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Audi Drops Diesel Option on U.S. A4 Sedan

Audi AG has abandoned plans to offer a 4-cylinder diesel option for U.S. versions of its redesigned A4 sedan, which will debut in April.

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Audi AG has abandoned plans to offer a 4-cylinder diesel option for U.S. versions of its redesigned A4 sedan, which will debut in April.

Audi of America President Scott Keogh tells Automotive News the decision was driven by previously low take rates in the U.S. for diesel-powered sedans and not because of parent company Volkswagen AG’s diesel emission scandal.

“The marketplace told us, ‘go with SUVs,’” where diesels are far more popular, Keogh says. Audi estimated about 7% of its sedan buyers opted for diesels in the first half of 2015 compared with sales rates of 12% for the Q5 small crossover and almost 22% for the midsize Q7 crossover.

For now, Audi, Porsche and VW have been banned by the Environmental Protection Agency from selling any diesels in the U.S. The ban will be lifted when VW reaches agreement with the agency and Dept. of Justice about fixing some 580,000 diesels rigged to sidestep emission laws.

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