Diesels 20% of U.S. Market by 2020
DETROIT — About 20 percent of the vehicles in U.S. could run on diesel fuels by the end of the next decade, a panel of auto executives said here today at the SAE 2008 World Congress.
Panelists also expected hybrid technologies to be in about 10 percent of vehicles by 2020, as consumers’ thirst for fuel-sipping products continues.
The figures were suggested by BorgWarner CEO Tim Manganello, and the other panelists — including Ford product chief Derrick Kuzak and Ed Mantey, a Toyota engineering vice president — agreed with the forecast.
Manganello based his predictions on patterns in European markets, where consumers have long enjoyed diesel rides.
” Europe is a leading indicator for powertrain technology,” he said.
Meanwhile, Magna International Inc. co-CEO Don Walker suggested there could be as many as 765,000 hybrids on U.S. roads by 2013, though he expects diesels and other technologies to ultimately win out with consumers.
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