To demonstrate the benefits of diesel, Robert Bosch LLC recently hosted two clean diesel events in California.  A half-day Media Ride-and-Drive at the Irwindale Speedway, near Los Angeles, California, on January 31, 2006 and a Clean Diesel Symposium in Sacramento, California, on February 2, 2006, for transportation industry executives and representatives, environmentalists, policymakers and regulators. 

The Clean Diesel Media Ride-and-Drive provided media with the opportunity to drive clean diesel vehicles, learn about the benefits of modern clean diesel technology and understand the role of clean diesel vehicles for California’s consumers.  The event helped to build support for light-duty diesel as a viable solution for achieving California’s petroleum and emission reduction objectives.

The Clean Diesel Symposium provided transportation industry executives and representatives, environmentalists, policymakers and regulators a chance to discuss future opportunities for clean diesel passenger vehicles in California. 

Both events demonstrated the contributions the automotive industry is making to support California’s energy and environmental policy goals, showed how regulatory stability will help California achieve its petroleum reduction goals and communicate how ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel (ULSD) will enable ultra-clean diesel powertrain options for California consumers.

“With the new advancements in technology, diesel passenger vehicles are capable of meeting the strict emissions regulations of the California market,” said John Moulton, president, powertrain division, Robert Bosch LLC.  “In meeting these regulations, diesel passenger vehicles may offer significant advantages to consumers looking for alternative powertrains.”

Bosch has predicted that the U.S. market for light diesel vehicles will reach 15 percent over the next 10 years.

“Bosch will support this growth through continuing to provide advanced diesel engine technology, such as fuel injection and aftertreatment and engine management systems,” said Moulton.

In addition to Bosch, others from the industry including DaimlerChrysler Corporation, General Motors Corporation, Volkswagen AG, Honeywell International Incorporated, Corning Incorporated and Gale Banks Engineering participated in these events in California.