Diesel Car Sales Continue To Surge In Europe

Autoparts Report, May 3, 2001

Diesel car sales are soaring throughout Europe. In 1973, only 2.5 percent of new car sales were diesel models. By the end of 2001, this figure is expected to reach 30-40 percent, according to European auto analysts. Factors pushing this growth include government tax policies, which have greatly affected buying patterns.

"Eco-taxation" in particular favors diesel vehicles, which produce lower CO2, HCs and NOX emissions. Furthermore, excise duty has been consistently lower for diesel road fuel than for gas across Europe (except for the UK) since the early 90s.

Taxation issues aside, carmakers are now offering a wider range of diesel models, and advances in diesel fuel injection technology have made some diesels more desirable than equivalent gas models. What's more, specification improvements mean that modern diesel cars are now just as well equipped as their gas-powered competitors.