General Motors Getting Into Diesels in a Major Way for U.S. Cadillacs and Saturns

General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said the automaker is getting into diesels for the U.S. market. GM will bring out a V6 diesel for crossover vehicles and a V8 for SUVs and, says Lutz, "We will be introducing diesel passenger cars in the U.S."

Speaking on an Internet video on GM's Fastlane blog, Lutz said going to diesel engines is not a quick fix for fuel-economy issues, saying, "I wish it were that simple." He pointed out that U.S. emissions standards are expensive to meet and that diesel engine regulations are tougher in the United States than in Europe. Lutz also said GM diesels are not expected to be California regulations-compliant.

Automotive News, citing supplier sources, says GM will show a diesel engine at the Frankfurt auto show in September on the Opel Vectra e-flex powertrain, which has a rechargeable battery pack that powers an electric motor. The paper also reported that the same engine will be shown on a Saturn — probably the Aura — at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show next January. Reportedly GM diesels are expected to appear in the future Cadillac CTS and the next-generation Saturn Aura in the U.S.