Mercedes Dealer: It's Time to Bring Diesel in the Lower Class

There's no doubt that small-displacement, fuel efficient and environmentally-friendly engines play a very important role in the long-term evolution of several struggling automakers. But even so, large companies which were often regarded as top players in the industry that easily faced the recession should also get involved into this sector, according to Werner Schumacher, chairman of the Mercedes-Benz Dealer Board, who said Mercedes should bring a diesel in the lower class as soon as possible.

Speaking about Mercedes' United States lineup, Schumacher said that the German automaker has enough small models in the North American market, but a four-cylinder diesel engine would be a great addition to the local Mercedes range.

“I wouldn't want to go any smaller than what we have now. I would like to see a smaller diesel engine, similar to the four-cylinder diesel engine which they have in the C class in Germany. That is a car whose time has come. We need it in the GLK. We already have diesels in the M and GL class, and it is time to bring diesels into the lower class,” he said in an interview for Autonews.

In addition, Schumacher insisted that a small-displacement diesel unit that could push combined fuel consumption near 35 or 40 mpg could boost Mercedes' sales in North America. At this time, twenty-two percent of the sales his dealership recorded were represented by diesel vehicles and even bigger sales are expected for the next few years.

“In the West, people do a lot of driving. We have been cultivating our diesel sales. I personally drive a diesel to my house in Colorado. I fill it here and it is 480 miles to Durango, Colorado. When I get there, I still have diesel in the tank. It is a great car.”