Having read that, I think it's pretty safe to assume that you've never owned your own small diesel transportation; personal or work. I've been driving diesel cars and pickups since 1981. In fact my 1985 Mercedes 300CD Turbo coupe is still a 31 mpg daily driver - despite over 260,000 miles on the clock. I also have a 2006 E-class that has already delivered 39.6 mpg at 75 mph with the A/C on. A neighbor has a Dodge dually diesel that gets 19mpg towing a 24' cattle trailer to market.

On the flip side, I've got a HD2500 Chevy 4x4 (gas) that can't get 13mpg downhill with the wind. Whenever I've been in the market for a replacement pickup, there's never any diesels available in my price range. A half ton diesel with the right running gear, should be easily capable of equaling - if not bettering - a 3/4 ton Detroit gasser.

History and testament aside, I'd welcome a 1/2 ton diesel pickup in the American market. I've been disappointed for years that Detroit hasn't seen fit to fill that void. If it has to be a foreign supplier, so be it. Seems that's what it takes to get Detroit off their ass anyway. Volkswagen and Mercedes diesels have been bullet-proof for years. No reason either would want to depart from that legacy now.

//greg//

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