Volkswagen has been hammered by the news it used a software cheat to defeat emission controls in its four-cylinder diesel engines. The CEO stepped down, the company's stock price has fallen by a third, and it faces years of investigations and possible billions of dollars in fines.

There may be another casualty of the VW escapade - the move to entice Americans into purchasing diesel-powered vehicles.

They're popular in Europe, but American drivers haven't warmed up to them. Diesels make up only about three percent of the US passenger fleet. Automakers are working to change that. At least, they were until VW threw a wrench into the works. 

So, could this be the death knell for diesel?  Our car critic, Susan Carpenter doesn't think it's quite that dire. She explains some of the advantages diesel offers, and runs down some brand new models that are just hitting showrooms.