GM sees its diesel cars on the roads in North America by 2010. The North American car buyers have not been kind to diesel cars in the past. GM learnt this the hard way with Cadillac’s ill-fated tryst with diesel cars in the late 70s and early 80s.

The company believes the picture has now changed. Sky-high cost of petrol and better performance available from the diesel engines (as compared to their past), may very well see the diesel cars selling. The latest generation diesel engines, developed in Europe are smooth, powerful and rich in torque. Extra clean diesel engines are also capable of overcoming the extremely tough emission norms that are likely to be enforced soon.

The latest generation of diesel engines feature piezoelectric injectors and variable geometry turbochargers. Diesel engines are in a position to compete with petrol engines, and they go easy on the wallet.

Cars featuring diesel engines will come bearing Cadillac’s crest. GM will likely take advantage of its latest purchase, a 50% stake in VM Motori to build engines for the upcoming diesels.

USA is ready to enforce the world’s strictest regulations on nitrous oxides and particulate matter emission for cars coming in model year 2008. GM is not very enthusiastic about the idea of using clean diesel engines to boost fuel economy, saying the cost of development is high.

Nevertheless, GM has joined the diesel bandwagon, which already has a number of major automakers and many more planning to stage an entry into the diesel arena. Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz are already bringing out models with diesel engines and Hyundai, Honda, BMW and Subaru are speculated to join it by the end of this decade.

Of the major automakers, Toyota has not shown interest in the diesel sector, deciding to concentrate on the hybrid cars sector. Ford has decided to continue with its twin-force engines.

GM may unveil a diesel engine at the Frankfurt auto show in September. And if all goes well, we may see diesel cars from GM running in North America by 2008. For the moment, let’s just hope that the diesel cars coming up don’t meet the same fate as their predecessors in North America.

[Via: Cars-Blog.ca]84367