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As I’ve said on previous posts regarding the Volt..if GM is so convinced this turkey is the future of automobiles, why is it introducing a diesel version of the Chevy Cruze in the U.S. market? For roughly half the price of the Volt, the Cruze diesel will get an estimated 50 mpg on the highway, and the diesel engine should pay for itself in 18 months. Compare that to the years it takes to “break even” on high-priced hybrids like the Volt.

Building the Volt was clearly part of the bail-out deal, and it will last as long as Obama’s in office. If he’s voted out in November (not long after the Cruze diesel arrives in showrooms), then GM will start looking for ways to get rid of the Volt. They ought to try honesty: no one wants hybrids masquerading as electric card, particularly when they come with a $41,000 price tag.

I’ll be in the market for a new car later this year, and I plan to look closely at the Cruze Diesel and the various diesel models from VW. Both are much more cost-effective options than a vanity car like the Volt. Incidentally, the diesel version of the Cruze sold 33,000 units world-wide the first year it was available. Those aren’t spectacular numbers, but the car wasn’t available in the most important market—North America. And even with sales of 33,000 cars, the Cruze Diesel out-sold the Volt by something like a 30:1 ratio.

Even GM can understand that calculus. Plenty of folks at Government Motors would love to kill the Volt, and they’re just waiting for the opportunity. That’s why Obama’s election defeat will be a “three-fer.” With one election, we can get rid of the anointed one, the Chevy Volt, and Bob Lutz.

I’m not up on the Cruze diesel but I believe GM’s been working to meet EPA standards to be able to sell it here.

I think the Cruze Eco gets over 40 mpg on the road which isn’t too shabby and would be quite economical. Don’t know about performance but they’re selling pretty well.