The problem is in unwillingness of americans or unaffordability to go
and see Europe in details. Who visit? Or recent college graduates, or
elderly. Both groups aren't interested in what powers vehicles: gas or
diesel. Years ago there was another group-draft dodgers. The most famous
is Clinton, from whom nothing was ever heard about introducing more
VEHICLES with  DIESELS.
To start. Diesels do not experience lack of air for combustion, the air
is abundant!
Gasoline engines emit far more poisonous gases than diesel. The specific
smell of diesel exhaust comes mostly from aromatics, not very dangerous
substances . The smoke everybody sees is the result of poor adjustment
and is consists of particulates.
There are documented cases of diesel locomotives stuck in tonnels FOR
HOURS with no accidents or fatalities. Gasoline engines would kill
definitely.
Sometimes we hear of suisides in garages. May be because of small number
of diesels, I never heard of diesel car involved.

My sharp ears hear a lot of diesel cars in Europe. The buses move so
quiet that it is easy not to hear and be run over. And no smoke, no
smell!

The exhaust is astonishingly clean thanks to Eberspaecher ( the vehicle
heater manufacturer!) filters, conveters and afterburners installed.

In many countries diesel price is half of that of gas, this combine with
diesel efficiency attracts the customer. Diesel engines are by far more
robust, durable and reliable and can be produced cheap. Is not unusual
to meet a diesel vehicle with many hundred  thousands of miles!

American public must finally awaken to the fact that foreign economies
are efficient with less resources and do not start wars to advance
interests of oil barons.

Ark.

Kent Christensen wrote:

> For some years before the merger Chrysler has been producing
> both minivans and Jeeps in Europe and offering diesels in
> them.  American diesel lovers need to face the fact that
> auto executives here do not believe there is a market for
> diesels big enough to justify doing it and they're correct.
> As far as bureaucracy goes, I bet it's easier to do diesels
> than gasoline engines and don't think that's the problem.
> Domestically produced diesels?  Given NAFTA, Mexico (where
> Golfs and Beetles are made) is domestically!  What are you
> waiting for again?  (Not flaming, just funning!)