[Vwdiesel] TDI- detuned European...

[TexasTDI]

Diesel car sales in Europe are right at 50% of total sales now.  Diesel car
sales in the US are only 1% of total sales.

In order for VW to use their particulate traps and 3 way catalytic
converters, the car must use ULSD.  Otherwise, the motors themselves will
run on our diesel.

VW is bringing over the 100hp 1.9 PD (a motor that has been available in
Europe for a few years now) and the brand new 136hp 2.0 PD for the 2004MY.
VW wouldn't do this if they didn't think the motors would run on our crappy
diesel.

The only fear I would have in importing a Europe-only TDI motor is
availability of parts and service.  I would have no fear of fuel related
problems.  At least no greater fear than I do now with my current US-spec
TDI.

Chris Thornton
1991 VW Jetta 2 Door 1.6 Diesel - 237k miles
2000 VW Golf 1.9TDI (turbo diesel) - 82k miles
Amsoil Synthetic Lubricants Dealer #1098500
http://www.amsoil.com
http://texastdi.com/6/ubb.x

----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Kair" <scott3491 at insightbb.com>
To: <vwdiesel at audifans.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 15, 2003 5:58 AM
Subject: [Vwdiesel] TDI- detuned European...


>     In addition to fuel issues, perhaps the decision by MB and VW to limit
> what Diesel engines are shipped here is related to the difference in focus
> of emissions regs between the US and the EU.  It's been awhile since we
> looked into it, but IIRC, the European regs were aimed more towards
reducing
> greenhouse gasses while ours were focused more towards reducing
particulates
> and low-level ozone emissions.
>     If that's still the case, it would require developing two separate
> emissions control systems per engine.  Given the market share of Diesel
> engines in the US, corporate may have decided that the r&d investment in
the
> US system might not achieve sufficient return, especially in view of
> possible litigation involving fuel issues. And with Diesel sales in the EU
> amounting to 30-40% of all new cars vs. 5-10% (?) here, why bother?
>     We're also still in the vicious circle of Diesels don't sell in
America,
> so there's no promotion & advertising, so Diesels don't sell in America.
>
>     Scott Kair