I don't believe that for a minute. Before all this happened I was looking at a Jetta Sportwagen (with 2.5L gas engine) and went clicking around at VW dealer sights. Normally, they would have 5-6 Jettas and 5-6 Golfs in stock, but 4 out 6 of each type were TDIs that the dealerships were stuck with and discounted to try to get rid of them.
Diesels still have that 80’s stigma that GM created. Damn them.....................
Probably two or three reasons. First, the diesel variants are considerably more expensive than the gasoline counterparts, which, at the lower price points of the Jetta and Golf, really tends to stick out. Second, most older Americans remember the 70s/80s diesel failures and that stigma sticks. The younger ones, those with skulls of mush, anyway, think diesel is on par with burning piles of used tires.
Lastly, in some areas, diesel prices, combined with the higher purchase price of the car, don't turn people on to the fact they get far better mileage than their gasoline counterparts, and they can't do the math.
I'd take one if I could afford to, but right now, I'm saving up for a diesel pickup and a travel trailer, my car is paid for, and my commute only costs me a tank of gas a month, so there's no incentive for me to buy a new diesel.