The market for diesel cars in western Europe: set for renewed growth?

摘要

In global terms western Europe is unique with its peak sales of diesel cars fostered by high regional petrol prices. New generation direct-injection (DI) diesels are also offering cleaner and more efficient power units with clean fuels enhancingimprovements further, along with the development of De-NOx (nitrogen oxide) catalysts. Forthcoming CO{sub}2 targets are set to boost diesel demand further to 2008. An apparent ceiling on diesel penetration of 50% still leaves ample potential for progressfrom the current levels of 22-23%, with growth most marked in the markets of southern Europe. PSA leads the European diesel market but Volkswagen is chasing hard, and there is a slowswitch to DI by Ford.