the death of the diesel pickup

[J.BURCHFIELD]

I agree that it is a supply and demand problem but I still believe the oil companies are taking unfair advantage. I was an owner operator for 10 years, 1966 to 1976 so I have some understanding of the trucking industry. Trucking companies pass their problems on to the owner operators. I fared much better as a company driver. A lot of factories went south and overseas to get away from unions and in the 70s. If you did not have 25 tears seniority you did not have a truck driving job. I was fortunate to have the qualifications to get a decent job. Most ex-drivers had to accept much lower paying jobs. Those young enough retrained for better jobs. The law against discrimination was useless. If you were 50 or over, we will call you. I have been there done that. Any company that sees fit can take advantage of employees. Some of it is competition and some of it is greed. Thanks to our HEROES that came home in a coffin we all have the right to think and say what we please. Those of us with different experiences have different opinions. I would say that is normal. My experience tells me I am getting hosed at the pump. BEST WISHES TO ALL FOR 2008

 

[Skydiver]

Is it true that the crude oil from the APL. (Alaskan pipe line) never makes it to the USA ?

I heard it is sold to another country.

 

[rbattelle]

There is another factor we should consider when discussing the potential "death" of the light duty diesel truck - emissions.

Will the new emissions equipment kill the life expectancy of these vehicles?

Will it make the cost of the diesel option so high as to completely negate any possible economic advantage?

Will it finally equalize diesel and gasoline fuel economy?

Dark days for the diesel, indeed.

Ryan

 

[courierdog]

The Diesel Pickup is so dead! Go figure! I guess no one told Toyota, Nissan and Honda the Diesel Pickup is dead and not waste their money bring theirs to market.

 

[tgordon]

I agree with HBarlow. Fuel prices are based on world supply and demand. China and India are becoming mobilized and that increases demand. Also, the fact that virtually half of all new cars sold in Europe are diesel-powered has more to do with diesel demand than we Americans who choose to drive efficient, powerful diesel-powered pickups.

I agree with that, but how much does that have to do with our pump price ratio of gasoline to diesel, rather than the price of crude oil? IMHO it has more to do with the retooling to produce the wounderful ULSD they are cramming down our through, thank you tree hugger bunny lovers!



I read an article Yahoo posted that sombody wrote claiming diesel engines burned more fuel idleing than moving. I read their stated sources and called them out on it, they have yet to e-mail me back, or post any correction about it.

 

[HBarlow]

I agree with that, but how much does that have to do with our pump price ratio of gasoline to diesel, rather than the price of crude oil? IMHO it has more to do with the retooling to produce the wounderful ULSD they are cramming down our through, thank you tree hugger bunny lovers!

You are probably correct about the changeover to ULSD contributing to higher prices because it probably affects supply. Another factor that always causes the price of diesel fuel to rise during winter months is the fact that many homes in the New England states are heated with home heating oil which is essentially the same as #2 diesel fuel. Again, an increase in demand on diesel fuel in the US raises the price.

 

[DCreed]

they use the heating oil exuse every year. even when its a mild winter the price shoots up AND STAYS THERE! then its the increase in spring travels thats makes it go up then the 4th of july shut down then the labor day campers, ect, ect always an exuse to raise the price! I want to see actual production/consumption #s for a couple years on a graph that compares barrel cost to pump cost ratio.

 

[rbattelle]

they use the heating oil exuse every year. even when its a mild winter the price shoots up AND STAYS THERE!

It's like a joke now every year. I'm attaching my price/gallon data from my first fillup (4/3/03) to this past June (6/3/07).



Ryan

 

[EEdmondson]

Ryan, my line would be about 40 to 50 cents above yours and I've been lucky to avoid the peak prices.

 

[EEdmondson]

If our (USA) auto fleet was diesel instead of gas, we would be using 25 to 30% less fuel. Do you think the high price of diesel is the oil companies way of stopping demand for efficient diesel cars? In Europe most new cars are clean and quiet diesels. It was the gas cars that gassed me while I was riding my bike in Italy. What I'm trying to say is the high price of diesel keeps Americans in gas cars which keeps demand and prices (and profits) up.

 

[DCreed]

Its all a big political chess game. If the fuel is cheap Detroit produces large guzzler SUVs and advertizes luxury and if gas is expensive then hybrids and diesels sell. Whats funny is you dont see ads for what isnt selling to boost the market like most other products. Why is soda and beer so cheap if there is such demand? There is tremendous fuel demand but average production, and the govt. is STILL buying and holding billions of barrels of reserves.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Me too. I don't believe socialism can work.



Ryan

That pretty much depends on who's version of "work" you refer to! IF the general population continues to simply roll (or BEND!) over, and meekly accept what the government and the upper crust Capitalist/Liberals dish out, it will work out VERY well for those in government, and the wealthy Capitalist/Liberals.



But of course, as always, the lower and less powerful classes who meekly mewed and shrugged their shoulders - or possibly ENCOURAGED and supported the gradual takeover and surrender of their individual rights and liberties in the name of "Capitalism at it's BEST!", will certainly NOT benefit - any more than the peasants in Asia, or similar lower classes in other Socialized parts of the world...



If we don't like where we ARE, all we need do, is look at how we GOT here!



"IF you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you've got!"

 

[PPettit]

This has turned into a great thread! I remember the gas crises in both the '70s and '80s. As soon as diesel vehicles started to gain any level of popularity the price of diesel fuel shot up over the price of gasoline. My very casual observation would be that, yes, the oil companies are manipulating the prices.

What can we as individuals do about these prices? Not very much. If it really bothers us our only immediate recourse is to drive less and drive more economically.

 

[Dl5treez]

The oil & gas industry is the only business model I can think of where screwing up---refinery fires, holes with nothing in them, sinking platforms, "oopsy we forgot to fill those storage tanks", "oopsy we forgot to sonic check the whole line sorry for the leaks", and in general other idiotic manuvers--garner the company more net profits.





Don't do your job and make tons of cash because of it... ..... this might get me flamed, but oh well. The truth hurts.

 

[HBarlow]

It's still a free country. Why don't all you guys who don't like the oil companies buy your diesel fuel some where else?



Harvey

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

It's still a free country. Why don't all you guys who don't like the oil companies buy your diesel fuel some where else?



Harvey

Not a very helpful or practical solution when there are few, or NO, realistic alternatives - pretty much like the "Let them eat cake" suggestion of another time - and look at what happened to THAT helpful soul...

 

[J.BURCHFIELD]

Most of our problems were brought about by Pres. Nixon who took us off the Gold Standard. It was a temporary fix but he knew he would be gone before it could affect him. He was apparently so sinister he did not care about his children, grandchildren and those that would follow. Like it or not we are in a global economy. Foreign countries have no respect for our dollar. It is only worth what they think it is worth because that is all they will accept. We are now under their control. When the Diesel pick up dies it will be because the dollar has died. I keep hoping someone in charge will put us back on the Gold Standard but it seems those in charge are too busy grabbing what they can for themselves. Obviously this will continue until there is nothing more to grab. The couldn't care less attitude of the people will bankrupt this country. When they have to hunt, fish and grow their own vegetables will they realize what happened. No vehicles in the streets. Bicycles and push carts and people standing around trying to trade 5 chickens for 1 pig. That seems to be the direction we are heading in, I of course hope I am wrong. It is up to the voters that still vote but they have been brain washed with political lies.

 

[rbattelle]

It's still a free country. Why don't all you guys who don't like the oil companies buy your diesel fuel some where else?

For the record, I have no complaints against the oil companies. It's a free market, and they have every right to charge whatever they want for fuel.

I don't "blame" oil companies for the price of fuel. If I were an oil company, I'd probably charge even more than they do now, since demand for the product rises independent of price (for now).

I keep hoping someone in charge will put us back on the Gold Standard but it seems those in charge are too busy grabbing what they can for themselves.

Doesn't Ron Paul want to return us to the gold standard? Sounds good to me!

Ryan

 

[EEdmondson]

It's still a free country. Why don't all you guys who don't like the oil companies buy your diesel fuel some where else?



Harvey

Can you say, "oligopoly"? Oligopoly - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Do you think the current administration has anything to do with high oil prices? How many billions are in George's and Dick's Swiss bank accounts? Well maybe not billions but hundreds of millions.



BTW it's still cheaper to drive a diesel than an equivalent gas truck.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I don't "blame" oil companies for the price of fuel. If I were an oil company, I'd probably charge even more than they do now, since demand for the product rises independent of price (for now).

I suppose some folks who still consider fuels as only a discretionary, or non-critical and purely arbitrary expense, will continue to feel as you do...



Until a loaf of bread or box of cereal cost $100, due to high cost of the fuels needed to cultivate fields, plant and harvest the crop, transport the crops to and from the processor, then further process that into a finished product - and then on to the retailer...



Add that expense to ALL the other stuff we need to exist on a daily basis - and THEN listen to the cries of outrage and anguish as that former cavalier attitude faces the ultimate result of complacency and apathy - from the folks who didn't CARE about those costs - UNTIL it began to seriously affect THEM!



Here's a quote from a related thread here on TDR mostly commenting upon the inaction currently displayed by lawmakers:

Why would they want too? Think about it, EVERYTHING you buy, is effected by the price of Diesel. Everything gets shipped, the producers/manufactures are not gonna take a hit. So they raise their prices to acommodate their new fuel bill. The wholesalers and shippers aren't gonna take a hit so the price goes up again. The retailer ain't gonna take it so they add a little more and WE the consumer pay higher prices for everything we need/use/want. Now you ask how this all ties together... ... ... TAXES... . Yep Sales Tax is why the gov, any and all, Local State or Fed, Could Care Less that fuel prices have more than doubled in the last 5 years. They could Care Less that the price of everything we buy has doubled in the last 5 years. Sales Tax revenue has also doubled and they did not have to do a thing but let it happen. JMHO

IF we consumers aren't starting to get upset and angry at fuel costs NOW, when WILL we get angry and excited?



Get ENOUGH in our society excited and upset - and VOCAL, and then just MAYBE something will get done to correct the situation!