GM to change whygas.com to whygasengines.com "to better match the site's purpose"
This post is not meant to say anything bad about GM, in fact, I believe that GM has been doing a pretty good job lately of cleaning up their act. I guess history is hard to forget, though, because GM has taken some flak recently due to the name of one of their websites: whygas.com
This site will soon be changed to whygasengines.com to better "match the site's purpose," according to Greg Martin, a spokesman for GM, acknowledging "the irony of the name." The site uses quotes such as "Our Gas Engine. Powerfully cost-effective" and "the advantages of gas. Why gas? Learn more".
The site says the "Advantages of Gas" are:
- Gasoline engines cost less than diesel engines
- Gasoline is more readily available
- Quiet Operation
- Good solution for lower-mileage applications
- Easy to service
- Fast cab heater warm-up
However, the site also shows the better emissions of their newest diesel engines as compared to their earlier efforts. But, understandably due to the mission of the site, it does not mention any drawbacks of gasoline engines.
Gasoline engines are being promoted by GM in some of their medium duty applications, and the engine cited is usually their Vortec 8.1 liter giant. I think that this goes on to prove what I said in my recent editorial: All carmakers will build and advertise what sells in a specific market. This includes large gasoline-burning eight cylinder engines in trucks from GM, Ford, Toyota and Nissan... and that's not likely to change any time soon.
[Source: Whygas.com via Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Howard Lee Harkness 10:15AM (1/19/2007)
None of the reasons given for the dominance of gasoline engines are compelling. Initially, gas engine production was much easier because the technology (metallurgy, mostly) was cheaper and lighter. Diesel technology has made great strides in the past 100 years, similar in magnitude to the advances in gas engines.
"Gasoline engines cost less than diesel engines"
Due to higher compression required, diesels will always be heavier and more sturdy, and cost a little more. More than offset by the greater efficiency and much longer useful life of a diesel engine (which is why long-haul OTR trucks don't use gasoline engines). With greater demand and newer technologies, some of the cost difference can be expected to go away.
"Gasoline is more readily available"
Gasoline yields were boosted significantly several decades ago by a process called "cracking", where the long-chain paraffins are broken with pressure and heat in the presence of various catalysts, then fractionally distilled in "cracking towers". The cracking process can be adjusted by choice of type of cracking, temperature, pressure, and type of catalysts to skew the yields to either longer-chain or shorter-chain paraffins, so the "more readily available" is purely a function of relative demand.
"Quiet Operation"
There have been some significant advances in this area. A diesel hybrid, where the diesel engine runs at constant load and rpm, can be tuned to run very efficiently and quietly. For constant rpm, active noise cancellation is trivial.
"Good solution for lower-mileage applications"
A diesel PHEV, or even straight ("pure") EV, would be much better.
"Easy to service"
A function of training and proper tools. Properly maintained diesel engines (especially if run at constant load and rpm) require less maintenance than gasoline engines anyway.
"Fast cab heater warm-up"
In a PHEV, this is a non-issue.
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Bill Maher is an Idiot 10:42PM (1/19/2007)
Too bad diesel will never catch on. The end.
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Tim Plaehn 6:22PM (1/22/2007)
In this class of trucks you are comparing slightly different Diesels than in your BMWs. Base Diesels put out 200 hp and cost $12k with the new emissions. The Vortec 8.1 has 295 hp and is a nice driving truck with an Allison automatic transmission.
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SAL PIAZZA 6:36PM (1/30/2007)
DOES GM HAVE ANY PLANS TO INTRODUCE A HYBRID SAVANNA VAN IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
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curt 6:59PM (3/19/2007)
Well the Oil companies and Auto companies are not telling the whole truth! Diesel fuel is cheaper to make and gives you more power per gallon of fuel. It is also more efficent than gas. Gasoline cost more to refine and also gives less miles per gallon then a diesel equally equipted vehicle.I personnally don't beleive a gallon of diesel cost 2.75 per gallon to market nor do I belive it is the high demand for the product. It's just Big Oil trying to get rid of the little guys and its the Auto makers trying to waver us to forget about the diesel high fuel mileage, and buy gas engines. Because they are cheaper to build and much more profitable in volume. Believe what you what the auto companies and oil companies are controlling the economy!
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