BMW News: No More Diesels For U.S. BMW Vehicles

[William Maley]

BMW will become the next automaker to drop their diesel offerings in the U.S. Speaking to Green Car Reports, BMW spokesman Alexander Schmuck revealed diesels would be dropped for the 2019 model year for the automaker to focus on plug-in hybrids.

"We're putting all our eggs in the PHEV basket," said Schmuck.

BMW brought back diesel power in 2008 with the 335d and X5 3.0d that used a turbodiesel inline-six. This would be followed up by a turbodiesel four-cylinder for the 3-Series and X3, along with the inline-six for the 5-Series. But the Volkswagen diesel emission scandal in late 2015, along with stringent emissions testing and standards have caused sales of diesel vehicles to drop.

BMW's PHEV lineup is currently comprised of the 330e, 530e, 740e, and X5 xDrive40e. The automaker announced last week the 2021 X5 xDrive45e which boasts a range of 50 miles on electric power only.

Source: Green Car Reports

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[G. David Felt]

Totally makes sense as PHEV can give you all that Diesel does plus way cleaner and quieter than diesel.

[balthazar]

We have sales numbers on the PHEV BMWs (pathetic) - would be interesting to compare 2017 full-year diesel sales to current year PHEVs. I suspect a lot of diesel customers are NOT going to switch over, and it's going to be a significant net loss.

[ocnblu]

BMW is not serving their customers properly.  Diesel is much more useful and worth the money v. the distinct disadvantages of a PHEV setup.

[riviera74]

1 hour ago, ocnblu said:

BMW is not serving their customers properly.  Diesel is much more useful and worth the money v. the distinct disadvantages of a PHEV setup.

But thanks to the VW and FCA diesel debacles, all European makes are switching to EVs instead.  Welcome to 2018 not 1998 or 1978.

[balthazar]

2018 BMW 330e thru August : 1,197 units sold. How many 328ds were sold in the same period?
The brands can switch to E power, but they have to convince buyers to buy. My question is, is BMW thinking the diesel buyers will automatically move to an 'e' model?

[smk4565]

Diesel is just dead, PR has killed it, no auto maker wants to try to sell it.

[William Maley]

12 hours ago, balthazar said:

2018 BMW 330e thru August : 1,197 units sold. How many 328ds were sold in the same period?
The brands can switch to E power, but they have to convince buyers to buy. My question is, is BMW thinking the diesel buyers will automatically move to an 'e' model?

My hunch is that it would be slightly less, but the only people who know that is BMW.

[balthazar]

BMW locator says within 100 mile radius of my location (out of 3598 vehicles), there are 58 electrics (i3) and 112 diesels. Of course, that doesn't say anything WRT actual sales- diesels may be 'piling up' on lots.

[daves87rs]

Might be a bit early to try and kill it off....