The price of a gallon of gas has now been rising for eight straight weeks, according to USA Today. "The national price for regular unleaded gasoline rose 2 cents over the last week to $2.69 gallon, the department's Energy Information Administration said in its weekly survey of service stations." A gallon of diesel fuel, however, hovers at just $2.62 per gallon.

Americans have noticed.

Automotive News reports, "The dramatic decline in diesel fuel prices is driving up U.S. sales of diesel-powered vehicles from European carmakers." Volkswagen, Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz all sell diesels in the U.S. that meet emissions requirements in all 50 states - and all report an increase in sales of the diesel-powered cars this year.

AutoWeek adds, "Volkswagen dealers across the country say they can't get enough of the Jetta TDI sedan or station wagon." Mercedes-Benz, meanwhile, says that sales of diesel-powered versions of its M-Class and GL-Class SUVs are up.

USA Today notes that Audi is preparing to join the parade of new diesels as well. "Audi, with its big, $50,900 Q7 diesel SUV, will push diesels as a way of freeing the U.S. from dependence on foreign oil. The Q7 will be joined by an A3 diesel sedan in the fall."

European automakers in the U.S. once marketed diesels primarily for their increased torque and driving range, but the latest round of diesels has the automotive press impressed in other ways.

Motor Trend writes, "We've enjoyed the time we've spent thus far with our Long Term 2009 BMW 335d sedan and 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI and seldom does either spend a lonely night alone in our garage. Their power, cleanliness, and fuel mileage is, quite simply, addicting, leading us to understand how the diesel bandwagon is growing by leaps and bounds compared to a year ago."

If you're in the market for a new car, check out the U.S. News rankings of this year's best cars as well as this month's best car deals.