Peugeot announced October 19 the commercial launch of sales of the “world’s first” diesel-electric hybrid passenger vehicle (the “3008 Hybrid4”) in Europe.

Volkswagen on October 21 announced the launch of the “third generation” of the iconic “New Beetle” car for Europe and North America, including a 2.0-liter TDI (diesel) version for the North American market starting in mid-2012.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) announced October 14 that it has developed a new diesel-powered bulk carrier ship that enables a reduction in carbon-dioxide (CO2) emissions by about 25% compared with conventional bulk carriers.

MAN announced October 21 that it is planning the largest investment program in its 30-year history, with more than €400 million (US$ million) going into expanding Latin America truck production capacity, as well as in research and development between 2012 and 2016.

Caterpillar announced October 19 that the European Commission (EC) has approved Cat’s €580-million (US$800-million) acquisition of MWM Holding from 3i and funds managed by 3i.

Tognum announced October 17 that an internal investigation of agent contracts with Asian sales partners of its MTU Asia division has turned up irregularities.

GE Energy announced October 11 that it has now installed 120 shore-power (“cold ironing”) connections for giant inland waterway barges (typically diesel-powered) at the giant Port of Rotterdam.

Daimler Trucks North American (DTNA) announced October 17 that it is renaming its Detroit Diesel Corp. (DDC) subsidiary engines and powertrain components to the “Detroit” brand.

MAN Truck & Bus announced October 20 that it won a contract to deliver 2,188 engines to the Russian bus manufacturer LIAZ (Likinski Awtobusny Zawod), a subsidiary of the GAZ Group, Russia’s biggest automobile company.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on October 17 announced a recall of 2011 model-year Mercedes-Benz diesel cars because of a faulty fuel filter that could leak and potentially cause fires.

According to an October 18 report from AutoGuide.com Chrysler plans to expand diesel engine offerings to “most” of its large vehicles starting with the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The International Energy Agency’s latest Oil Market Report (released October 12) once again trims its forecast for global oil demand in 2011 thanks to economic trouble signs and “significant downside risks.”

San Francisco – Siemens is teaming up with Shenhua Ningxia Coal Group (SNCG) on a large coal-to-liquids (CTL) Fischer-Tropsch (FT) diesel plant in China – assuming that the government’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) gives final approval.

India’s state-owned refiner-retailers – Indian Oil Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp. and Hindustan Petroleum Corp. – racked up losses totaling US$4.36 billion on sales of government price-controlled diesel, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in fiscal second-quarter 2011 ended September 30.

Baard Energy announced October 14 that it will abandon its proposed “Ohio River Clean Fuels” coal/biomass to liquids (CBTL) project, with the result that lead financier Planck Trading Solutions instead will convert the former CBTL project to a much-lower-cost gas-to-liquids (GTL) scheme.

Showa Shell announced October 18 that it will boost sales of its gas-to-liquids (GTL) kerosene fuel in Japan, touting lower odor emissions than conventional crude-based kerosene.

ThyssenKrupp Uhde announced October 10 that it signed a license agreement allowing Portugal-based SGC Energia (SGCE) to employ Uhde’s “Prenflo PDQ” coal-gasification technology for multiple coal-to-liquids (CTL) projects, starting initially in Mozambique.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) on October 12 released a report showing that homeowners in the U.S. Northeast are accelerating conversions from heating oil (gasoil) to natural gas, thanks to a huge and growing price difference between the two fuels.

Total demand for diesel fuel in India has for many years exceeded that of gasoline. But strong growth in the diesel private car fleet in recent years has now resulted in the demand growth curve for diesel outstripping that of gasoline for the first time in 15 years.

The first phase of a just-completed upgrade and expansion project at the Brod refinery in Republika Srpska (Bosnia) will enable the production of Euro-5 (10 parts-per-million sulfur) gasoline starting next year.

Ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) spot and futures prices in major markets mostly rose week-over-week by late Friday on stronger demand in the U.S. and slipping gasoil supplies in Europe.