Nielsen’s latest automotive industry overview tracked the online conversations, and the steadily declining price, of diesel over the last 12 months. Though diesel has been a hot topic within alternative fuel buzz at times, a downward trend in discussion over the past year speaks to a decline in consumer interest.
Findings & Analysis:

Total diesel buzz decreased 28% from June ‘08 to June ‘09, while diesel fuel fell by $2.15 per gallon or 45%
Domestic trucks and German cars are most prominently mentioned within diesel buzz
Mercedes-Benz and BMW are gaining share of diesel …

By Julie Enzweiler, Nielsen Online
The automotive industry has witnessed an extremely volatile and game-changing 2008. With Ford, BMW, Honda, Toyota and Volkswagen leading the way, here is a look at the top 25 automotive brands that consumers discussed online in 2008 relative to all online discussion.

Troubled U.S. automakers are pleading their case for a government “bailout,” but American consumers would rather discuss future vehicle news and concepts from luxury automakers.
An analysis of auto-related blog discussions released Tuesday by Nielsen Online found online buzz in October spiked around BMW’s X1 Concept, Lexus’s IS 250C, and Acura’s first V8 engine.
The “Meet the Beckers” series and content from the Lexus L-Studio site were the top consumer-cited videos for October.