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Ricardo Predicts Rapid Expansion in US Light-Duty Diesel Market
29 June 2005
Automotive technology consultant, researcher and provider Ricardo has released its 2005 Ricardo Diesel Report.
This year’s edition predicts a significant rise in US light-duty diesel market penetration over the coming decade. Sales in the light-duty vehicle segment (up to 8,500 pounds gross vehicle weight) are projected to grow from a mere 43,000 units last year to more than 1 million units annually by 2012, rising to 1.5 million by 2015.
Those projections are approximately in agreement with the projections released by J.D. Power earlier in the week for a diesel sales share of 7.5% in 2012.
While diesel already enjoys a market penetration of over 56% in the US premium light truck sector (between 3/4 and 1 capacity) cost remains a major issue for passenger cars, light trucks and SUVs.
Ricardo, as a technology developer, and others are working on cost-effective ways to reduce engine-out emissions as well as in the development of more effective aftertreatment devices. Ricardo predicts that a rapid increase in diesel sales will follow as such devices become both readily available and affordable to the consumer from 2009 onwards.
Elsewhere, the global growth of light-duty diesel sales continues, with 2004 posting the largest volume increase for a decade. The sales ratio of diesel to gasoline vehicles for the larger manufacturers continues to grow, led by Volkswagen which now reports more than 60% of its European car sales as diesels.
In Western Europe, diesel car sales in 2004 continued to flourish in all of the major national markets, with overall penetration reaching a record level of over 48% and with no immediate sign of a slow down. In the context of a marginally strengthening passenger car market in Western Europe compared with that of 2003, a 5.4% decrease in gasoline sales was more than offset by an 11.9% increase in diesel sales.
Among its many worldwide projects, Ricardo is working with Ford and Valeo on a hybrid diesel delivery van in the UK (earlier post); performed simulation and analysis on hydraulic hybrid systems (earlier post);, is working with Citroën on another diesel-hybrid (earlier post); and is developing a new, more fuel-efficient gasoline engine concept (earlier post).
June 29, 2005 in Diesel, Market Background | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (2)
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» wow, another study showing growth in diesel light truck sales from B100 Fuel, living on BioDiesel
let's hope Ricardo knows what they are talking about. Green Car Congress: Ricardo Predicts Rapid Expansion in US Light-Duty Diesel Market. Growth from 43,000 units to 1.5M in 2015. How many would you guess are going to be running biodiesel?... [Read More]
Tracked on Jul 2, 2005 11:37:47 PM
» Diesel in Europe 48% of all cars and.. from Seattle Biofuels
No end in sight: Green Car Congress: Ricardo Predicts Rapid Expansion in US Light-Duty Diesel Market. US Light truck sales of diesels are expected to grow from 43,000 units this year to 1.5M in 2015. How many do you think... [Read More]
Tracked on Jul 2, 2005 11:40:21 PM
