GM Plans Fuel-Efficient Turbo Diesel Engine

General Motors Corp. said it would introduce a new V-8 turbocharged diesel engine as early as the 2010 model year that would improve the fuel efficiency of its light-duty pickup trucks in the U.S. by 25%.

The diesel will be able to meet stringent California emissions standards, enabling GM to sell diesel-equipped light-duty trucks -- and sport utility vehicles, if desired -- in all 50 states.

GM’s announcement comes just days after Ford Motor Co. said it would have a new “clean” diesel with 50-state emissions compliance for its Super Duty F-Series pickups this year.

This would be GM’s first light-duty diesel since its problem-plagued effort to convert gasoline engines to diesel for passenger cars in the late 1970s.

-- John O’Dell