dog_party wrote:
I definitely think the Dakota would be the best choice for DC as a next diesel step from a comsumer view-point. I can see the Caravan as a good potential next step as well. DC has a lot of practice putting diesels into vans in Europe and I think people would eat up a diesel minivan.
But I don't think that seeing an American DC sedan get a diesel soon is too far fetched. From what I've seen, the Merc E320 CDI is selling up to goal, but I might be misinformed on that though. I can see them replicating that setup into an affordable American DC sedan. I'd be hard-pressed not to buy the Magnum with a big phat diesel in it if they made it available. Maybe a red one, limo tint, Pirelli P-Zeros to handle all that power, yeah, I'm feelin' that!
But what I really think would sell like stinkin' hotcakes to the American people is a 1/2 ton P/U with a mid-level diesel in it. DC already has a proven 1/2 ton truck and a few million people crying for a disel in it. Jeez, fleet sales alone for a diesel 1/2 ton would be astronomical!!
Their options are limitless. They have one or two of every type of vehicle anyone can imagine. They just need to get over the springboard and prove to the bean-counters that developing diesel production in America is a valid investment. And I think all of us buying the first and second year offering is a great show of hands to them. Maybe we should get some advertising money for that. Hmmmmmm...
I think they will test the waters with the Dakota 2.8L and if it's a sucess the watch the following year for a VM 3L V6 in the 1/2 ton full sized truck. Talk about putting GM & Ford under that would just about do it in my way of thinking. A full sized truck with automatic trans and still get 28 to 30 mpg would put a stake through the Ford PU & GM trucks because neither has a diesel they could put in the 1/2 tons for several years beyond Dodge.