German carmakers join forces to push diesels in United States
9 October 2006
According to German press reports, German carmakers will join forces to introduce clean diesel cars under the trade name Bluetec in the North American market. Volkswagen, including its Audi unit, have reached an agreement with DaimlerChrysler to use the Bluetec trade name and the Bluetec urea-SCR system developed by Mercedes and Bosch to meet the US Tier 2 Bin 5 emission standards for diesel passenger cars starting in 2008.
BMW and DaimlerChrysler will reportedly finalize a similar Bluetec agreement later this week.
Mercedes-Benz recently announced it will introduce Tier 2 Bin 5 compliant cars using the Bluetec urea-SCR (AdBlue) technology in 2008. (The 2007 Mercedes E 320 Bluetec, even though marketed under the Bluetec trade name, is using NOx adsorbers rather than urea-SCR, and is emission certified in the Tier 2 Bin 8). Several Bluetec vehicles are expected to be showcased at the Los Angeles auto show in December.
In the Bluetec cars, AdBlue (water solution of urea) will be injected upstream of an SCR catalyst to reduce NOx. AdBlue will be stored in an onboard tank, and will be replenished at an interval similar to that of the scheduled engine oil change.
The major components of the Bluetec urea injection system are manufactured by Bosch.
Sources: Automobilwoche | Reuters