144 messages,
Last post on Mar 23, 2012 at 8:31 AM
You are in the
Vans & Minivans Forum.
What is this discussion about?
Diesel, Van
#139 of 144 Re: Newbie, frustrated minivan mom [qbrozen]
by ateixeira
May 29, 2008 (11:21 am)
And how that we bring that up, why no diesel or hybrid option on a minivan?
#140 of 144 Re: Newbie, frustrated minivan mom [ateixeira]
by gagrice
May 29, 2008 (11:42 am)
And how that we bring that up, why no diesel or hybrid option on a minivan?
Excellent question. Seems Toyota and Ford both said about 5 years ago they were going to hybridize across the line-up. The EU has several choices of diesel mini vans. Same issues with the diesel mini van as with all small diesels. The CARB carrot is hung out just far enough to keep the automakers from reaching it.
#141 of 144 Re: Newbie, frustrated minivan mom [gagrice]
by ateixeira
May 29, 2008 (12:01 pm)
Ford abandoned the minivan segment entirely, though some may argue the Flex is a minivan in drag.
Toyota may eventually sell one here.
A friend of a friend had a Renault (IIRC) diesel van, diplomatic tags, and took me for a spin. I was impressed with how flexible the seating arrangement was - basically 5 seats anywhere you want to mount them. So you could have 2-2-3, or 2-3-2, or take some out and use any combination.
#142 of 144 Re: Newbie, frustrated minivan mom [ateixeira]
by gagrice
May 29, 2008 (1:22 pm)
It probably would not bother me so much if I did not see these in both cargo and passenger configuration with the big TDI on the back. There are a lot of them coming across with Mexican Nationals driving on our highways. So it is illegal for me to have a 35 MPG diesel van, but not someone from across the border driving in CA. Most likely driving on $2 diesel that is not ULSD. Why would they pay our high prices. There is a station just across the border selling diesel for $2.16.
#143 of 144 Re: Newbie, frustrated minivan mom [gagrice]
by ateixeira
May 29, 2008 (1:24 pm)
Same in Brazil. Diesel is cheaper than gas (1/2 the price a year ago), but it's not nearly the same quality we get here in the US.
#144 of 144 Re: Where are the diesels? [hansienna]
by wv_engineer
Mar 23, 2012 (8:31 am)
Obviously you haven't noticed the diesel car passing you and fuel stops on the highway. Because, you did not know that they were diesels. Next time you see a VW look for the letters TDI on the back. If it does not go wizzing past you getting 40mpg.