Penguin, I guess you are right. I never was in a product management role, but I find it strange that BMW boards are all full of excitement with the diesel, but not as much excitement in the Benz or Audi boards. Of the two X5's at PCD both were diesels (including mine). Also, all three German manufacturers ask about $4K premium for the diesel compared to the gas version before incentive. I have no idea how they came up with that number, bu tit can't be a volume issue if you believe that 70% of European sales are diesel. But in the end its less important if somebody got the invoice price wrong as long as they are committed to building and moving the product in the end at the right price. I really want BMW to be behind the diesel.
m5james, I am with you. From the practical perspective, there is no doubt diesel makes sense. Professionals who depend on their trucks for business and care about cost of ownership and durability embraced diesels. Unfortunately consumers are not there. Yet...