BMW chimes in on proposed U.S. CAFE standards
The deadline for automakers to comment on the latest CAFE standard proposal is today, and at least one manufacturer has decided to speak up. BMW is calling the fuel efficiency standards it would be required to meet 'unattainable.' As you may be aware, the latest proposal takes into account the overall footprint of the vehicle, and manufacturers which sell large vehicles won't be required to meet the same goals as those which produce smaller vehicles. While that's great for manufacturers with truck-heavy lineups, automakers like BMW are in for a world of hurt as they tend to produce smaller, sportier machines. For this reason, BMW would be required to average 37.3 miles per gallon for its cars, quite a bit higher than the 35.7 mpg industry average. The Bavarian's trucks would need to achieve 31.7 mpg, compared to an industry average of 28.6 mpg. While it may seem a bit unfair (or maybe not) that BMW should be required to hit higher numbers than some other manufacturers, it should be pointed out that BMW currently offers no engines with fewer than six cylinders and is on a bit of a crossover binge as of late. What's more, the marque has proven rather adept at squeezing high power outputs from relatively small displacement, so we'd stop a bit short of suggesting that the numbers being asked of it are unattainable.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Dad 8:02PM (7/01/2008)
"BMW is calling the fuel efficiency standards it would be required to meet 'unattainable.'"
What??? Say it ain't so! I thought only the BIG 3 were unable to make the CAFE??????
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Dad 8:02PM (7/01/2008)
"so we'd stop a bit short of suggesting that the numbers being asked of it are unattainable."
Given the complete lack of car manufacturing prowess at ABG, I think we should go with BMW.
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Nick 8:23PM (7/01/2008)
Instead of squeezing the most Hp from its engines, it should scale power back a little in favor of mpg gains.
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fnc 8:45PM (7/01/2008)
Eh, CAFE's just a dog and pony show by our government to make us think they're doing something. If they want us to drive more efficient cars, take the money spent on squabbling over CAFE standards and put it towards efficiency research and education about energy issues.
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Joseph 11:23PM (7/01/2008)
The reason this is happening is because the new way for calculating the standards is so silly. Who ever thought of calculating the standard based on things like the wheelbase of the car? Ridiculous...
If they simply gave an average that they need to meet, there wouldn't be the issue where BMWs are supposed to get more mpg than the industry standard, which from common sense, we know should not be the case.
But, because of this ridiculous new way of making standards for automakers, car companies like BMW are simply going to have to pay the fines for not being able to achieve the standard. It's not that big of a deal; they can just carry over the cost to their clients who can afford it. Besides, I think BMW would get pretty close to meeting the standard. I think they have the engineering to develop the proper technology (hybrid, diesels, electrics) to achieve it.
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D-GOD 10:22PM (7/01/2008)
Boo - Hoo
So they are admitting they have sub-par Engineers, and are no longer leaders of ingenuity.
They deserve to go under, inferiority shouldn't prosper, remember the Chrysler-Government bail out?
Now they are back to bankruptcy again....
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Mirko 3:07AM (7/07/2008)
BMW's engineers are just fine, the problem is BMW's choice to not import the fuel efficient models into America.
I got a BMW because of the 52 mpg rating.
Richard 10:32PM (7/01/2008)
Don't they know where the market is going? Haven't they seen the june sales figures? Who cares about CAFE? Customers will demand even more efficient cars, like the 520d or other cars BMW ALREADY makes!!!
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tc 12:20AM (7/02/2008)
Simply put, BMW is reaping what they sowed. They've profitted handsomely from producing inefficient (vehicles). Now it's time to pay the piper.
Further, BMW is basically FOS. If they merely used lower displacement gasoline engines and re-engineered their diesels to pass Tier3Bin5 . . . they would have little trouble meeting CAFE.
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Nixon 1:32AM (7/02/2008)
I'd cry for BMW if they actually TRIED to sell their most fuel efficient models in the US. They have a 45+ mpg sequential dual turbo car that burns off tires with ease, and out-performs the original M3. That model alone would go a long way to meeting their CAFE requirements -- but they won't sell it in the US because they think selling a 4-cyl turbo-diesel would hurt their market image.
The reality is that BMW certainly knows how to build highly fuel efficient cars. BMW sells a couple of dozen cars globally (including their Mini brand) that would all beat that future CAFE requirement TODAY. BMW is just whining because they are putting more importance on their uber-luxury market branding than on doing the right thing.
Having owned a 318i, a 320, a 325e, a 325is, and a 535iM, I know BMW can put power and economy in the same package. The only question is whether they have the courage to push their own US market branding to include economy along with uber-luxury.
What I would really like to see is BMW being a LEADER in the high MPG luxury market. Instead of just being whiners who are content to be drug along behind all the rest of the car makers in meeting CAFE standards.
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EV-1 7:29AM (7/02/2008)
"...include economy along with uber-luxury"
economy ?
The issue really is about STOPPING emissions an greatly reducing waste of our common resources on this planet.
Sometimes you get the feeling that some americans don't give a shit about anything except their own wallet.
As if the incentive to switch from dirty dinasour tech is solely coupled to the rising price of fossile fuel !?
Those **holes in Germany show their complete and utter contempt for the climate issue. That's a bit unusual these days - the majority of the autoindustry at least are trying to POSE as evironmentally consious.
Of course, their (only) goal is to make as much money as possible, and thus they try to squeeze every last million of $$$ from their f****ng dirty old IC technology.
The PRESTIGE and attitude that's been their hook for ages, is decaying like a moth-eaten royal robe.
--Ed 10:46AM (7/02/2008)
@Nixon,
You are right. BMW please bring the 120d, 320d and 520d to the US. That will put a big dent in making the CAFE score if not surpass it.
Mirko 3:10AM (7/07/2008)
In Germany, BMW's radio ads are focused on "best-in-class fuel economy"
UH2L 10:09AM (7/02/2008)
I bet the new standards based on wheelbase and track hurt BMW the most because their vehicles aren't that big in size for the weight that they carry. For instance, the new BMW 1 Series weighs 3,300 lbs, and the X6 weighs 5,000 lbs!
It's about time people start looking at the European car makers for being inefficient (in N. America), and stop criticizing the Detroit automakers who actually have a decent assortment of efficient vehicles, (unlike what the press wants you to believe).
UH2L
http://www.thingsivenoticed.com
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highball 3:41PM (7/02/2008)
Make fewer models fewer colors less high tech balony and smaller engines with performance and safety. Easy models to understsand. Open up to more buyers. We don't need 500 hp engines for example. 328 528 750 is all you need. You had it right the first time. You can't use all that power on our roads as it is. The new 128 and 135 were a good idea but no milage? Eliminate all the automatic seat warmers and coolers etc. junk no one uses anyway and just increased the cost. Heck I will roll up my own window if I have too. I have climate control any way when would I ever have it open? Way to may incorrect high performance models with power we never use! Start producing more logical vehicles gas milage and cheaper. Don't have to loose the quality and safety.
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EV-1 7:34AM (7/02/2008)
"...include economy along with uber-luxury"
economy ?
The issue really is about STOPPING emissions an greatly reducing waste of our common resources on this planet.
Sometimes you get the feeling that some americans don't give a shit about anything except their own wallet.
As if the incentive to switch from dirty dinasour tech is solely coupled to the rising price of fossile fuel !?
Those **holes in Germany show their complete and utter contempt for the climate issue. That's a bit unusual these days - the majority of the autoindustry at least are trying to POSE as evironmentally consious.
Of course, their (only) goal is to make as much money as possible, and thus they try to squeeze every last million of $$$ from their f****ng dirty old IC technology.
The PRESTIGE and attitude that's been their hook for ages, is decaying like a moth-eaten royal robe.
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MikeInNC 8:42AM (7/02/2008)
EV-1: I'm not sure if you've checked the latest industry news but BMW's other brand (MINI) was the #1 winner in the last month for sales increase. BMW has impeccable engineering and in the luxury segment, they are among the most efficient. You can slather them with insults all you want but when the chips are down, BMW will figure out a way to make it work.
Oh, and yea, the majority of people are far more concerned about how something affects them personally. It's not the nature of an American as much as it is human nature. I agree that we need to be as clean as possible but we can't go from smog billowing tractors to hydrogen in 3 weeks. The auto industry is tremendous both in the US and worldwide. you can't turn an aircraft carrier like it's a speed boat. Nothing affects corporations more than consumer buying habits. As people buy more fuel efficient vehicles you will see the auto industry change to suit that need. Expect consistent and gradual change in the industry. It will happen.
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karlInSanDiego 11:43AM (7/02/2008)
I own a '72 BMW 2002, a 2000 Z3 2.3L 6 cyl, and a 2007 MINI Cooper S. BMW can easily exceed the new Cafe standards, but they'll look like dumbasses as they do it because it means doing the following:
1) scrap X6 in year 1. a 400hp 4.4L V8 crossover was DUMB with a capitol D.
2) scrap 760, 540, X5, and 6 series. These are the flagships and they all need to go, or at least be limited in production. These are no longer relavant cars, and never were outside the US. Just because rich people can afford to burn money on bloated vehicles, it doesn't give them the right to burn excessive fossil fuel and that's the spirit of Cafe
3) Bring back 735 (or 2.5L turbo) if you must build this car
4) bring diesels across the board, including MINI
5) make the 1 series the planned top seller and get its weight down 20%
Would that make BMW rich? I don't think so, but BMW was always about staying independent and trying things no other manufacturer would.
BTW, I'm really happy with the mileage of the turbo 1.6L MINI Cooper S engine, but concede that it should probably be the pinnicle of their hp. No more "beat last year's power". MINI could also use a date with the wind tunnel to improve its efficiency. Focus on insane mileage while still delivering spirited driving. BMW also needs an EV saviour imo. Dump the hydrogen IC dream.
nom de plume 10:08AM (7/02/2008)
BMW has been very successful at convincing their gullible American customers that they need rear wheel drive cars with 300, 400, or more horsepower to commute on our traffic clogged roads and careen to the big box store on weekends. BMW should have a much easier time convincing those same buyers that horsepower and poor gas mileage are not really a substitute for manhood. Then they can get down to the business of selling their more practical cars, as they do on the continent.
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Chad 11:03AM (7/02/2008)
BMW is whining for absolutely no reason. What do you think happens if an auto maker does not meet CAFE standards? The government does not shut the company down, they just fine them.
All BMW has to do is pay the fines and pass the cost along to it's customers. They are a LUXURY car company! People who would shell out at least $33,000 for a 3 series will not care if they now have to pay $35,000.
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