using them as a case study myself for a business class.

    anyone know what the deal is with mazda now? are they independent?
  • MAGZine, on 10/28/2009, -0/+1Who said anything about *modern* VW diesels? As relevant as me going into the hyundai threads and shouting about how crappy Korean cars are.

    I'm saying that I heard (particularly from Phil Edmonston - also heard he knows a thing or two about cars), that VW diesels have had MANY MANY MANY problems. VW generally a good brand in my eyes, though.
  • Buckwyld, on 10/27/2009, -0/+1I love my Mazda Speed 6. :-)
  • tacojohn48, on 10/28/2009, -0/+1I want a small car and not just for efficiency. I like the look of a 2 door hatchback. I just need to wait for people to start trading them in so I can get one used.
  • wassim2k, on 10/27/2009, -0/+1Others have diesel, not just VW. Stupid article title.
  • oilfighter, on 10/27/2009, -0/+1As the owner of a BMW 335d, which accounted for about 1% of total BMW 3 series sales in the states, I'm glad that car manufacturers are bringing diesel engines to passenger cars in the states (again).

    BTW, diesel cars are not all slow. 335d does 0-60mph at 6.0 seconds. That is quick no matter what kind of engine is being used.
  • oilfighter, on 10/27/2009, -0/+1I think the "copying" refers to the success that VW had with its diesel engine here in the USA.
  • FritoPendejo, on 10/28/2009, -0/+1A used car is 10x more reliable than a new one, even considering that cars are more reliable now than they have ever been? In that case, bears stop by my house to take a ***** in the toilet.
  • xixphz, on 10/27/2009, -0/+1bah start making the mx-3 agian with a diesel. I know im biased but who cares, I love those little cars.
  • pathouston22, on 10/27/2009, -1/+1The TDI isn't really that impressive. It's $5000 more than the base Jetta and gets 12 mpg more on the highway on only a 140 hp engine.

    Put any weak engine in a car, it will get good gas milage. My 155 hp 2.3L Mazda 3 gets 32 mpg on the road. And I paid $17k.

    12,000 average miles annually, it'll use 90 more gallons, and at $3 a gallon, that will take 18 years to make up the price on a weaker car.

    No thanks.
  • pygmy, on 10/27/2009, -2/+1VW TO SUE MAZDA FOR PLAGIARISM
  • hypogenic, on 10/27/2009, -2/+1Just give me electric car. I'm totally done with fossil fuels. Whytf do they even bother? They can stick the 30% increase in efficiency in 6 ***** years up their mufflers. In 6 years there will be 90% increase in efficiency thanks to electric cars. At least I so desperately hope so.
  • dig1x, on 10/27/2009, -9/+6Lets hope they dont copy VW's horrible quality.

    What kind of silly headline is that? VW didnt exactly invent the diesel.
  • MAGZine, on 10/27/2009, -10/+2I heard that VW diesels had their fair share of problems...

    here's to hoping that Mazda gets it right!

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