PLYMOUTH, Mich., Nov. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ –Leading global developer of automotive turbochargers Honeywell, announced  the results of a recent survey stating that 70 percent of Americans have never driven a diesel-powered vehicle (73 percent of those are Millennials, under the age of 35, who have never driven a diesel-powered truck or car. However, 56 percent recognize that running diesel fuel is more fuel efficient than using gasoline.

Despite this lack of diesel driving experience, consumers were not only aware of the diesel engine’s benefits, including the fact that diesel engines can produce more power than traditional gasoline engines (65 percent). Nearly three in five adults (59 percent), and more than half of Millennials (56 percent), said they believe running diesel fuel is more fuel efficient than gasoline.

According to Honeywell Transportation Systems President and CEO Terrence Hahn, “Turbodiesels and downsized turbocharged gasoline engines provide both automakers and consumers a no-compromise solution of greater fuel economy and performance with the added benefit of being more environmentally-friendly.” Turbocharged diesel engines, therefore, have the opportunity to greatly impact today’s younger car buyer.

Modern diesel passenger-car engines in the U.S. are all turbocharged. Honeywell turbodiesels boost a wide range of light vehicles — from bi-cylinder 0.8L engines to 7.0L pick-up trucks. The survey indicated:

  • While not often considered a factor in the driving experience, fuel economy (23 percent) was ranked the second most important factor for Americans when determining whether a car is fun to drive – behind only good handling (47 percent).
  • When Millennials determine whether a car is fun to drive, they are more likely to say fuel economy (23 percent) contributes to this than either speed (16 percent) or horsepower (8 percent).
  • Nearly two-thirds of Americans (65 percent) said they believe diesel engines can output more power than traditional gasoline powered vehicles.

For the U.S., Honeywell has doubled its estimate for diesel sales penetration by 2018, to 6 percent from 3 percent. By 2018, diesel and gasoline turbo engines combined are expected to account for about 20 to 25 percent of U.S. new-vehicle sales.

For more information, visit Honeywe http://turbo.honeywell.com or follow us on Twitter at @honeywell_turbo.