BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi Seek 'Green' U.S. Marketability

BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi Seek 'Green' U.S. Marketability
Automotive News reports that as they face stricter fuel economy standards, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are considering bringing four-cylinder engines back to the United States. BMW stopped offering four-cylinders in 1999 when its 318ti hatchback flopped. Mercedes-Benz had four-cylinder engines on the 2005 C230 and SLK230 but dropped them in favor of six-cylinder models. The four-cylinder costs more to manufacture and the cost would be absorbed by the consumers. Mercedes-Benz is deciding whether to offer the four-cylinder diesel from the E250 Bluetec concept at the New York auto show earlier this month. German luxury carmaker Audi is also seeking inroads into the U.S. car market as it has overtaken BMW as the top luxury car maker in Europe and stands in the top position in China. According to The Detroit News, Johan de Nysschen, President of Audi of North America, spoke to the Automotive Press Association. He says that as the company seeks to diversify its customer base and build its brand, the company has set its sights on the U.S., where it hopes to grow in the coming years.
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LUXCAR32 - 4/28/2009 2:45:42 AM

0 Boost

Nice picture, but Audi axed the A1 for the states, so not really applicable. Plus this has already been reported, along with the announcement that Audi is stopping V6 sales of the A4, A3, TT etc. and leaving them with the 2.0T, which is a great engine btw.

Joe_Limon - 4/28/2009 3:11:43 AM

0 Boost

They are kind of forced to bring these diminutive engines to the table. The 2011 fuel standard Obama is going to be enforcing which makes the average mileage across a companies product line 27 mpg (epa). That coupled with ever increasing emission's laws, those diesels they have been investing in aren't going to cut it either. Which is a true terror for these german companies considering that the only benz that can make over 27 mpg (epa) is the E320 Blue tec, and even then it's combined cycle is still 26 mpg (epa).

Roboto - 4/28/2009 7:26:31 AM

-1 Boost

so what kind of news are these? i dont trust the DoucheMobiles

kpaxx - 4/28/2009 8:14:59 AM

+2 Boost

The B-Class and C230K in Canada are great vehicles, with great engines. It would be an easy step to bring these to US plus if you include the Smart cars, MB can easily hit the 27mpg average!

AlexTx - 4/28/2009 11:26:34 AM

+5 Boost

Hey David.....
Did you know that Audi had a Hybrid waaaaayyyy before Lexus back in the mid 90s?
Oh yeah... look it up!

M_Motorsport - 4/28/2009 12:37:08 PM

+1 Boost

Because of new fuel economy standards and no one knowing where oil prices will be in 6 months and beyond it has become a must for Car Companies to do this. For example BMW's next gen M5 will not get the V10 but a V8.