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As Americans Yawn at Hybrids, It May Be Diesel's Turn to Shine (Forbes)
American consumers are boosting their interest in -- and loyalty to -- clean-
diesel engines at the same time they're demonstrating more and more
indifference to hybrids. "Repurchase loyalty" for diesel powertrains increased
by nearly 10 percentage points last year compared with 2008 while consumer
repurchase rates for hybrid technology remained about flat at 35 percent,
according to new data compiled by R.L. Polk. Diesel's jump in repurchase
loyalty as measured by Polk hasn't been reported, while news about hybrid-
repurchase trends was widespread yesterday. Diesel-repurchase loyalty was up
by about 9 percentage points over the three years, to 28 percent last year
from 19 percent in 2008, reported the Southfield, Mich.-based auto-research
firm. Meantime, the repurchase rate for diesels, as previously reported on
Forbes.com, fell to 35 percent last year, back to about where it was in 2008
after a two-year rise that peaked at nearly 40 percent in 2009. "Diesel
represents a high-fuel-economy alternative," Brad Smith, director of Polk's
loyalty-management practice, told me. "Diesel prices are still pretty high,
but the increased range you get, as well as some longevity factors with diesel
powertrains, create some opportunities to retain loyalty for the diesel type."
And ...
Heavy Duty Auto Dolly Demonstration: 1967 Lamborghini