No, increased marine diesel sales volume won't appreciably drop diesel engine cost for the consumer. Gas engines cost less because they coat-tail on the huge automotive market. The automotive diesel engine market (consumer trucks) is tinny compared to the gas engine market. The best case scenario is something like $6,000 higher engine costs like Ben suggests, Over the long haul a diesel is probably a better deal. The fuel efficiency is better, maintenance cost should be lower, and since the engine runs at about half the RPMs, it will last about twice as long.
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