Chevrolet Prepping US for Diesel Cruze in 2013

Diesel passenger cars have not been popular in the US until very recently. While Ford, General Motors and Chrysler all offer diesels in their large pickup trucks, diesel passenger cars in the US have been limited to VW, Audi, Mercedes, BMW and later this year Porsche. However, Chevrolet appears to think that the popularity has reached a high enough level to offer a diesel version of the Cruze in the US starting in 2013. 

The Cruze diesel will use the same 2.0 liter diesel engine found in Europe with 161hp and 266lb-ft of torque. It is rated at 32mpg US in the city and 56mpg US on the highway. Although, these numbers are conversions from the UK fuel economy tests; the US EPA tests could certify the fuel economy differently. However, it is still significantly better than the 28mpg city and 42mpg highway that the most efficient current Cruze in the US. 

“Small displacement diesel engines could fill an important niche in Chevrolet’s diverse four-cylinder lineup. We recognize this technology’s considerable appeal, particularly with young male car buyers, and we are ready to win them over with quality, torque and fuel economy,” said Mike Weidman, Cruze marketing manager.

Diesel vehicles currently make up 3% of the US car market, but that is a 35% increase from the first quarter of 2011 to the first quarter of 2012. They grew 27% from 2010 to 2011 as well. GM predicts diesels could be 6% of the US car market by 2015. 

The Cruze is GM's best selling global vehicle and among the best selling cars in the US. It sold 231,732 of them in the US in 2011.