It has been claimed that the production of diesel-powered vehicles across Europe will rise considerably in the next five years.

According to forecasts by Tier 1 supplier Tenneco, around two thirds of the continent's new cars will be powered by diesel by 2010.

Tennneco president Mark Frissora explained to Auto Industry that the current debate surrounding particulate filters will soon come to an end, and diesel will be seen as the future for the majority of the automobile industry.

That is because, as the concerns over emissions grow, and targets on reducing emissions become ever more stringent, diesel appears more able to reduce harmful emissions than any other form of fossil fuel used in vehicles.

Particulate filter sales are expected to grow significantly, by Tenneco, to three million in 2007, followed by another jump to 8.2 million by 2010.

Mr Frissora's comments come in the wake of similar sentiments expressed in the US by Ford's chief operating officer, Jim Padilla, who recently suggested that diesel could take off in the pickup sector.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd