It is understood that by 2020, the sale of diesel cars in Europe would fall by 50% as compared to the 2017 numbers. The percentage of diesel cars sold is expected to fall to 24% of all cars sold. As a result, several Japanese companies with exposure to Europe are phasing out diesel engines from their portfolio. The latest company to announce the same is Mitsubishi Motors, a part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi trio. The company has announced that it will start phasing out diesel cars immediately and stop production of diesel versions of its various models by 2021.

Mitsubishi plans to only develop the existing diesel engines and offer them in a limited number of SUVs, small trucks and mini vans over the next few years. No new diesel engines would be developed. Sister concern Nissan has already stopped development of diesel engines, while Renault also intends to minimise the number of diesel options on offer.

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