Honda Motor Co., Japan's second- largest carmaker, plans to sell large vehicles using a low- emission V-6 diesel engine in North America starting in 2010, Nikkei English News reported.
The company is developing the 3.5-liter diesel engine that will help vehicles be as much as 30 percent more fuel efficient than those powered by gasoline, the news service reported. Diesel engines also emit about 20 percent less carbon dioxide, though they release harmful nitrogen oxides and particulates.
Honda plans to introduce the engine first in the Odyssey minivan and may also do so in the Pilot sport utility vehicle, the Ridgeline pickup truck, and the luxury Acura line, Nikkei reported. The engine will help Honda compete against diesel models from DaimlerChrysler AG, BMW AG and Volkswagen AG, the news service said.
Toyota Motor Corp. is the largest automaker in Japan.
