BMW remains firmly committed to diesel in America
Speaking to an Automotive Press Association luncheon today in Detroit, Jim O'Donnell made it clear that BMW was firmly committed to diesel technology even as it begins to roll out hybrid and electric vehicles. BMW delivered 500 electric MINI Es earlier this summer and recently announced its first two hybrid models, the X6 and 7 ActiveHybrids. Nonetheless, O'Donnell indicated that the diesels are better suited to some of the larger models than the hybrids or electrics. At this point, diesels fit BMW's performance image better than the other options. For example, the 335d that launched late last year matches the performance of the original M3 while offering vastly better fuel efficiency. BMW doesn't typically break out individual model sales but O'Donnell indicated that since the beginning of 2009, over 2,600 diesel 335ds and X5s have been sold. O'Donnell indicated that a 5-Series diesel may be coming eventually as well. This will likely happen when the new 5-Series sedan launches next year.
O'Donnell made it clear that BMW was committed to pursuing a number of technical paths including electric, hybrid and hydrogen. However, O'Donnell expects diesel penetration in segments like the X5 to hit 20-30% in the coming years.
[Source: BMW]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mark Kiernan 6:28AM (9/02/2009)
BMW have invested heavily in diesel so I expect them to be on of the last to adopt EV. Sad really from a company known for innovation. The problem is that diesel is not a stop measure against oil prices, diesel prices here in Italy for example are currently $5.90 a gallon.
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Dan Mosqueda 7:34AM (9/02/2009)
I would like to see BMW bring us diesel in some smaller engines. I love a great performance sedan (335d), but wouldn't a 123d for the US be great? In other words, provide levels of performance and efficiencies.
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Kumar 9:02AM (9/02/2009)
Even a smaller diesel in the 3 series would be great, and across the line too, including wagons.
Unfortunately, BMW and MB are continuing to offer only high powered / high profit margin models, leaving those of us looking for frugal diesel engines looking elsewhere.
nixon 11:45AM (9/03/2009)
The 123d would be brilliant here in the States, especially at high altitudes where turbos help regain much of the power lost to thin air.
I would love to have one
why not the LS2LS7? 12:06PM (9/02/2009)
I'm sure they will. BMW has to find a way to hold on to their ridiculous claim of having the most fuel-efficient lineup of luxury cars in the US (see their recent ads).
How does a company whose main business is selling midsize and compact cars (335i & 535i) that get 20 mpg combined?
Why by offering no less than 7 versions of the 328i, including the terribly popular 328i coupe with x-drive. And don't forget they offer the 528i. You see those around all the time, don't you? And the 335d of course.
The total sales on these cars cannot add up to much, but between them, they appear to allow BMW to make claims that are not backed up by the vehicle mix they actually sell, which leans heavily toward the much higher consumption end.
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Sam 1:48PM (9/02/2009)
in Europe, BMW has one of the most fuel efficient fleets of cars available.
In america? they're only out done by the big three. Why?
In europe they have more diesels.
They need to bring diesels in every model including the x1.
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gaijinman 2:17PM (9/02/2009)
Hope the European manufacturers withdraw from their absurd reintroduction of so-called "clean diesel" which is everything but. Theirs is simply a pitiful response to a more responsible definition of green.
Diesel is simply innappropriate to any vehicle without a stack exhaust system... and while cyclists and other drivers are choking in the toxic fumes the modern Eco-idiot is only counting CO2 so as to avoid an imagined impact on the same temperature swings observed both on Earth and Mars.
The CFL bulb presented as an "icon" of responsibility in their ad campaign is more representative than even they may realize... save a few breaths worth of CO2 while the overuse of these low-tech bulbs absolutely poison the environment with mercury upon the inevitable improper disposal.
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Mark Kiernan 4:37PM (9/02/2009)
So instead of bitchen about stuff what would you recommend they do?
gaijinman 4:57PM (9/02/2009)
...responding to Dr. Kiernan ...
In addition to "bitchen about stuff" I am always pleased to recommend better solutions.
However the technological approaches are not in any way ideas I can take credit for.
I suppose they could license the kind of technology used in the Lexus RX 450h for clean burning, efficient, better performing (and far more reliable) vehicles. And how strange to revert to the 70's definition of "efficiency" (diesel) on the eve of a perfectly good fuel cell technology!
gaijinman 2:30PM (9/02/2009)
Hope the European manufacturers withdraw from their absurd reintroduction of so-called "clean diesel" which is everything but. Theirs is simply a pitiful response to a more responsible definition of green.
Diesel is simply innappropriate to any vehicle without a stack exhaust system... and while cyclists and other drivers are choking in the toxic fumes the modern Eco-idiot is only counting CO2 so as to avoid an imagined impact on the same temperature swings observed both on Earth and Mars.
The CFL bulb presented as an "icon" of responsibility in their ad campaign is more representative than even they may realize... save a few breaths worth of CO2 while the overuse of these low-tech bulbs absolutely poison the environment with mercury upon the inevitable improper disposal.
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FordGuy 4:22PM (9/03/2009)
"Diesel is simply innappropriate to any vehicle without a stack exhaust system... and while cyclists and other drivers are choking in the toxic fumes the modern Eco-idiot is only counting CO2 so as to avoid an imagined impact on the same temperature swings observed both on Earth and Mars."
You need to read-up on the urea injection and particulate elimination systems used by BMW on the new diesels in the U.S. -- the exhaust is cleaner than gasoline engines.
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FordGuy 4:32PM (9/03/2009)
Oh, and here is a comment one reivewer made when he tested the X5 diesel:
"I stood behind the X5 xDrive35d thinking I would see, at least, some exhaust. Much to my surprise, I did not. I also could not smell any exhaust. No noise, no smoke, no smell. Impressive. "
http://www.midlandsconnect.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=335347
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