benyl
12-18-2004, 10:51 AM
Mercedes says more diesels are on the horizon for U.S.; M-Class SUV likely candidate
DIANA T. KURYLKO | Automotive News
Posted Date: 12/15/04
NEW YORK -- Mercedes-Benz says there are more diesels in its future, most likely in the replacement M-Class SUV.
But Paul Halata, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA LLC, isn't saying when a second diesel model is coming.
Halata says he and Michelle Cervantez, marketing vice president, made a presentation in September to the bosses at DaimlerChrysler headquarters in Stuttgart about the potential of diesels in the United States.
"We feel diesel can play a big role in the American market," Halata says. "We could have done better if, in the M-Class SUV, we had a diesel."
Mercedes-Benz is reviewing the range to see whether it can sell more diesel models, Halata says.
Mercedes-Benz expects to sell 4,500 diesel-powered E320 CDI sedans in the United States this year. That will exceed its target by 1,500 vehicles, despite the ban on diesel vehicles in five states, including California and New York - major markets for the luxury brand.
Halata attributes brisk E320 CDI sales to a "pent-up demand." The E-Class diesel went on sale in May. It is the first Mercedes diesel sold in the United States since 1999.
Cervantez says 82 percent of the E320 buyers previously owned a diesel vehicle, and 86 were Mercedes-Benz owners.
Next year Mercedes-Benz may push diesels outside of its traditional markets in mid-America, "where we have not been represented so well," Halata says.
He's optimistic that diesel sales will be permitted in all 50 states because oil companies are likely to begin selling low-sulfur fuel in 2006.
source http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=101411
Hm.. japanese with hybrid invasion... european with diesel invasion.. hehehe what will the american car company gonna offer?? electric everything?
DIANA T. KURYLKO | Automotive News
Posted Date: 12/15/04
NEW YORK -- Mercedes-Benz says there are more diesels in its future, most likely in the replacement M-Class SUV.
But Paul Halata, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA LLC, isn't saying when a second diesel model is coming.
Halata says he and Michelle Cervantez, marketing vice president, made a presentation in September to the bosses at DaimlerChrysler headquarters in Stuttgart about the potential of diesels in the United States.
"We feel diesel can play a big role in the American market," Halata says. "We could have done better if, in the M-Class SUV, we had a diesel."
Mercedes-Benz is reviewing the range to see whether it can sell more diesel models, Halata says.
Mercedes-Benz expects to sell 4,500 diesel-powered E320 CDI sedans in the United States this year. That will exceed its target by 1,500 vehicles, despite the ban on diesel vehicles in five states, including California and New York - major markets for the luxury brand.
Halata attributes brisk E320 CDI sales to a "pent-up demand." The E-Class diesel went on sale in May. It is the first Mercedes diesel sold in the United States since 1999.
Cervantez says 82 percent of the E320 buyers previously owned a diesel vehicle, and 86 were Mercedes-Benz owners.
Next year Mercedes-Benz may push diesels outside of its traditional markets in mid-America, "where we have not been represented so well," Halata says.
He's optimistic that diesel sales will be permitted in all 50 states because oil companies are likely to begin selling low-sulfur fuel in 2006.
source http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=101411
Hm.. japanese with hybrid invasion... european with diesel invasion.. hehehe what will the american car company gonna offer?? electric everything?