VW scandal can't keep GM away from German diesel

You'd think the words "German diesel" would kill a U.S. marketing campaign, but General Motors disagrees. Despite VW's woes, Chevrolet intends to play up the German origins of the diesel engine scheduled for the new Cruze in early 2017.

In the U.S., the 1.6-liter engine will be known as the Flustern diesel, using the German word for "whisper," GM head of powertrain Dan Nicholson said.

"We use the German word because even in the U.S., it shows our German heritage."

The engine was developed by GM subsidiary Opel in Germany and in GM's powertrain facility in Turin.

"Having worked in Germany for five years, I don't think this latest incident from VW disparages all of German engineering. I think quite the opposite," Nicholson said. 

The Cruze diesel already powers several European models, including the Opel Mokka subcompact SUV and Astra compact. Nicholson believes customers will be reassured the engine comes from the epicenter of diesel technology. "We want people to know two things: one, it's European; two, it's quiet," he said.