Honda to Pitch Diesel to Americans

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Honda Motor Co. is betting a newly developed engine will win over American consumers to diesel-powered vehicles, the Wall Street Journal reports.


The Japanese auto maker announced plans to launch in the U.S. by 2009 a sedan — probably a Honda Accord — powered by a “superclean,” four-cylinder diesel system. The system consists of a diesel engine Honda has introduced in Europe, plus devices that significantly reduce the polluting gases given off by diesel combustion.


American consumers have long shunned diesel vehicles, and Honda hopes the system will convince them that the technology can be clean and quiet. Diesel vehicles generally achieve about 30% better fuel economy than comparable gasoline-powered cars, and Honda believes they could compete head-on with gasoline-electric hybrid systems at a time when consumers are concerned about high gasoline prices.


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