Well as it turns out the NOx emissions levels were harder to reach to meet the EPA’s Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions levels. Initially DC thought the DeNOx catalytic system they had devised would be enough, but it fell just short of requirements for 50 state compliance.

With only 45 state compliance DC will miss out on one of the biggest car markets and the one most hungry for diesels, California. Although, I’m sure it won’t be long before we see models with 7500 miles and premium price tag sent over.  It looks like MB will have to implement their urea based solution called AdBlue. However, it remains to be seen if the EPA will even certify that as a valid system since enforcement may prove to be difficult to monitor.

Unfortunately Tier 2 Bin 5 requirements state the NOx levels emitted must be .05 grams per million, and the E320 came in at .06g/mi. Maybe they’ll be able to bring it out as a midyear model? Either way I think this is a hit for diesels if MB couldn’t get it to pass.

Link to Article

The Japanese seem to be under the same impression as Americans. Diesel is dirty and loud. This is evidenced by the fact that the only current diesel in Japan is the Toyota Landcruiser SUV. As…..how should I say…”the enlightened” we know that doesn’t necessarily have to be true.

Mercedes Benz is taking on the challenge to help relaunch this segment of vehicles, but is also asking for help from other manufacturers to get it going. Toyota and Honda both have diesel cars in Europe, but so far have not made any plans to use them in their home markets. I hope they do soon because in the world market we live in today more diesels sold abroad means more money to invest in technology for everyone.

I think we’re on the eve of the diesel assault on the world, and it’s these beginning plays that will give a glimpse on what’s to come. People are seeming more disenchanted with hybrids when they realize unless they’re in stop and go traffic where they can continually use the battery they are not getting the mileage in the propaganda. The only thing that can help more is that day when large portions of the hybrid crowd’s battery packs start dying and they are faced with a huge bill to replace or sell the car which will be worth virtually nothing. Have any of them thought ahead to the day they want to sell the car and the big question potential buyers will have is, “How many miles( or hours) on this battery pack?”. It’ll also be funny to see ads for them. Do the people say they have mostly highway miles so the buyer thinks the battery is still pretty fresh?

Diesel in Japan