We’ve been seeing more diesel-powered vehicles on the market, but almost all are from European automakers. And news reports now indicate that many plans for any non-European diesels in the U.S. have been canceled. (See our video report from the 2008 Detroit auto show, when the future looked brighter for diesels in the States.) These shelved plans include diesel engine options for the Acura TSX, Chevrolet Silverado (and-or its twin, the GMC Sierra), Dodge Ram, Ford F-150, Nissan Maxima, and an unnamed Toyota model.

Some analysts have blamed the production changes on the added expense of diesel emissions equipment and on volatile diesel fuel prices—now $2.13 below this time last year. New Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) ratings that emphasize city driving also undermine a key diesel selling point—highway efficiency. (In our tests we have found that diesels offer an average fuel savings of 30 percent on the highway.)

Meanwhile, according to Automotive News Volkswagen reports sales of its Jetta diesel models have accelerated from 30 percent of overall Jetta sales last month to more than 36 percent this month. Plus, a whopping 83 percent of Jetta Sportwagens are sold with diesels.

Now BMW is planning to expand its diesel range even further with a new small SUV, the X1.

What do you think? Would you consider a diesel for your next car? Give us your take in the Comments section below.

Read: "Diesel power just in: Mercedes GL320, BMW X5 3.0 diesel, BMW 335d."

—Eric Evarts