Yes a lot of diesel is being sent abroad, such is the global market.
There is a lot of oil still here in the US. Its not undiscovered oil, the oil companies have known about it decades. Some of it required sustain prices in excess of $40/bbl before the oil companies thought it would be worthwhile to put into production.
The problem right now are the environmentalists and the Democrats in Congress. They have been preventing production operations in lots of these places and that has kept prices high.
Some of this oil would take ten years to come to market, but it will still make an impact on the markets. Once the markets see serious commitment to production, prices will start to stabilize. US produced oil looks cheap to the rest of the world, because dollars are so cheap. All of that impacts the futures markets which has been driving oil so high.
On diesels in cars, its not just the engine that is important. Heck, we might even see diesel hybrids which would more akin to railroad locomotives! If these cars are going to be able to tow anything, then the manufacturers are going to have to install strong transmissions.
I wonder if they are going to do that. After all strong transmissions weigh more. It will likely be an option if the manufacturers detect a market for them.
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