While the 4.5L Dmax is all kinds of Badass, I agree with many on here that the sales would be pitiful. The people who actually want diesels will get the 6.6. Just like people who like performance gas engines are going to get a V8 over a V6.
Now as for the general public, most of them would buy an electric car before a diesel. Part of it is they just dont care, part of it is they think the electric cars are better, part of it is they dont know what a diesel is and the biggest part of it is that they still think that diesels are slow, noisy, smelly, pollute the air and you can find diesel anywhere but a truck stop.
Now that being said, the VW TDIs have been flying off the shelfs. I see more and more everyday. But at the same time thats a family car that gets over 40mpg. Like Ben said, the soccer mom driving the Tahoe doesnt want to spend the extra money or the hassle of owning a diesel.
Diesels cost more to maintain for the first 100,000 miles. Its true and this is a big turnoff for most. Ever look at any $29.95 oil change add, every one says diesels excluded.
Diesel fuel still is hard to find in some places of the US, outside of truck stops that have 1" nozzles that dont fit in passenger tanks.
Diesel engines cost more upfront. A big turn off.
And diesel fuel still costs more than gasoline. And with gasoline fuel economy getting better, the reasons for buying a diesel are getting thinner.
As of now I dont think we could honestly tell somebody who plans to own their diesel for 100,000 miles, that in the end they will come out money ahead. And since most Americans prefer gas engines, money is the only thing that will sell them on a diesel.
The Tax incentive for buying a TDI VW helped them move a bunch of them, maybe the government can do this for the 4.5L. Oh wait its a 4.5L for SUVs and pickups, the two things the government would like to see gone. And honestly, if we want to reduce our overall fuel consumption we can get rid of a lot of these. They always target us folks with the diesels, but really if they completely wiped out the 1/2 ton truck market they would get rid of 95% of the nations unneeded pickups. Now I think its safe to say most of us on here dont really need our diesels, but its our hobby and passion. Just like Joe Schmo buying a mustang.
In the end, I really dont think the 4.5L would sell as well as many may think. But since GM has already spent the money on the R&D why not just offer it as an option. The work is done, now put it in the truck.
Now as for the general public, most of them would buy an electric car before a diesel. Part of it is they just dont care, part of it is they think the electric cars are better, part of it is they dont know what a diesel is and the biggest part of it is that they still think that diesels are slow, noisy, smelly, pollute the air and you can find diesel anywhere but a truck stop.
Now that being said, the VW TDIs have been flying off the shelfs. I see more and more everyday. But at the same time thats a family car that gets over 40mpg. Like Ben said, the soccer mom driving the Tahoe doesnt want to spend the extra money or the hassle of owning a diesel.
Diesels cost more to maintain for the first 100,000 miles. Its true and this is a big turnoff for most. Ever look at any $29.95 oil change add, every one says diesels excluded.
Diesel fuel still is hard to find in some places of the US, outside of truck stops that have 1" nozzles that dont fit in passenger tanks.
Diesel engines cost more upfront. A big turn off.
And diesel fuel still costs more than gasoline. And with gasoline fuel economy getting better, the reasons for buying a diesel are getting thinner.
As of now I dont think we could honestly tell somebody who plans to own their diesel for 100,000 miles, that in the end they will come out money ahead. And since most Americans prefer gas engines, money is the only thing that will sell them on a diesel.
The Tax incentive for buying a TDI VW helped them move a bunch of them, maybe the government can do this for the 4.5L. Oh wait its a 4.5L for SUVs and pickups, the two things the government would like to see gone. And honestly, if we want to reduce our overall fuel consumption we can get rid of a lot of these. They always target us folks with the diesels, but really if they completely wiped out the 1/2 ton truck market they would get rid of 95% of the nations unneeded pickups. Now I think its safe to say most of us on here dont really need our diesels, but its our hobby and passion. Just like Joe Schmo buying a mustang.
In the end, I really dont think the 4.5L would sell as well as many may think. But since GM has already spent the money on the R&D why not just offer it as an option. The work is done, now put it in the truck.
