It would be a vast understatement to say sales are hurting for diesel passenger cars. Especially that of the Volkswagen and Audi variety. Amongst emissions scandals and cheap fuel prices, sales of their diesel passenger cars were limited to 200 in January. This is less than uber luxury car makers Bentley and Rolls-Royce sell in a given month and one-twentieth as many as they sold a year ago. When times are tough like this, it’s time to jump the shark.
VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI MUST GO GREEN
Last September the EPA caught Volkswagen red handed in a little scandal. Long story short, the company knew when they were being tested for emissions and when they weren’t. When they didn’t pick up any sensors, Volkswagen backed off on pollution controls and we saw nitrogen oxide at up to 40 times the U.S limit. Since then, Audi and VW’s all over the country were recalled. Now, Americans can’t buy an Audi or Volkswagen diesel at all. The two companies have no other choice but to go green or else they will see their sales continue to dwindle.
THE DAYS OF DIESEL ARE DONE
Thanks to the shenanigans of Volkswagen and Audi, the days of diesel in the U.S are numbered. It’s too bad because diesel did have its benefits. Diesel goes farther on a tank of fuel and get better mileage than the same car with a gas engine. When gas prices were way up by the $4 a gallon mark, this almost made diesel seem reasonable. VW and Audi were enjoying nice profits then, but the tides have turned. A gallon of regular gas is now $1.73. In a Honda Civic, that gets you about 300 miles on just $16. Not by coincidence, the latest Honda Civic is a best seller. It’s a perfect storm destined to destroy diesel, and it’s taking others down with it.
SHADOW CAST OVER GERMAN AUTOMAKERS
In the eyes of the U.S, German automakers aren’t exactly honorable at the moment. Whether they still make a quality product is beside the point. It seems that the only way for Germany to get out of this polluted shadow they have cast is to go green. Americans want efficiency these days. Fuel efficient cars are selling better than ever. Even Tesla is starting to become a more affordable car. It seems that the future of cars will rely on their ability to go green. If Germany can adapt, they will stay in the race. If not, it could mark the end of an empire.
