Ford, VW, and Mini among others have diesel versions of their cars which get fuel mileage above 50 mpg easily. But you won't see the Focus D, or the VW Polo in the US. The concensus seems to be Americans won't buy these versions at $2000 more than a gas version. In some cases the reasons are legitimate as the cars are not designed for US crash standards, and would be too expensive to redesign until the next generation.
All it would take is temporary legislation to allow these vehicles (maybe with the stipualtion that you can't sue the carmakers due to injury).
Meanwhile cars like the diesel Jettas are on backorder, and Toytota hybrids simply cannot be found on dealer lots. Honda has record profits selling cars the Big 3 won't make or at even sell in this country.
My little POS Del Sol I commute in regularly gets a combined 30 mpg, even with high revs practically trying to blow the thing up. You would be hard pressed to find that today in a gas-only new car. But you will have 250 horsepower though! Pretty sad.
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For 2009, there is only ONE rider in MotoGP who has never won a race in ANY world championship series... can you name him?
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