Mercedes diesel hits hurdles in three new states, temporarily
Although Mercedes-Benz USA is still committed to diesels in all 50 states, it has had to accept the bad with the good. As the model year has rolled into 2008, they have lost three more states to the "no diesel" pack. That's because Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Rhode Island joined the 5 other states using California's stricter emissions standards that rule the Benz diesel out. But this is a short term setback for M-B. As soon as the new generation of diesels rolls out, Mercedes should have full 50-state compliance.
In about a year, the newest Bluetec ML320 CDI will arrive and be able to meet even California's emissions regulations. The diesel E-Class will continue as a 42-state model until it too receives the advanced Bluetec system. Whether or not Mercedes will figure out a way to keep the diesel premium down around $1,000 per vehicle is another potential stumbling block for the German automaker. Rumor has it this new Bluetec costs a lot more to produce and Mercedes-Benz might have to subsidize the diesels to keep them competitive pricewise.
[Source: Edmunds Auto Observer]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Solo 6:32PM (8/24/2007)
In all 50 states you can buy an F350 with a giant V8 Diesel. But if it's a passenger car, likely to sell for 50 grands, OMG say no to pollution!
Mercedes could put big wheels on it and call it a truck, auto-50-state-approval no questions asked.
Makes sense to me.
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Maestro1 6:15PM (8/24/2007)
If '08 is bringing out Bluetec for Mercedes Diesel vehicles, then what are the current diesels - just normal diesels? I swear Mercedes said in late 2006 that Bluetec was set to debut from late summer 2007 (I assume August) as the '08 model year, now I hear that its '08 for '09. Can anybody explain this to me?
I'm also wondering whether or not these new Bluetec diesels will offer increased fuel economy over the current diesels, not just lower emissions. My dad wants to buy one soon so i'm curious...
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Moltenauto 6:35PM (8/24/2007)
You can buy a MB Bluetec now, just not in all 50 states. The new version, due in about a year, should be available in all 50.
Don 6:26PM (8/24/2007)
A perfect example of why we're not seeing a whole lot of diesels yet...our emissions standards are gonzo tough.
Well, I guess it's better than dying from lung cancer.
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SPG 7:00PM (8/24/2007)
A V6 Mercedes always seem to look like the owner is trying to live above their means.
A V8 Mercedes always seems like the owner is trying to impress.
But a Diesel Mercedes always seems like the owner is intelligent.
To me at least.
And I'd take almost any non-suv Benz.
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Paul Y 8:12PM (8/24/2007)
I think you're on to something.
Of course, I'd LOVE to own an old diesel MB at this point -- they have so much character, besides being relatively sensible cars.
psarhjinian 8:12PM (8/24/2007)
What about a four-cylinder Merc? What does that say?
SPG 8:23PM (8/24/2007)
Four cyl Mercs say "I can't wait to buy a six cyl"
Believe it or not, my favorite Mercs are in the following order: 90's SL, 190e, 300 CE, 300E, and I would have no problem with someone thinking I'm trying to impress if I had a the Porsche built 500E.
There's a few more I really really like but those are my big favorites. Benz wise.
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Harrison 12:36AM (8/25/2007)
4-cyls say I honestly don't give a damn about driving, I only want basic transportation.
Diesels say I'm different and I'd gladly take a Bluetec over anything else in the Mercedes Benz lineup. Except for the CLK and SL65 AMG...
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Nick 2:13AM (8/25/2007)
When is VW going to be ready with the new generation? Also, Honda is coming too. I live in CT, so when will I be able to buy a diesel?
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Harold Kerrick 5:17AM (8/25/2007)
As a "part-time" resident of Pennsylvania (my folks and most of my family live there), I'm somewhat disappointed that the state legislature has decided to align themselves with states like California when it comes to air pollution.
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rgseidl 7:50AM (8/25/2007)
I'm not sure who decreed that the markup for a diesel engine can only be $1000. That's not enough to turn a profit, especially considering the expensive NOx aftertreatment also required in the US.
@ maestro1 -
Bluetec is the name MB have given to their set of clean diesel technologies. Wrt NOx clean-up, there are two options: store catalysts and SCR. The current, 42-state E320Cdi features a store catalyst and came in at Tier2 Bin 6, just shy of the Tier 2 Bin 5 (= LEV II) classification required to sell the car in all 50 states. Future versions of the store catalyst will probably be good enough but for the larger engines (~3.0L and higher) SCR is cheaper. More to the point, it already meets the target today.
@ Don -
there are different opinions about the carcinogenicity of diesel particulates in the medical literature. Particle size is relevant, as anything below ~7 microns can pass through the alveolae into the bloodstream.
Another is diesel composition: US No. 2 contains more undesirable aromatics than European diesel does. This is due to the fact that US refineries have to hydrocrack more valuable middle distillates to produce enough gasoline. As the name implies, No. 2 diesel gets the leftover dregs. This also explains its lower cetane number.
A third is sulfur content. At least 80% of on-road diesel sold in the US now contains
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rgseidl 7:51AM (8/25/2007)
[sorry, AB's comment engine cut off my text]
A third is sulfur content. At least 80% of on-road diesel sold in the US now contains
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rgseidl 7:52AM (8/25/2007)
[third try lucky]
A third is sulfur content. At least 80% of on-road diesel sold in the US now contains less than 15ppm, rising to 100% in 2010. European diesel contains less than 50ppm today and less than 10ppm from Jan 2009. Sulfuric acid can agglomerate onto soot particles and aggravate their impact on respiratory population health. Removing the sulfur also increases the life expectancy of exhaust gas aftertreatment devices, especially NOx traps.
With the introduction of wall-flow DPFs, researchers believe new diesel vehicles no longer represent a significant source of carcinogenic particulate matter. Older vehicles (Euro 1 through 4 w/o DPF) are a different matter.
That leaves NOx, which is actually mostly NO at the tailpipe. Sunshine can turn it into the brownish and poisonous NO2 in the atmosphere. In combination with hydrocarbons, aggressive ozone is also produced. This smog cocktail aggravates respiratory ailments such as bronchitis and asthma - especially in areas with abundant sunshine and low surface winds due e.g. to topography prone to inversion layers (LA, SF Bay Area) or an overabundance of skyscrapers (NYC). In Europe, such places hardly exist and many Europeans anyhow take a month off in the summer when city traffic tends to cause the most smog.
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Maestro1 9:35AM (8/25/2007)
Thanks for the explanation.
However, while I know that the emissions are different I still don't know if there's any improvement in fuel economy. Anybody know?
The price will undoubtedly go up anyway...
j_diesel 2:46PM (8/25/2007)
the technology for diesel engines is just now starting to catch up to gas engines. the problem, IMO, is the dirty fuel for sale in north america. just recently in canada we started getting ULSD-ultra low sulfur diesel. sounds like US just got it too. i think another problem is the fact that refiners aren't required to produce a cetane number higher than 40. if the number were 50 or more this would help with the smaller engines i think. i hope the legislation in places like california doesn't push the envelop too quickly and once again dictate nothing but gas, hybrids and pure electric.
how many years did people breathe in dangerous aromatics like benzene(when at a fuel station) and heavy metal like lead from gas engines? it seems they want the diesel engine as clean as a gas engine and ignore the fact that it gives hybrid comparable fuel economy in many cases. burn more fuel because it burns clean?
my hat is off to M-B, VW, and supposedly Nissan in '09 for going through these hoops to bring us a cali-friendly passenger car diesel.
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Mark 4:39PM (8/25/2007)
Speaking of 4 cylinder Mercedes, there are the C class 200 CDI and a 220 CDI, but not for here in the States. Not sure if we can vacation in Germany, buy and drive, then have it flown home. I understand the torque in those smaller cars makes for a very fun car to drive, ie more than enough performance. If that is the case, then one does not really need a V6, V8 or V12, unless one truly wishes to impress. But in the neighborhood of 40mpg, to me that would be the real way to impress. A nice C class, with a 2 litre CDI, I believe it is Bluetec, high mileage, and performance. Now that is impressive. MB just needs to import them.
http://autoshow.autos.msn.com/autoshow/geneva2007/Article.aspx?cp-documentid=3839972
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Alastair 12:14AM (8/26/2007)
The one key issue this article misses, which is included in the original, is that while the 50 state ML is delayed until '09 / model year 10, "the other models offering the V6 turbodiesel are on a different product-development cycle, ...so those models will continue with 42-state sales until they are upgraded with the advanced Bluetec system. The E320 Bluetec, for example, will be 50-state compliant for the ’10 model year"
I live in MA, but have a second home in RI - I was so dismayed by the original delays to the 50 state bluetec that I was tempted to buy a "dirty" bluetec in RI. Looks like I can't even do that now. I'm undecided between the R and GL, but looks like I will have to wait at least two years longer either way.
I have to say, I find ML product manager Ms. Bhise's comment "We’re not too concerned [about loss of sales from the delays]" more than a little irritating.
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CWD 3:13PM (8/29/2007)
When '08 E-series diesels start showing up on the used market, is there anything that prevents someone in one of the California spec states from buying one (say, with 10,000 miles on the clock), and registering it - where I am in Connecticut, for example? Or maybe taking over a lease of a lightly used '08 diesel from someone in the 42-state universe? What are the rules for used 42-state diesels in California spec states?
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al 9:29AM (9/01/2007)
CWD,
I don't believe so. I think it just needs to have >7,500 miles on the clock for you to be able to import it - at least, that's what the RI dealer told me.