“Dieselgate” may now go down in the record as the scandal that killed the diesel engine in the U.S. Even though General Motors and Mazda have revealed new diesel-powered models for the United States, European automakers have largely turned their back on diesels. Mercedes-Benz has already stopped pushing diesels in the U.S. and now the VW Group, which consists of several brands, like Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen, has thrown in the towel.
Audi, Porsche and VW will no longer sell diesels in the United States
VW Group will continue to sell diesel engines in Europe, but they are done in the U.S. according to Peter Mertens, Audi’s new development boss. Mertens confirmed recently confirmed the news to Car and Driver.
“I do not believe that Americans in their true belief and heart, their cultural way of driving, are suited to diesel,” Peter Mertens stated.
Related: Mercedes-Benz gives up on diesels this year
Even though the VW Group will continue to sell diesels in Europe, there’s a new battle there as well. “People think that diesel is bad. It’s not helping us and it’s not helping the environment, speaking frankly. It would be great if we could come back to technical terms and realities instead of alternative facts when it comes to diesel, but it’s very difficult to fight them.”
Buyers in the United States that still want a diesel, can look at a few new options, like the Chevy Equinox, Mazda CX-5 and next year the Ford F-150 will also offer a small diesel.
Source: Car and Driver
