In a interview with the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag yesterday, DaimlerChrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche voiced his opinion on the potential of diesel engines taking over a larger market share here in the U.S.

According to Zetsche, "We will make the most efficient engine there is -- and that's a diesel -- as clean as a petrol, and thus open the way for a triumph of diesel on the U.S. market."

As we've already told you, Mercedes is set to debut their first BLUETEC diesel in the states later this fall, starting with the E 320 BLUETEC.  Mercedes also has plans to unveil diesel variants of several other models, including the all-new GL-Class as well as the M-Class and R-Class models.

Just to give you an idea of the diesel market in the United States, last year only three percent of the vehicles sold in the U.S. were powered by diesel engines, compared to half of the vehicles sold in Europe.  With Mercedes' introduction of BLUETEC technology and the ability to meet emission requirements in all 50 states, we may soon see that number start to rise.

To hear more of what Dieter Zetsche had to say, you can find the full article over at MSN Money by clicking here.