The Autoblog Green reports more great news for American car buyers: Audi diesel sales soar in November; TDI model accounts for 69% of A3 sales
Though Audi’s sales numbers certainly have improved over last year, it’s the automaker’s TDI-equipped clean diesel vehicles that have gained the most ground. The TDI engine accounted for 69 percent of all Audi A3 models sold in the U.S. in November. Additionally, the diesel-burning version of the Audi Q7 represented 45 percent of the SUV’s total sales volume. Both Audi and partner Volkswagen have witnessed a trend of growing interest in their clean diesel models and hope to continue to ride the surge with more TDI model launches scheduled for the U.S. in the coming years.
More TDI models? Excellent! Dear Audi, please include an all-wheel-drive option on the TDI passenger cars. I have been trying to find a way to import the amazing Audi Allroad TDI since 2004. The VW is nice, but variable height suspension and quattro are safety enhancements very useful in these big Sierra snow storms. I do not need the bling and mass of a Q-series, just the efficiency and functionality of the Allroad. At this point, however, I (and about ten others I know) would be thrilled to take delivery of an A3 quattro TDI.
Speaking of bling, the new V6 Le Mans diesel engine option would also be much appreciated as an option, even without anything like the stunning looks of the car:
The future of clean and smart engine design: Diesel by Audi.
Come on Honda and Subaru! Get in on the action. I have seen similar stories about your diesel models in Europe:
The company’s first horizontally-opposed boxer diesels have rolled out in Europe, and Subaru’s executive vice president Tom Doll said the diesel engine is a hot seller over there, so much so that Subaru total sales are increasing.
Autoblog Green says the car companies are now waiting on the government to mandate higher miles per gallon before they will believe American consumers are willing to buy better technology.
Our chance of getting this powerplant seems slim but new CAFE regulations requiring upwards of 35 miles per gallon by 2016 could convince Subaru that the time to offer Americans a diesel is now.
Toyota took a chance with the Prius and look what happened? The VW and A3 TDI sales are surging. Don’t wait for regulation; ship a limited run to the US and watch the data. Demand is here. Look at comments on the Autoblog Green for example:
I drive 25K miles per year in my 2000 Outback, need to burn 925 gallons of gas per year @ 27 miles per gal costing $2497 @ $2.70 per gal. If I used a diesel engine I would burn 500 gal @ 50 miles per gal costing $1500 @ $3.00 per gal. Save $997 per year or $29 per week. Additionally if diesel spikes up I have the option of making my own diesel out of various materials such as vegetable oil or algae. I really want that option in my next car.
That’s from an American with a low mileage estimate. I could not have said it better myself. Save money, clean the air, and shift America to alternative fuel sources through diesel engine sales, without sacrificing any performance or comfort.