Jeep Liberty CRD! DCX has the jump on domestics

Of the "big 3- domestic" auto makers, only Chrysler's Jeep division currently offers a Diesel passenger model in the US. Even GM's Saab doesn't offer a Diesel here. All offer Diesels in Europe and Ford and GM offer Diesels elsewhere also. Diesels are recognized for several favorable attributes, among them is fuel economy. Typical passenger Diesel models get 15-20% better fuel economy than their petrol/gas counterparts. Now in the past Diesels were known as pigs, slow and dirty, but things have really changed in recent years. Diesel powerplant improvement combined with low sulphur fuel have reduced emissions, and improved power across the board from the smallest to the largest.

Right now, the only "domestic" passenger vehicle that I know of that is available with a Diesel is the Jeep Liberty with the 2.8 CRD (Common Rail Diesel) 4 cyl. I'm not sure if it passes California Emissions standards, but it is offered for sale in most of the US. So it would seem that Chrysler would be best prepared in the event of a consumer shift toward Diesel, especially considering their relationship with Mercedes ( Mercedes owns Chrysler) and that company's new Bluetech Diesel powerplants, that can already pass California's strictest emissions standards.

But Ford and GM, actually have European designed Diesels ranging from 1.4 to 4.7 liters that could be federalized and made to meet California's standards. Add to this the hope for increased Bio-Diesel and it seems like a win-win situation for most of the country. In colder regions, Diesel fuel is known to gel at low temperatures ( around 32-33 degrees) but Bio-Diesel gels at a higher temperature (closer to 40 degrees) so unless you garage your vehicle and use addatives this could be problematic in winter. But Bio-Diesel would aleviate many other problems we face in the US, such as air polution and dependance on foreign oil, so I'd like to see it given a chance.

This would be one area where the "Big 3" could have the jump on the Japanese, Korean and Chinese manufacturers, since Diesels are not a significant part of their product mix.