According to Wolfgang Steiger, Volkswagen is expecting diesels to account for the 30 percent of its U.S. sales by 2018. Steiger believes that rising fuel prices is making diesel powered vehicles more attractive to U.S. consumers.

Volkswagen stopped selling diesel cars in the U.S. last year in order to comply with U.S. emission standards for diesels. At that time, 15 percent of the German automaker’s U.S. sales were diesels.

“Returning this year with clean diesels in 50 U.S. States, we will immediately regain the 15 percent share,” Steiger said.

Volkswagen announced last month that it has completed its production of the BlueTDI turbo diesel engine and will unveil a Jetta BlueTDI for the U.S. later this year. Power comes from 2.0L engine that produces 140-hp and returns a fuel-economy of up to 60mpg.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)