Comments on: BMW and MINI customers beat new Emissions Congestion Charge in London

By: Aaron

Aaron — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:28:32 +0000

I’m looking for the R60 to come with a low-emission diesel engine as an option, for sale in the USA. If it does not, I will be severely disappointed with MINI’s development team. If it does, you can add my name to the list right after DB’s.

By: GregW

GregW — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 19:32:01 +0000

What you have to remember is that owing a private car in London is very expensive, that is if you can find somewhere to park. Most Londoners use the Underground Tube or double-decker buses to commute to the city. So those lucky enough to be able to afford a luxury car, pay the insurance, and pay for the gas, may be able to save on the tax. It’s just another way of trying to reduce city traffic. Could they do this in New York?

By: DB

DB — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 16:43:30 +0000

We have discussed why the diesel won't be coming to the US.

But, should it, my name is at the top of the list!

By: Dan S

Dan S — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 15:47:43 +0000

Sometimes I think we in the US are in the “Ostrich society”. We don’t need hydrogen Hummers in 20 years. As this articles shows the answers are here and now. Proven and ready to go. What will it take for us to get our heads out of the sand. $7.00 a gal? $8.00?

By: jarrett

jarrett — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 14:03:03 +0000

sure wish someone with miniusa would wake up and make the diesels available here. i realize that they wish to sell in all fifty states, but depriving those markets that want them is ludicrous.

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 22:23:16 +0000

Well Gabe, you’re a pretty influential person in the community. How about we get these technologies as an option, so people who would be interested in paying for them, could do so. I find it so annoying that certain markets are able to enjoy options that other cannot. Essentially, all MINI’s are built in the same facility, so when building them, how hard is it to get a part out of one bin vs another? You should go to Mini.ca and see how limited in our options we are. On top of that, Canadians pay a huge premium for our cars vs Americans. How fair is that!?!

By: Gabe

Gabe — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 21:27:08 +0000

FWIW that’s the same response we’ve been hearing from MINI USA.

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 21:06:19 +0000

Here's an official response from MINI Canada as to why the fuel saving technologies were not inplemented in North America.

There certainly are CO2 reducing technologies found on MINIÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s in some parts of the world that are not on North American vehicles. The markets that integrate these technologies are required to do so due to regulatory reasons. These technologies only have a marginal impact on fuel consumption (1-2%), yet pose many more challenges than benefits in North America. Some of the technologies also impact the overall ownership and driving experience of the vehicle. Countries using these technologies place their emphasis solely on reducing CO2 emissions. North American regulatory bodies focus on tailpipe emissions (where CO2 is just one component). As a result, the technologies yield little to no benefit in North American tests/standards. In Canada, the technologies would have no impact on official fuel consumption and government programs (such as ecoBate). Please also keep in mind that vehicle costs would have to increase if such technologies were implemented.

By: Robbie

Robbie — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 20:08:15 +0000

Yet another poke in the eye to those of us in North America who can’t get a MINI D….Ouch!

By: Radiationman

Radiationman — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 19:46:37 +0000

Mayor Bloomberg tried to implement a Congestion Charge for NYC, don’t remember if it was all of Manhattan or just part of Manhattan… The plan was shot down…

By: Pretzel Logic

Pretzel Logic — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 19:22:49 +0000

Not to mention a few mayors and governors, as well.

By: Kirk

Kirk — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 17:03:45 +0000

This story makes me wish we could have a wise US president or Congress sometime before I die.