Survey Shows 70 Percent of Americans Have Never Driven a Diesel

By Manuel Carrillo III - November 12, 2013

Honeywell recently completed a survey that showed 70 percent of Americans had yet to drive a vehicle with a diesel engine.

Because the Ford F-150 is the best-selling passenger vehicle in the United States, if Ford offered one with a diesel, many more Americans would experience diesel technology.

In July we reported that Ford reaffirmed its stance against a diesel F-150. In that article’s comments section you fired back:

“It seems moronic not to offer a diesel option [….] Who wouldn’t want an F-150 that would get 25-30 mpg?” — Mike Naugle

“A small pickup with a four-banger diesel would sell like hotcakes on a cold morning.” — Dale Hellman

“I’d trade in my 2006 F-150 in a second. Instead it’ll probably sit on a [Ram] lot when their half-ton diesel comes to market. :(“ — Nathan Naugler

“Diesel is the only way to go. In other parts of the world, trucks have little diesels that get awesome fuel economy and go FOREVER, plus they add resale value. Four-cylinder Rangers in other parts of the world come with a Power Stroke. Come on, Ford. Give us what you give the rest of the world!” — Travis York

Ford says the initial price premium a consumer would pay for the diesel option takes too long to amortize. For example, the 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel is $2,800 dearer than a Ram with a Hemi. But not all diesels cost more. The diesel four-cylinder Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTec is the least-expensive E-Class you can buy, undercutting the gas-V6 E350 Benz by $500.

This leads us to some survey questions we have for you.