| Mercedes-Benz has long been an expert builder of | | | | Mercedes and not because they cannot afford one |
| diesel engines, producing hundreds of thousands of the | | | | but because their state government told them that the |
| alternate-fuel driven power plants every year. Indeed, | | | | cars cannot be sold in their state. |
| in Europe alone, a significant portion of the vehicles | | | | Of course, there isn't anything wrong with tough |
| destined for continental homes are diesel aspirated | | | | emissions controls. However, in light of very high fuel |
| models. In the U.S., however, Mercedes is having a bit | | | | prices are we closing the door on potential fuel savings |
| of a problem with its line of diesel engines as more | | | | all in the name for a slight reduction in emissions? As a |
| stringent emission control standards makes the | | | | country of states' rights, the five states can supersede |
| marketing of diesel powered cars more difficult. | | | | federal emissions requirements. Nevertheless, each |
| Starting this fall Mercedes will be introducing its all new | | | | state already taxes their citizens greatly and the |
| E320 Bluetec diesel powered car that meets EPA | | | | additional imposition on them doesn't seem to be quite |
| standards; unfortunately, five states will not permit the | | | | fair. |
| sale of these models leaving parent DaimlerChrysler | | | | Although Mercedes is affected by these requirements |
| feeling a little bit blue. | | | | they aren't alone. In fact, Mercedes powered diesel |
| You have to hand it to Mercedes and to other | | | | engines are some of the most advanced engines in |
| automakers that are trying to produce fuel efficient | | | | the world. If Mercedes can't meet stringent U.S. |
| cars but are facing increasingly more difficult emissions | | | | emissions standards then there is virtually no hope that |
| restrictions in the U.S. It is one thing when the | | | | others will be able to do so either. |
| Environmental Protection Agency {EPA} raises | | | | As much as the new diesel requirements are tough, |
| pollution standards, but a whole 'nuther thing when | | | | they are causing engine manufacturers to study ways |
| individual states seek to raise that standard higher. | | | | to further reduce emissions. Volkswagen, Navistar, |
| California, for instance, has long stood on its own | | | | Cummins, and others who build diesel engines are |
| requiring automakers to produce cars that met pollution | | | | continuing with research to find ways to eliminate more |
| standards that are tougher than the other 49 states' | | | | pollutants. Perhaps the answer is for leading diesel |
| requirements. Recently, New York, Vermont, Maine, | | | | manufacturers to work together to resolve a problem |
| and Massachusetts joined in and now require the | | | | that could be too expensive to resolve on their own. If |
| same tough standards as the Golden State. | | | | they don't then Mercedes will not be the only |
| In effect the new standards mean that nearly 1 in 5 | | | | automaker crying the blues. |
| motorists will not be able to buy a diesel powered | | | | |