Currently in Japan, there is a trend running against diesel engines that reveals itself in "diesel bashing" and in the enforcement of stricter emission regulations. In Europe, by contrast, diesel engines are now so popular as to be essential in preventing overall car sales from slumping, with the result that the various auto manufacturers are rushing to develop sufficient numbers of vehicles equipped with diesel engines for their lineups.
In recent years the popularity of European vehicles has been growing in Japan. However, little is known in Japan about the European diesel market. In the following explanation, the author attempts to describe the current trends in the European diesel market, centering on Germany, and introduces Isuzu engineers who are playing an active role in this field.