If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
How does MB manage to do it?
George Litwinski "daytripper" > wrote in message ... > On 28 Nov 2004 03:46:30 -0800, (Andrew > Thomas) wrote: > > >"GRL" > wrote in message >... > >> Let's be serious. There are things BMW can do, and there are things they > >> can't. > >> > >... > > > >> They cannot build and sell a sedan in the mid- $20K range > >> that people will buy. > > > >BMW is quite capable of doing that (although with the US dollar at > >record lows, $25,000 might be a bit tight these days). The problem is > >at this price level the car would have a smaller engine and less > >grunt, and American consumers don't like anything less than 200 bhp (I > >guess they need it for all those derestricted interstates ). > > > >> They can't bring themselves to sell a diesel in the > >> U.S. > > > >Yup. It's partly an image thing (remarkable, really, the differences > >across the pond - BMW's image on this side has if anything been > >improved by the good standing of its diesel models), but also diesel > >grade. Apparently BMW is waiting for lower sulphur levels to be > >mandated in the diesel available at North American pumps; then it will > >likely bring in its SUVs with one or two diesel engines (which are far > >better suited to this application than the petrols). > > They may also be waiting for state legislation to ease enough to actually sell > diesel *cars* in the USA. I don't believe CA and MA, for two, make it easy if > even possible to sell diesel automobiles (as opposed to trucks)... |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|