Re: "Are diesel vehicles a viable alternative to hybrids?"
Car factories can not make either diesel or gasoline. It is a finite resource and it doesn't take much to realize the remaining supply will not meet the growing demand. Although late, at least they've come to realize our species can not afford to waste what remains. IMHO, the 'pump' has spoken and rising fuel costs with no end in sight has applied a "clue by four" to their collective heads.
Re: "Are diesel vehicles a viable alternative to hybrids?"
The car buying public just wants to be "cool" and the manufacturers are playing up to that while they milk the repair and parts market for all they can before we are all driving lower repair cost hybrids and EVs.
Re: "Are diesel vehicles a viable alternative to hybrids?"
I think diesels will be great, once they clean them up, and clean the exhaust so it is not so hard on a person. Gas engines smelled bad not to long ago as well.