Mercedes hoping for hybrid-like diesel tax break

estreka, you are helping them buy their semis, through purchasing products they deliver.

This will never happen. The government doesn't want to subsidize diesel. There's no interest in creating demand for more efficient fuels from the oil companies... and if there's no interest from the oil companies, there's no interest from the government.
 
Hence, abnormally high diesel prices today.

Flicmod, my more cynical side wants to agree. But then again, the government does subsidize hybrids, meaning your logic is on shaky ground.

But hybrids still require petrol, not diesel. Therefore it contributes to the demand of petrol.
 
Now, if there was a practical way of making hybrid-diesel engines... well I would say the government would have nothing to do with that.

Does anyone else see a little Honda CR-V in that grille?

Does look CR-V ish.
 
Diesel should be subsidized if it offers reduced exhaust pollution when compared to regular gasoline vehicles.
 
Judging from the new Jetta diesel, diesels will be polluting less than gasoline, but more than hybrids. So diesels should be subsidized some, but not as much as hybrids.

As for existing diesels on the road, oh my god have you see the huge puff of black cloud that comes out the back of a diesel Jetta's tailpipe every time they accelerate? I don't want one of those in my neighborhood.
 
Edmunds, have a buddy car drive with your diesel Jetta, and observe the black cloud when the Jetta accelerates. Take a picture of it.

Why should people who can afford a Mercedes diesel get a tax break?

Why should people who can afford a new vehicle get a tax break?

That's right!
The government should put a 20% tax on such a vehicle.
These things are the property of rich hollywood superstars who want something to represent their token gesture of environmental responsibility, while they burn 10,000% as much fuel on private jets.
They can easily pay the extra tax. The tax money can then be used to subsidize important things, such as putting senator McCain in office so he can pour money into Toyota and GM and let them build better batteries which pollute the lands surrounding Canadian nickel mines instead of pristine American soil. Keep America beautiful!

if it has a high mpg rating comparable to other cars that gets exemptions, then it should be done! but only if emissions are low!!! i think the bluetec emissions are very low...
 
as for non bluetec high mpg diesel cars, those should not get any tax break! not here or anywhere else!!!
 
cars and trucks have to be as clean as possible... we all breathe the air...

and no matter what they do to SUVs, unless it's a zero emissons system no car company will get a good mpg rating for SUVs, not hybrid, not gasoline and not diesel...! weight is the enemy of good mpg... and SUV always weigh a lot... i think everyone needs to understand that...
 
that's why people should not drive around with the back seats and trunks full of stuff that doesn't belong in the car/SUV in the first place... every pound less counts...!!!

"Why should people who can afford a new vehicle get a tax break?"
 
because new vehicles pollute much less than the car that is being traded in... cars that were built 10 years ago emit like 50-100% more pollutants...!!! that's why there have to be incentives to get people to get rid of their old cars...

Cars from 20 years ago put out somewhere around 7 times as much pollutants.
 
That would be 600% more pollution, not merely 50%.

"As for existing diesels on the road, oh my god have you see the huge puff of black cloud that comes out the back of a diesel Jetta's tailpipe every time they accelerate? I don't want one of those in my neighborhood. "
 
When's the last time you saw a diesel?
 
I can't remember the last time I saw a TDI puff any black smoke. Diesels have come a long way from the old rabbits.
 
We have them everywhere in Canada. Last time I heard, around 50% of all VW's were TDI's. 80% of the Jetta wagons.
 
And no smoke.