Diesel cars gain interest, says Bosch

Koreans’ demand for eco-friendly diesel-fueled vehicles is picking up gradually as more drivers have become more environmentally conscious than ever, Park Yung-hu, president of Robert Bosch Korea’s Diesel System Division, said yesterday.

“Until recently diesel-powered cars only accounted for 2 percent of the entire sedan market share but the figure has grown to 6 percent in Korea,” Park said in a press conference at Grand Intercontinental Hotel in southern Seoul. “When sports utility vehicles are included this figure goes up to 26 percent.”

Park pointed out diesel-fueled cars already make up more than 50 percent of sales on the European passenger car market and Koreans will slowly accept trend although Koreans still favor gasoline, diesel and LPG engines, in that order.

This was evidenced when Korea’s leading automakers including Hyundai Motor have rolled other diesel-engine supported cars including i40 and i30 hatchbacks.

A survey released by Robert Bosch Korea yesterday showed 52.3 percent of consumers said they’re willing to buy clean diesel cars, 8.6 percent up from November 2010, while 18 percent said they’re not interested in buying clean diesel cars.

The company surveyed 1,013 drivers aged between 20 and 59 in six metropolitan areas from January to February.
By Kim Mi-ju [mijukim@joongang.co.kr ]