German car maker BMW is considering selling diesel engine model cars within the US.

Klaus Borgmann, senior vice president of power-train development at BMW, was reported by Autoweek magazine as saying the firm was looking into developing a diesel-powered vehicle for the US but would only bring it to market if it could meet emissions regulations in 50 states.

He said that many diesel cars sold in the country were currently "45-state" vehicles, but said that BMW would only make inroads into the market if it can develop a "50-state model". The firm must overcome headaches such as developing a NOx catalyst to meet tough emissions standards.

Mr Borgmann spoke at a question and answer session at the SAE World Congress, joined by colleague Tom Purve, president of BMW North America.

Mr Purves said: "I just have every faith in our engineers to make it work. I think it's going to happen, but we would wish to be in a position where we were able to sell cars in 50 states for all sorts of practical reasons. That wouldn't be the case at the moment."

"So we're waiting to be in a position to be able to deliver an engine that would allow us to do that."


Ÿ Adfero Ltd