2014 chevy cruz diesel

[Scooby074]

Since Global Diesel compact trucks (that we cant get here) seem to be a topic that many of us like to discuss, maybe its own thread is in order?

I just made one and posted up a review of the Amarok by Aussie Top Gear *shudder* Compact Diesel trucks that we can't get here

 

[buickanddeere]

As much as I like to see stick tranis offered..... if I was a VP of Marketing at GM, I wouldn't be in a big hurry to try and take on VW directly - tough competetion in this sector.

That last design article I linked gives an indication of the marketing spin GM wants on the diesel Cruze - "It's a performance engine (agreed) that happens to get pretty decent fuel mileage".

As "spin" goes, I can live with that marketingeze (as it's true).

In this case, the "Take it for a test drive, and see what you think" strategy is a pretty good one..... torque is easy to sell !

Rgds, D.

What do you mean hesitant to take on VW with a diesel? I know it comes as a shock but there is a lot of world, people and market outside of the US.
GM has been in the light diesel truck and diesel car business for years competing against Toyota, VW, Mazda, Ford, Chrysler etc. ever been outside of the US to central and South America? Africa,Australia, Europe , Middle East and the Far East?

 

[buickanddeere]

Id love to know the percentage of VW owners in general who choose the stick. And what subset of diesel owners did as well. I bet its high.

Also love to see the breakdown of transmission choices for Canadians vs Americans

Canadians prefer the stick shifts as they resemble the dog sled whips we all use to motivate the dogs for six months of the year to get around in the snow.

 

[buickanddeere]

As for the cast iron vs. cast aluminum blocks. I've heard engineers say it takes a pound of aluminum to provide the strength of one pound of cast iron.

 

[newbury]

Maintenance - for cost reasons alone, a person would be wise to understand the price of changing the fluid in VW's DSG automatic. That, and it has to be done fairly often. Great design, but a lot of the fuel saving (vs. older automatics) is going to get chewed up by the service costs.

The price of changing the DSG is about $150 for fluids and filter. I just had my '09 done at the dealer for about $250. If "fairly often" is every 40K miles doing it yourself is not that difficult if you can measure the tranny temp w/ a $25 HF IR thermometer. And there is discussion that it can easily go to 50,000 miles.

When I first started to ask prices, in '09, the same dealership that charged me $250 was asking $400.

 

[3930dave]

What do you mean hesitant to take on VW with a diesel? I know it comes as a shock but there is a lot of world, people and market outside of the US.
GM has been in the light diesel truck and diesel car business for years competing against Toyota, VW, Mazda, Ford, Chrysler etc. ever been outside of the US to central and South America? Africa,Australia, Europe , Middle East and the Far East?

What I should have said was " ....if I was a VP of Marketing at GM, I wouldn't be in a big hurry to try and take on VW directly..... in the domestic USA market." The thought was in my mind, didn't make it to the keyboard..... unusual, as I'm often way too verbose !

I am "somewhat" aware of the performance/efficiency/cost effectiveness of the diesel platforms that Ford and GM deliver outside of of Canada and the USA. Read that statement to mean definitely more than the average consumer. My basic depth of knowledge in this area should be apparent from some of the ranting I've done in other threads, but in case not, I'll add:

With my present level of knowledge on this subject, I am already more than irritated enough that our gubmints won't allow Ford, GM, et al to market these highly efficient and cost effective diesel platforms that they deliver elsewhere in the world.

I consciously (honestly, I'm not trying to be funny) have forced myself to NOT heavily research what diesels are available elsewhere.

Pls believe me when I say, I'm already painfully aware of what diesel platforms are in volume production elsewhere in the world. Well, some of them are actually built in the USA, but for export only - so while they are made here, we just can't buy 'em.

I have no general issue with GM, we need those jobs here, and I want to see all of these manufacturers succeed with their new diesel offerings.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

The price of changing the DSG is about $150 for fluids and filter. I just had my '09 done at the dealer for about $250. If "fairly often" is every 40K miles doing it yourself is not that difficult if you can measure the tranny temp w/ a $25 HF IR thermometer. And there is discussion that it can easily go to 50,000 miles.

When I first started to ask prices, in '09, the same dealership that charged me $250 was asking $400.

Good to hear that the price has come down. I don't agree with the "lifetime fill" nonsense some companies have marketed for their automatics, but yes, 40k does seem low to me. I'd do it at that interval if I owned one, but I'm willing to bet many VW owners are going to drive a lot longer than that.

Not picking on VW owners, I view most owners of automatics the same way (TBN'ers and other gearheads aside), as many don't pay any attention to transmission maintenance.

Maintenance interval aside, the DSG is a technically impressive design.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Since Global Diesel compact trucks (that we cant get here) seem to be a topic that many of us like to discuss, maybe its own thread is in order?

I just made one and posted up a review of the Amarok by Aussie Top Gear *shudder* Compact Diesel trucks that we can't get here

:drool::drool::drool::drool::drool::drool::drool::drool:

PM me your mailing address Jason, I need to send you a dry cleaning bill !

That will be a fun thread, thanks for setting that up.

Sending extra Scooby snacks your way.......... :cheese:opcorntub::beer::burger:

Rgds, D.

 

[Scooby074]

*Scooby Doo voice on* Rooby Racks.... Ri Rove Rooby Racks *Scooby voice off*

:thumbsup:

Hopefully that thread will develop into something. Maybe, just maybe, it will catch the eyes of somebody "important" in the auto industry. Not that they'd be ones to listen

 

[3930dave]

*Scooby Doo voice on* Rooby Racks.... Ri Rove Rooby Racks *Scooby voice off*

:thumbsup:

Hopefully that thread will develop into something. Maybe, just maybe, it will catch the eyes of somebody "important" in the auto industry. Not that they'd be ones to listen

Well, the more noise we make.... can't hurt.

There are proabably Marketing and Engineering advocates within the car companies that would dearly love to roll those out here. Not to trivialize building a Marketing Case, but IMO, the biggest impediments domestically are in the government sector, and the oil companies.

Rgds, D.