German vehicles to diesel into America

German automakers are hoping to leave hybrid cars in the dust and convert Americans into clean diesel guzzlers, rather than gasoline guzzlers. "That is the bet European automobile manufacturers are making as they talk the talk of gas-electric hybrid engines to show they care for the environment, but walk the walk down the diesel trail." (more)

Why is that hybrid vehicles are only seen as environment savers? Obviously the environment is a huge reason that many Americans buy hybrids, but just as many buy hybrids because of foreign oil dependency. Clean diesel technology simply isn't going to end foreign oil dependency, however, plug-in hybrid technology could.