US Diesel market to small? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

richard u · #1 11-18-2002, 09:52 PM

I was told that “Only 2000 or so” MB Diesels were sold in the US in 1999 (the last year we could get them in the states)

What does that portend for the future? If the diesel market is so small in the US would MB even bother bring any new ones here?

190D22 · #2 11-18-2002, 10:00 PM

If you look at the trend in the 90s, it was big SUVs and gas guzzling trucks that were popular. Now it's moving back to fuel economical cars, I think. Diesels were popular in the 80s because of the oil 'crisis'. I think once people learn the advantages of the new CDi engines, they won't be able to resist. They're fast, economical, and rugged. They will outlive any gas engine in the same circumstances. But also our diesel here doesn't allow the CDis to be sold here.

#3 11-18-2002, 11:17 PM

What about the ML230

It is diesel.

Nice too.

I wish they sold that here in the US.

And what about the 3 cyl Smart Car (2 seater).
That runs a Mercedes engine too.

I wish they sold that here too.

Thanks

Holson Adi · #4 11-18-2002, 11:24 PM

I think the perfect sedan would be either

1. Mercedes E270CDI Avantgarde with 6-speed Full loaded (wait for next year's Navigation... - hopefully)
2. BMW M5 6-speed

.. if you wanna go fast. sorry Off Topic. But the M5 is a great car.

Bill, what about the ML400 CDI?

hehehe, could show the ML320s a thing or two bout diesels

#5 11-18-2002, 11:25 PM

Sorry, I think it is the ML270.

I saw some pictures of one from Europe.

White ... Nice truck too.

I have a gas eater ML320.

I wish it was diesel too.

Thanks

#6 11-19-2002, 03:24 AM

Wrecked Fed-Ex sprinter van + W210 body with a blown engine? Could be interesting.

BJ300SDL · #7 11-19-2002, 05:05 PM

I think one thing that would help around here is the cleanleness of the gas stations,I mean when you gas up your car the fuel nozzle most of the time is spotless. Almsost every fuel island I've fueled up in midwest you get diesel fuel on your hands.

Even though I work on diesels for a living doesn't mean I want to smell like one when I take my family out to eat!!!

Anybody else run into this??

Fisherman · #8 11-19-2002, 05:56 PM

Still one of the great things about living in Oregon. They fuel it for you and it's the law...

Cost of diesel right now though is higher than regular. All summer it was about 5 to 10 cents cheaper than gas.

lrg · #9 11-19-2002, 07:10 PM

One reason for the low diesel car sales is that Mercedes hasn't sold them in California since 1987! Makes me really reluctant to buy a newer 49 state car because the dealers here have no idea how to service them! Judging by the number of Benzes in Southern California alone, if California could buy deisels in 1999 that number would have easily been doubled.

Piotr · #10 11-20-2002, 01:03 PM

Small diesel market? talk to the VW dealers about waiting lists for their Jettas TDi

Diesel-Lover · #11 11-20-2002, 01:20 PM

Hi All,

The only diesel suv in the us market was the excursion big enough for a platoon and I understood GM had a burban. Nothing in the usual size minivan or suv. Oh well here comes VW they have two diesels in the works for US as I understand.

i Phaeton a high end sedan with a v10 diesel engine
ii Toureg a sophisticated suv with a v10 diesel

These are in the plans but there are no solid commitments as yet, what a bummer cant order one.

Merc should offer Diesels in a larger selection of skins.

EU and ROW have so many why not the states, look at the density etc, we should (our govt/epa etc) should be more forward thinking.
A lovely little freelander diesel would be way cool over hear across the pond as would the 270 ......

turnne1 · #12 11-20-2002, 03:41 PM

My dealer tech told me that MB was working hard to get the CDI certified in the US and were actually getting close...so there could be an e-class application available in less than a year...from what he tell me this car makes even the 98-99 E300 seem like a dinosaur
He promises me that you absolutely cannot tell that is is a diesel and the HP per litre is almost on par with the gasoline counterpart

so we can keep out fingers crossed...but one thing for sure..if it makes it...the waiting list will be months long and you will pay every penny of sticker(or perhaps above depending on the market if MB doesn't police that)

so in a short time you might be drive up to your dealer..hand him the deposit on a 50K loan(or cash)...and wait 3-4 months for your new E class CDI

Warren
1992 300SD 151K
Columbus Ohio