Bluetec Bonanza - German automakers will offer advanced diesel engines

The Volkswagen Tiguan, above, reportedly will have the Bluetec system.

Harald Hamprecht | Guido Reinking | Automobilwoche | | Automotive News / October 11, 2006 - 6:00 am MUNICH, Germany -- Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen are forming an alliance to make their new diesel engines more popular in the United States.

The alliance, the first for the four brands, will use the Bluetec emissions treatment system developed by Bosch and Mercedes-Benz. They plan to offer it under the Bluetec trade name and show several Bluetec-equipped vehicles at the Los Angeles auto show in December.

While about half of the new cars in western Europe have diesel engines, the figure is only 2 percent in the United States. Diesels have a poor image in America because of their history as being loud, sluggish and environmentally unfriendly. Bluetec is supposed to change that - and to help German automakers battle the popularity of hybrid powertrains.

The Bluetec system is a suite of technologies that includes traps and filters and urea injection. Urea systems shoot an ammonialike acid into the exhaust pipes, radically reducing oxides of nitrogen.

BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer and DaimlerChrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche are expected to work out the final details of the alliance this week. Audi chief Martin Winterkorn and VW brand chief Wolfgang Bernhard reportedly have agreed to the project already.

The alliance partners are expected to announce the plan within two weeks.

Bluetec diesels meet the highest emissions standards in the United States. The diesel alliance sees an advantage in marketing the system under a common brand name, Bluetec, as well as economies of scale in purchasing. Bosch provides major modules for the Bluetec system.

During the Los Angeles auto show, Dec. 1-10, the alliance plans to present its first Bluetec models to the public. Industry sources say VW will present its new compact SUV, the Tiguan, with Bluetec.

Reportedly, Audi will show the Q7 and BMW the new X5 with Bluetec. Mercedes wants to exhibit the R, M and GL classes. DaimlerChrysler's Jeep brand is expected to show the Grand Cherokee with a Bluetec engine.

These models will be brought to market in 2008, one year after Bin 5 emission rules go into effect in the United States.

Diesel Podcast
John Shipley will be coming to speak with AutoWeek about the future of diesels at Mercedes-Benz on Thursday, October 12. We will also be doing a podcast with him. If you have any questions you would like him to answer, send them to awwebmaster@crain.com and we will be sure to ask him.

John Shipley has worked at Mercedes-Benz USA for five years. He began in the eBusiness/Internet Marketing department and was in charge of all product-specific content on the U.S. consumer website, www.MBUSA.com. After that, he spent one year working on Regional Advertising before joining Product Management, where he's worked for the past three years representing the Mercedes-Benz E- and CLS-Class.