GM plans diesel engine for 2009 - 08/25/06 - The Detroit News Online: "MILFORD -- General Motors Corp. one-upped rivals Thursday by revealing plans to offer a fuel-efficient diesel engine for its full-size pickups within three years, a move that competitors in the cutthroat pickup market may be forced to match if gas prices continue to rise.

GM said its new V-8 turbo-diesel will be 25 percent more fuel-efficient than a comparable gasoline engine and hinted the motor could also wind up in a range of vehicles besides pickups. But the engine won't be on the market until after 2009, GM said.

During a media briefing Thursday at GM's Milford Proving Grounds, company officials stressed the importance of diesel engines as part of a broad strategy to address growing consumer anxiety over high fuel prices."