Mercedes And BMW Drivers Are Criminals? Germany Fights Back

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

India’s Environmental Minister Jairam Ramesh’s jab at diesel-powered trucks and SUVs is turning into a major diplomatic row. Turns out that he didn’t just call drivers of diesel-powered trucks and SUVs criminals. He also said that said the mere act of driving big-engined luxury models from BMW and Mercedes-Benz in India was “criminal”. Jaguars weren’t mentioned.

That immediately triggered a vigorous diplomatic response from Berlin. Germany’s Ambassador to Delhi, Thomas M. Matussek, said that German automakers are known for ground-breaking fuel efficiency standards. “It is very difficult to imagine that Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Minister of Environment and Forests, has made such specific comments on fuel technology with reference to German automotive manufacturers,” said the ambassador in a sharply worded demarche, sent in the direction of India’s Ministry of Environment and Forests.

With apparent input from German automotive interests, the German envoy to India praised Germany’s “most outstanding expertise in the area of engine development,” and said that the German automotive technology “is far advanced in reducing both fuel consumption and fuel emissions,” reports The Hindustan Times. He didn’t mention the nations that are being trumped by Germany, but you can fill in the blanks yourself.

And take this, India: “Leading German automotive manufacturers are already engaged in developing ground breaking fuel efficiency standards which may define how cars of tomorrow may be conceptualized,” the ambassador threatened.

If India’s auto industry wants to fulfill its dream of becoming a major export hub for cars, then India’s auto industry needs to put its minister of birds, bees, and trees on a shorter leash: European rules for fuel efficiency and emissions are tough and are getting tougher. You need to pass an exam called European Whole Vehicle Type Approval before getting admitted. The program is run by the European governments, but the opinion of the German Kraftfahrtbundesamt usually carries a lot of weight.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • AaronH AaronH on Nov 14, 2010

    The scumbag is just an envy-ridden parasite not unlike the American "Liberal". He is Al Gore's even more psychotic baby brother.

    • See 1 previous
    • Dr Lemming Dr Lemming on Nov 15, 2010

      Aaron, when you disagree with someone is it possible for you to do so without completely trashing their character?

  • AaronH AaronH on Nov 15, 2010

    His character is already trash...How is it you do not recognise that? LOL! Don't bother.

  • 2ACL I'm pretty sure you've done at least one tC for UCOTD, Tim. I want to say that you've also done a first-gen xB. . .It's my idea of an urban trucklet, though the 2.4 is a potential oil burner. Would been interested in learning why it was totaled and why someone decided to save it.
  • Akear You know I meant stock. Don't type when driving.
  • JMII I may just be one person my wife's next vehicle (in 1 or 2 years) will likely be an EV. My brother just got a Tesla Model Y that he describes as a perfectly suitable "appliance". And before lumping us into some category take note I daily drive a 6.2l V8 manual RWD vehicle and my brother's other vehicles are two Porsches, one of which is a dedicated track car. I use the best tool for the job, and for most driving tasks an EV would checks all the boxes. Of course I'm not trying to tow my boat or drive two states away using one because that wouldn't be a good fit for the technology.
  • Dwford What has the Stellantis merger done for the US market? Nothing. All we've gotten is the zero effort badge job Dodge Hornet, and the final death of the remaining passenger cars. I had expected we'd get Dodge and Chrysler versions of the Peugeots by now, especially since Peugeot was planning on returning to the US, so they must have been doing some engineering for it
  • Analoggrotto Mercury Milan
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