[butterfield]

Yes I know the GLA is not getting a diesel this side of the Atlantic, but this is not so much a gripe with the diesel not coming over but a look at WHY the diesel isn't coming over. And don't give me this nonsensical Americans don't buy diesels, because guess what, AMERICANS AREN'T SOLD DIESELS HOW COULD THEY BUY THEM....

right back on track, first things first I recommend reading TTAC's coverage of the Diesel debacle Four-Cylinder Diesel For Mercedes CLA and GLA Won’t Cross The Pond | The Truth About Cars Including the comments, TTAC is quite a knowledgeable community that generally avoids overt fanboy-ism of their favorite pointy starred play thing.

In Euroland the CLA and GLA (eventually) are available with diesel plants in variants pumping out 136 and 170 horses respectively. Ok, cool. Renault built the engines, wait WHAT? Yes the base engines in the CLA and GLA in Europe are sourced from Renault.... margin hunting.

I can already hear you clattering, so what Renault builds the engines what does that have to do with us in America? How glad I am you asked...

See Diesel engines need urea injection systems to reduce NOx (nitrogen oxide) concentration in Diesel exhaust and Mercedes has said that the urea system required in NA would cost to much to fit the vehicle with... Well they mean cost too much to fit under $29,999..

From TTAC:

Once upon a time, Mercedes-Benz would have built their own engine, made it comply with our regulations, and charged whatever they felt was fair — but that strategy no longer works in this market and it certainly wouldn’t work with a car that’s currently being advertised with “$29,999″ all over it. Still, the idea that this car is priced and sliced so thin that there isn’t the margin to fit a French diesel is enough to give those of us who have owned the old Benzes pause.

disagree with me all you will but you know and i know exactly what happens when the beancounters run the party...

 

[Adolini]

See Diesel engines need urea injection systems to reduce NOx (nitrogen oxide) concentration in Diesel exhaust and Mercedes has said that the urea system required in NA would cost to much to fit the vehicle with... Well they mean cost too much to fit under $29,999..

well it all makes sense to me now. Thats too bad for NA to not have benz diesels I am sure there are a number of people who would liek to see them but only in europe.

 

[Cocles]

Dupe.

This is already being discussed here:
http://www.glaowners.com/forum/merc...s-diesel-gla-unlikely-us-market.html#post4905

 

[carbonfiber]

The Mercedes SUVs are actually popular in diesel.

Look at sales statistics of the Mercedes GL diesel vs the entire field of competition.

 

[A.T.L.]

The Mercedes SUVs are actually popular in diesel.

Look at sales statistics of the Mercedes GL diesel vs the entire field of competition.

might as well, great power, mileage and the cheaper cost of fueling it up sort of off set the cost of ownership. diesel vehicles = win

 

[butterfield]

Dupe.

This is already being discussed here:
http://www.glaowners.com/forum/merc...s-diesel-gla-unlikely-us-market.html#post4905

no its not, you guys are discussing it as blueTEC over there. Its only a blueTEC if Mercedes produced it. We're talking about the Renault engines here thank you.

@carbonfiber I was just about to post that. It's hard to find exact breakdowns of Diesel vs Petrol GL sales..

But I will say I am quite confused by the decision because the GLK does have a BlueTEC engine available in NA. I4 TT, 200hp/369 lb ft... someone explain why THAT engine cant be made available in the GLA?

No regulations to conform too, no expensive conversions, just plug and play..

 

[Cocles]

Really? You even argue about a heads up regarding a dupe thread? Alcatraz already brought up your point. Thought you'd want to join the conversation. My mistake.

No diesel because it would cost Benz too much money to make the engine meet US regulations. That cost would raise the price of the GLA and the last thing that Benz wants to do is make the price of the GLA higher.

And that is about the long and short of it.

 

[alcatraz]

I was also reading that EU regulations may make it difficult for car companies to continue to produce cars with diesel engines for Europe. So if diesels do not start catching on more quickly in North America, we may see them all disappear soon.

 

[AMGz]

I was also reading that EU regulations may make it difficult for car companies to continue to produce cars with diesel engines for Europe. So if diesels do not start catching on more quickly in North America, we may see them all disappear soon.

thats what I heard too, it could lead to a point where their govt forces car makers to get serious about hybrids to further push towards EV's in the long run

 

[Sweet Tooth]

Do you think that government pressure to create EVs is a good thing though? People always says that government should stay out of business, that the free market is the best thing to drive innovation, etc...

Forcing car companies to make more EVs won't increase the demand for those EVs necessarily. The only hope is that with pressure to create better EVs, better EVs will get created, and people will be more likely to buy them because they are more technologically advanced and the price reduces.

 

[Frayzer]

I agree the goverment should have less say. I understand what they are trying to get at to improve environment and air quality but it will come slowly you can't force it just like anything else.

 

[AMGz]

Do you think that government pressure to create EVs is a good thing though? People always says that government should stay out of business, that the free market is the best thing to drive innovation, etc...

Forcing car companies to make more EVs won't increase the demand for those EVs necessarily. The only hope is that with pressure to create better EVs, better EVs will get created, and people will be more likely to buy them because they are more technologically advanced and the price reduces.

Well EV's are suppose to help our environment by having less of a footprint but we also have to question the process that goes into making them, is it doing more harm than good?

So far im pro-really fuel efficient petrol cars, and not so much EV's and Hybrids for now.

 

[carbonfiber]

the diesel engine that is in the GLA is a renault engine right?

How come that would be an issue?

The BlueTec engines offered in north america are made by Mercedes?

Not too knowledgeable when it comes to Mercedes Diesels.. Just that they actually sell pretty well.