BMW has confirmed to AutoGuide that the BMW’s 2017 diesel lineup for the U.S. market is being delayed due to extra scrutiny from federal agencies.
“In light of recent events, agencies are taking longer to certify diesel models for the US,” said BMW spokesperson Hector Arellano-Belloc, “but there has been no indication that BMW’s diesel models do not meet all requisite emission standards or that there is a defeat device in the vehicle.”
As a result of the massive Volkswagen diesel scandal, U.S. federal agencies are being extra careful to test and certify diesel vehicles.
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Furthermore, the BMW of North America spokesman Arellano-Belloc says the delay is caused by “testing logistics” and that production of the models will not begin until homologation has been finalized.
For Model Year 2017, BMW will sell six diesels – the 328d sedan and 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 535d sedan and 535d xDrive Sports Wagon, X3 xDrive28d and X5 xDrive35d. Last year, diesels accounted for about six percent of the company’s total U.S. sales. It remains to be seen if the new G30 5 Series will fall under this restriction as well.
BMW has not indicated when it expects its diesel models to be available at dealers.
