Bmw preparing diesel offensive in the United States! Will keep V8s!

Despite the inevitable rise of the hybrids and electric vehicles, BMW said that it will pursue its plan to put its new clean diesels at the center of the development strategy in future years. It seems not all car manufacturers are prepared to make the hybrid/EV trend as its priority.

BMW is developing the X6 ActiveHybrid but it won’t give up easily its diesel-oriented strategy in the US. Jim O’Donnell, BMW North America CEO, said that in light of the future mileage and emission requirements, BMW will also try to bring diesel engines to other models in its range as well, including a diesel 5_Series in 2010. BMW is aiming to achieve 10-20% diesel penetration in the US.
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pennfootball - 9/11/2009 4:31:08 PM

-2 Boost

Representing Deutsche Land VEEEE DUB here wit Das Diesel

100octane - 9/13/2009 5:06:07 AM

0 Boost

it's der Diesel, actually

investor27 - 9/11/2009 4:59:44 PM

+5 Boost

10% to 20%? Who are they kidding? If BMW is serious about achieving that figure, they need to bring over the 120d, 123d, 320d, 520d etc. and make them affordable to the masses.

ChiAutoGuy - 9/11/2009 5:43:26 PM

+2 Boost

It'd be nice if they actually had these diesels on the lots here in the US. I went looking for either a 335d or X5d and no one had them near me...The dealers said these will probably be 'special order' vehicles - one more reasons diesels have a hard time winning here :(

thstone - 9/11/2009 6:15:01 PM

0 Boost

Generally, Americans hate diesels. As long as diesel costs more than petrol AND petrol is less than $4/gal, any sigificant conversion to diesel just ain't gonna happen.

veyron1001 - 9/12/2009 10:25:21 AM

+3 Boost

If GM didnt exist the US would have already had diesels like the rest of the world.

budfrogS4 - 9/14/2009 10:00:22 AM

+1 Boost

Wow...talk about a stereotypical American answer to diesels. They cost more to repair b/c they break down every 250k miles as opposed to every 50k miles with gas engines...especially American gas engines. Diesels are also usually slower b/c they're usually geared for either towing or for fuel efficiency. Why, if I may ask, do diesels win endurance race after endurance race if they're so slow?

I'm not sure why I even bother with this site anymore. Probably 95% of the posters are so short-sighted and closed-minded, it's not even funny.

camrydriver - 9/12/2009 3:13:56 PM

+1 Boost

You are a genius.

tango - 9/12/2009 10:37:55 PM

+2 Boost

Contrary to popular belief, GM did not kill the diesel for Americans. How many Americans actually know that there was a diesel powered Oldsmobile in the early 80s? What prevented diesels from rising in popularity is cheap gasoline. Plain and simple. The closest the average American came to a diesel is trucks that were noisy, slow, and smokey. So they naturally lean towards familiarity and then project that outwards far and wide. Times have changed but it's just a pitty that the ignorant among the population seem to have the most say in the matter. Empty barrels...

2ndbimmer - 9/14/2009 10:28:41 AM

+2 Boost

You are right 1UAW. Technology has not changed since the mid 80's. In fact, the internet doesnt exist either because if it didnt exist in the 80's, it must not exist now. You are a stupid F.

2ndbimmer - 9/14/2009 10:33:00 AM

+1 Boost

and what a stupid article. They said that BMW had a dismal showing in the CARS program. Of course they did! If you cannot afford to get out of your $100 car unless the government gives you $4500, the average price vehicle you can afford does not start in the $30k range.
The companies that have the lower priced MSRP's are the ones who moved the most metal. Who doesnt know that? Apparantly 4 wheels blog

gregsfc - 9/16/2009 12:33:55 PM

+2 Boost

Deisels have proven to cost more to repair, have been smelly , and not as quick as compareable gas engines.

— 1UAW

I think the key words in your quote are "have" and "proven". I think the correct wording should be "history"; not "proven". There is no prove that a modern, clean-burning diesel cost more to repair than a modern direct-injection, turbo-charged gas engine. The word "have" is also interesting. Yes, diesels "have" be smelly, but are not now, so what's the point of that statement.

Mercedes-Benz claims that one can't get CO poisoning by getting in a closed garage with a running E320 BlueTec and staying their all night. Try that with a spark-ignition powered car, and you'll wake up dead the next morning. Yes, diesels "have" been dirty and "smelly" but are not now, and that's the point.