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BMW is going to start selling diesel suv's in america in 2007.

MUNICH, Germany — BMW will begin selling diesel-powered cars in America in 2007, and the first diesel BMW in America is likely to be an SUV, probably the X5.
"It's not a question of when to introduce it, but how to go forward in the United States," Burkhard Goeschel, BMW's board member responsible for development and purchasing told Automotive News. "We can meet 2007 emission standards. Diesel should have a place in the American market. High torque and low fuel consumption make it the most useful engine for an SUV."

In Europe, BMW offers diesel engines in all the 6 Series and Z4 sports cars. Diesels account for around 50 percent of the overall European market, and the level is much higher in the SUV market, where the diesel engines' extra torque makes the choice of diesel versus gasoline a no-brainer for most buyers.

But in the U.S., diesel is not widely available at gas stations, and the quality of diesel available is not as advanced as European diesel. However, low-sulfur diesel will be more readily available in the coming years, which has prompted European automakers such as BMW and Mercedes to take a shot at selling the cars as an alternative to gas-guzzling gasoline SUVs.

What this means to you: Diesel is going to be giving hybrids a run for their money among those looking for better fuel efficiency. Americans may be surprised at the performance of modern diesel engines.