Attention: TDR Forum Junkies In this country, we need a real Diesel dose of reality. Just once, I'd like to see a nationally syndicated public periodical explain the real reasons the Diesel went south in this country via the GM350 Diesel. That the engine went from idea to production in just over one month's time. That GM made a mistake in their product and that doesn't apply to the well-engineered Diesels like our Cummins and the millions of other Diesels that propel the rest of the world reliably and efficiently. That the Diesel actually runs more environmentally friendly than a gasser can ever dream of, and how economical and long-lasting they are... and how they start very well even in the cold.
I am in this industry for six years now, and I still cringe thinking about how our postmodern society still thinks back into the dark ages and how our media is so powerful and yet so wrong in so many ways at the same time. No other single voice is so embraced, yet so damaging to so many things. Freedom of speech is one thing, but to abuse that and constantly confuse the public? This is why companies like BMW, Isuzu, & Volvo pulled their Diesels from U. S. circulation. The people were terrified of what those horrible engines would do next to them. I remember, as a youngster, playing at my grandmother's apartment complex. Many Oldsmobile Diesels were in the automobile population there. The women would all gather after dinner at one particular porch and talk about things... . one of them being "that Diesel didn't start AGAIN".
Truck Trend did a decent piece on the Diesel engine a couple issues ago... . but the article was full of errors and misinformation. And think about who reads Truck Trend. I wouldn't say that it has the same amount of readers that lets say Motor Trend or Car & Driver has. I'd like to see at least once a year, and I'm being very generous, one of the aforementioned go on and do an all out Diesel test. Let's hear how the Jetta TDI is a fantastic little car that goes about 600 miles on a 12 gallons of Diesel. Car & Driver did a TDI cross country test a few years back, and they tested a Mack class 8 camper, and a Crane, and Firetruck. It has now been a while since even they have said anything beneficial, though.
And how about the wonderful salespeople at the dealerships. When I was looking to buy my truck, I stumbled upon a small Dodge dealer and just walked in for some info. The guy, who looked like Orville Redenbacher, looked at me scornfully and said "sonny, we don't make a Diesel". I couldn't believe my ears. Last year, when we were looking for our TDI Jetta, a salesperson at a VW dealer (that will go nameless despite the big sign in the window that said " OUR DIESEL IS A GAS TO DRIVE ") told me "you don't want a Diesel, they are noisy, smelly, gotta plug 'em in when it gets cold" (more great info--the TDI has no plug in heater). "These TDIs are for the 1% of the people who used to have Diesel Rabbits and want another Diesel. " Think about it. Cars from the early 80s just being put to their graves twenty years later. I also drove up right in front of his window with my Dodge/Cummins. I think the whole place knew what pulled up. If the companies right now who produce Diesels for U. S. sales would market them as well as GM does, we would see a major Diesel sales boom in this country. Maybe GM can't build the right product, but they do a great job marketing it. I pass a GM dealer on my way home from work, and see the occasional disbeliever pulling away in a new Duramax, while leaving a Powerstroke or Dodge/Cummins behind. Their marketing is working. I'd like to see more of that, and maybe... . just maybe... . the press would follow suit.
I am in this industry for six years now, and I still cringe thinking about how our postmodern society still thinks back into the dark ages and how our media is so powerful and yet so wrong in so many ways at the same time. No other single voice is so embraced, yet so damaging to so many things. Freedom of speech is one thing, but to abuse that and constantly confuse the public? This is why companies like BMW, Isuzu, & Volvo pulled their Diesels from U. S. circulation. The people were terrified of what those horrible engines would do next to them. I remember, as a youngster, playing at my grandmother's apartment complex. Many Oldsmobile Diesels were in the automobile population there. The women would all gather after dinner at one particular porch and talk about things... . one of them being "that Diesel didn't start AGAIN".
Truck Trend did a decent piece on the Diesel engine a couple issues ago... . but the article was full of errors and misinformation. And think about who reads Truck Trend. I wouldn't say that it has the same amount of readers that lets say Motor Trend or Car & Driver has. I'd like to see at least once a year, and I'm being very generous, one of the aforementioned go on and do an all out Diesel test. Let's hear how the Jetta TDI is a fantastic little car that goes about 600 miles on a 12 gallons of Diesel. Car & Driver did a TDI cross country test a few years back, and they tested a Mack class 8 camper, and a Crane, and Firetruck. It has now been a while since even they have said anything beneficial, though.
And how about the wonderful salespeople at the dealerships. When I was looking to buy my truck, I stumbled upon a small Dodge dealer and just walked in for some info. The guy, who looked like Orville Redenbacher, looked at me scornfully and said "sonny, we don't make a Diesel". I couldn't believe my ears. Last year, when we were looking for our TDI Jetta, a salesperson at a VW dealer (that will go nameless despite the big sign in the window that said " OUR DIESEL IS A GAS TO DRIVE ") told me "you don't want a Diesel, they are noisy, smelly, gotta plug 'em in when it gets cold" (more great info--the TDI has no plug in heater). "These TDIs are for the 1% of the people who used to have Diesel Rabbits and want another Diesel. " Think about it. Cars from the early 80s just being put to their graves twenty years later. I also drove up right in front of his window with my Dodge/Cummins. I think the whole place knew what pulled up. If the companies right now who produce Diesels for U. S. sales would market them as well as GM does, we would see a major Diesel sales boom in this country. Maybe GM can't build the right product, but they do a great job marketing it. I pass a GM dealer on my way home from work, and see the occasional disbeliever pulling away in a new Duramax, while leaving a Powerstroke or Dodge/Cummins behind. Their marketing is working. I'd like to see more of that, and maybe... . just maybe... . the press would follow suit.
Whatever.
