Today in California gas prices hit a new record with an average price of $3.41 a gallon. Now I’m sure some of the international readers are thinking “Wow! That’s cheap!”, but we here in the States aren’t used to it. The craziest part is that we’re still not driving any less. This means get ready for price hikes on almost everything especially food. Anyone wanna take a guess at what Exxon’s new record profits will hit this time?
On the plus side I’m sure I’ll get a flurry of new stories to post on though as this always brings attention back to diesels. Things could be different too because people are no longer as disallusioned by hybrids as they once were. If you’re selling your diesel I’m sure you’ll be able to put a nice premium on the selling price. But why would you want to sell it right now?!
Conversely if you’re in the market for a new or used diesel……..buy soon.
According to CNNMoney, Mercedes’ only diesel sedan will soon be phased out. Though diesel continues to look like a better and better option in the US, to meet emissions standards, most companies will be starting out with heavier vehicles like diesel powered SUVs. The heavier vehicles have easier emissions standards.
The M-class, R-class, and GL-class oilburners are still set to launch soon which is still great news for diesels in general, but I was looking forward to sometime upgrading to the E320 from my Jetta. I can only venture to guess that the issue has to do with emissions. The EPA has issued guidelines for the ADBlue urea SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) systems, but I believe some things still have yet to be settled, such as what happens when the ADBlue solution runs out.
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From just-auto.com
The new ZF ‘8HP’ transmission will, like its 5HP and 6HP predecessors, be used in passenger car applications with longitudinally mounted engines, and rear-wheel or all-wheel drive configurations. It will, therefore, be no surprise to learn that the 1st application for the 8HP will be the new BMW 7-Series [F01], which CSM Worldwide is currently forecasting to launch in late 2008, rather than 2010.
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From chicagotribune.com
Navistar International Corp. disclosed this afternoon that it has amended its breach-of-contract complaint against Ford Motor Co. over a crucial contract under which Navistar supplies Ford with diesel engines.
The amended suit notes recent rumors that Ford may be planning to develop its own diesel engine — and it stresses that Navistar will seek $2 billion in damages if Ford tries to end its current purchase contract before it expires in 2012.
The Detroit automaker and Warrenville-based Navistar have been locked in an unusually public contract dispute since January.
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