Fuel quality puts Merc’s next-gen diesel on hold in India

LionX · 6th June 2016, 17:56

Quote:

The lack of availability of BS-V and VI grade of fuel in India could result in a delay in the introduction of latest Mercedes 2.0-litre diesel engine.The new Mercedes 2.0-litre diesel engine is unlikely to make its way to India anytime soon since the unit is only compliant with Euro V and VI fuel quality.

Mercedes-Benz has been gravely hit by the ongoing ban on sale of vehicles above 2,000cc in Delhi-NCR. It is ironic that the carmaker which has a Euro VI-compliant diesel engine under 2,000cc is being penalised due to the fuel quality.

http://www.autocarindia.com/auto-new...ia-402187.aspx

alpha1 · 7th June 2016, 12:06

1. Merc is being penalized because of court's assumption (misguided by NGT) that higher capacity = more pollution.
2. In addition, the courts also (rightly) believe that >2L capacity cannot be bought by the "common man" and hence banning them will not cause any discomfort to him.

Many modernized Indian refineries are capable of producing BS5/6 fuel even now (or by mid 2017).
Most of the remaining will become capable by 2020.
So what is this sad picture being painted by Merc?

abhishek46 · 9th June 2016, 16:48

This could become a major handicap for Mercedes Benz, if their new gen diesel family is not backward compatible with BS4/3 fuel.

BS5/6 fuel will take minimum 2-3 years to make it to Metro cities.
Even then, merc cannot introduce these engines in India, as except a few metros this fuel will not available anywhere.
It will take a lot more time for BS5/6 fuel to reach whole of India.

itwasntme · 9th June 2016, 17:26

I admit the NGT order is much too sudden and needs refining. However, personally I feel Mercedes is indulging in far too much hand-wringing and corporate whining to put pressure on GoI. Let them not get the 'latest' engine to India.

Fact is that fuel quality is a burning issue (pun intended) across every emerging economy in the world especially a huge country like ours. Governments everywhere are struggling to balance pollution levels in major cities versus meeting emission targets versus staggering costs / gestation periods to upgrade refineries and allied infrastructure to meet fuel quality norms.

Mercedes should stop issuing media statements and focus on working around these inevitable roadblocks.

7th June 2016, 12:06	#2
alpha1 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: LandOfNoWinters Posts: 2,177 Thanked: 3,007 Times	Re: Fuel quality puts Merc’s next-gen diesel on hold in India 1. Merc is being penalized because of court's assumption (misguided by NGT) that higher capacity = more pollution. 2. In addition, the courts also (rightly) believe that >2L capacity cannot be bought by the "common man" and hence banning them will not cause any discomfort to him. Many modernized Indian refineries are capable of producing BS5/6 fuel even now (or by mid 2017). Most of the remaining will become capable by 2020. So what is this sad picture being painted by Merc? Last edited by alpha1 : 7th June 2016 at 12:11.
	(1) Thanks

9th June 2016, 16:48	#3
abhishek46 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,813 Thanked: 5,877 Times	Re: Fuel quality puts Merc’s next-gen diesel on hold in India This could become a major handicap for Mercedes Benz, if their new gen diesel family is not backward compatible with BS4/3 fuel. BS5/6 fuel will take minimum 2-3 years to make it to Metro cities. Even then, merc cannot introduce these engines in India, as except a few metros this fuel will not available anywhere. It will take a lot more time for BS5/6 fuel to reach whole of India.
	() Thanks

9th June 2016, 17:26	#4
itwasntme Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: BANGALORE Posts: 7,716 Thanked: 14,146 Times View My Garage	Re: Fuel quality puts Merc’s next-gen diesel on hold in India I admit the NGT order is much too sudden and needs refining. However, personally I feel Mercedes is indulging in far too much hand-wringing and corporate whining to put pressure on GoI. Let them not get the 'latest' engine to India. Fact is that fuel quality is a burning issue (pun intended) across every emerging economy in the world especially a huge country like ours. Governments everywhere are struggling to balance pollution levels in major cities versus meeting emission targets versus staggering costs / gestation periods to upgrade refineries and allied infrastructure to meet fuel quality norms. Mercedes should stop issuing media statements and focus on working around these inevitable roadblocks. Last edited by itwasntme : 9th June 2016 at 17:30. Reason: Clarity
	(2) Thanks