Cleaner diesel autos find favor in hi-tech Germany

Because of the enormous impact automobiles have on air quality, cars powered by cleaner diesel engines are increasingly important to the development of the industry, said Matthias Wissmann, president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry.

Today's clean diesels use 25 percent less fuel than a comparable gasoline car and are widely used in Germany, Wissmann said during the recent Auto China 2008 trade fair.

"The issue of sustainable mobility is a core strategic task for our manufacturers and suppliers that we are tackling with high levels of spending on research and development," he said. "Our companies can make a great contribution with their know-how and technology so that the air quality in China improves more rapidly and at the same time average fuel consumption of new vehicles is brought down markedly."

"We support China as it establishes a market for efficient, low-emission powertrain technologies. This includes the clean diesel, a technology that has great potential in China and in which German companies are global leaders," Wissmann said.

He said environmental needs in combination with the German drive for innovation is a good fit that can particularly benefit China.

In part due to their hi-tech environmental solutions, sales of German brands in China are expanding faster than the market itself.

In the first three months of this year sales rose 36 percent, while the total market grew by 22 percent compared to the same period last year. Almost one-fifth of new passenger cars registered in China today carry a German badge.

Provided by German Chambers of Commerce

(China Daily 05/09/2008 page19)