In 2008 Nissan confirmed that the Maxima would receive a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel, that was developed by Renault for the US market. The original plans saw the introduction of the diesel-powered Maxima being released later this year. But now it looks like those plans have either been delayed or scrapped altogether.
A Nissan spokesman told AutoObserver there is "no official word yet," regarding Nissan's maintaining the U.S. launch for diesel-powered 2010 Maxima. The spokesman would also not deny that it was being in fact delayed or that if it was actually being canceled.
"We're reviewing our mid-term product plans right now [some to be delayed, some potentially canceled], but nothing in concrete as yet," the spokesman added, saying the company's U.S. arm "should have some clarity in the coming weeks."
Other automakers have also recently announced plans to delay or cancel their own diesel programs in the US. Acura has delayed, possibly indefinitely the diesel-powered TSX. GM also announced plans to discontinue development on a new V8 diesel that was to be used in light trucks and SUVs.
There are a few reasons for the automaker's retreat from the diesel engine in the US. Specifically the declining market and the higher costs to produce the diesel engines and their special exhaust systems. The other issue is that any fuel savings are now being erased due to the fact that diesel now costs more at the pump than regular gasoline.
Full Story: AutoObserver
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Comments (11)
I'm curious as to where the Maximas are currently selling in the US?
I haven't seen a single 2008 or 2009 Maxima on the road in New England in recent memory. 4 or 5 years ago, it was a hot seller. Plenty of Infinti's rolling out there though.
Posted by Trooper Bri | March 17, 2009 7:28 PM
Posted on March 17, 2009 19:28
I saw one about a week ago in Northeastern Ohio, it was probably a rental.
Posted by Jeremy | March 17, 2009 7:37 PM
Posted on March 17, 2009 19:37
I want to know why we still have both the Altima and the Maxima... It's not like the Maxima is that much larger...it does have more premium options and a tad more power, but really? I'd buy the Maxima over the Altima, usually for styling. Why not make the Altima a more base model and push the Maxima only to a V6 model.
You wanna bring a diesel over here, put it in the Altima. That's pretty much the Camry of the Nissan world.
Posted by Brian | March 18, 2009 2:10 AM
Posted on March 18, 2009 02:10
The new Maximas are at a bad price point in my opinion.. They bump up into G Sedan range with very few options. Guess which one I'd rather have.
Also not bringing diesels in now is a very short sighted move... Does anyone honestly think fuel prices are going to stay this low forever? If one thing the market has proved its that it has no problem driving the price up on oil at the slightest hint of increased consumption.
More diesel offerings still makes a lot of sense. It'll make even more sense as technology continues to improve making manufactured biodiesel more commercially viable.
Posted by Chris | March 18, 2009 7:12 AM
Posted on March 18, 2009 07:12
Dang it! First the Accord Diesel gets cancelled, then the subaru diesel won't be imported, now this.
I like diesels. Had a 2001 VW TDI Jetta and was looking forward to a diesel small SUV or crossover. Heck, even a sedan would be great.
Not sure I want to chance VW quality for a new Jetta and was looking for a Japanese made one. Can't afford the BMW/Mercedes diesels.
ANyone know if the Kia subcompact is still slated for a diesel? the Forte, I think?
Posted by bimmerbill | March 18, 2009 7:15 AM
Posted on March 18, 2009 07:15
What's the reason for another delay/mothballing? Are these powerplants shipped/sold elsewhere? Diesel power to the people, please!
Posted by Kawi | March 18, 2009 8:24 AM
Posted on March 18, 2009 08:24
Um... diesel is at 1.99 over here. Premium (93) gasoline is $2.11.
No savings? Considering that diesels get more MPGs than gas, I'm sure there are considerable savings there, especially in the long term (if diesels still outlive gas engines).
Posted by Joan of Arc | March 18, 2009 9:10 AM
Posted on March 18, 2009 09:10
Diesel fuel always costs more, the federal tax is higher, not a reason not to bring these engines to the states.
Posted by harryo | March 18, 2009 12:12 PM
Posted on March 18, 2009 12:12
Automakers will never bring diesels to the US just because it sounds like a good idea and gives people a warm fuzzy. Over-regulation and fuel costs have already killed diesels in the US. It costs too much to make the diesels meet the new ridiculously tough emissions standards and diesel is (and will continue to be) more expensive than gasoline. Even if you could make diesel engines commercially viable, guess what happens to the price of diesel fuel once you have a few hundred thousand new diesel cars on the road? That's right, it goes up. I think the only viable diesel products will be the super-efficient ones like the VW 4-cyl diesels, which at least approach viability considering the difference in purchase cost and ongoing operating cost.
Posted by WS | March 19, 2009 11:08 AM
Posted on March 19, 2009 11:08
"They" say that people won't buy diesel because of the GM diesels in the 70's that were hunks of garbage. Gasoline engines with diesel fuel systems which snapped rods and cranks and obliterated heads with the high compression ratios the engine parts were NOT designed for....
However.
Find me someone under the age of 40 who remembers GM diesels. I'm 35. I'd buy a diesel engine that was a diesel engine and not some hacked together piece of shit gasoline engine with a diesel fuel system. The failures of 30 years ago does NOT impact me now.
Posted by teldar | March 19, 2009 3:51 PM
Posted on March 19, 2009 15:51
Nissan SUCKS!
Their (filthy) vehicle company are useless & stupid.
Nissan are scum, morons & gangster assholes. (Their dumb & brainless drivers, fans, etc are sore losers)
All their (crap) vehicles are all shit, all dump, rubbish, garbage & suck-ass.
Their (needless & unnecessary) companies must be removed from this face of this planet.
Nissan (& all their trucks) SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS, SUCKS & SUCKS!
Posted by Anonymous1 | November 6, 2010 9:50 AM
Posted on November 6, 2010 09:50