BMW: Diesel cars for US in 2008 & hybrid cars by 2009

It was reported before that BMW will be bringing their diesel models to the United State in mid-2008 and now we have official word from Geneva from BMW’s CEO Norbert Reithofer. Reithofer said at his speech to the Geneva Motor Show that “Next year we are also going to offer our diesel vehicles in the U.S. — another step in protecting the environment.” He said about half a million BMW vehicles sold last year were equipped with diesel engines which gives the company incentive to bring them to the U.S.

While Reithofer did not mention which diesel model will debut first, we have reported in the past that BMW will start off with the BMW X5 3.0d which produces 245 horsepower. We also had a tip from a local BMW dealer who said that the BMW 5-Series diesel will be arriving in the U.S. by 2009 with a debut of the 530d and the 535d.

Reithofer also touched on the matter of DaimlerChrysler teaming up with BMW on hybrid models. The partnership between BMW and DaimlerChrysler calls for sharing hybrid technology to produce hybrid premium cars within the next three years. Reithofer said “We will achieve production maturity of these (hybrid) components in 2009.” The premium hybrid cars from DaimlerChrysler and BMW should give them strong turff to compete with Lexus and its popular LS hybrid along with the GS hybrid.

Source: Reuters