[Jason]

Reported on BIMMERPOST HOMEPAGE.

BMW's goal is to implement fuel efficiency improvements so that its entire lineup avoids the gas guzzler taxes (on cars failing to achieve 22.5mpg). This could happen as early as the launch of each current model's next redesign. Currently, the M3, 550i, 650i, and 750i incur a gas guzzler tax.

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- BMW AG hopes to get out from under the gas-guzzler taxes that are tacked on to the sticker prices of some of its high-performance models in the United States.

Jim O'Donnell, president of BMW of North America, says the company is studying fuel-efficiency improvements that could eliminate the gas-guzzler taxes on its vehicles as early as the launch of their redesigns in the next few years.

The 2010 550i GT incurs a $1,000 gas-guzzler fee, for example. The 650i convertible faces a $1,300 tax. And buyers of the 2010 750i pay $1,000, on top of a base price of about $82,000.

"We'd like to get away from it across the entire line," O'Donnell told Automotive News after a presentation at the CAR Management Briefing Seminars here.

"It's something we don't want to be labeled with. I think we can get there with small improvements."

The graduated gas-guzzler tax is prompted by a model's failure to achieve the minimum fuel efficiency of 22.5 mpg.

BMW's smaller competitor, Infiniti, moved its new-generation M56 sedan out of gas-guzzler status this year. It did so despite increasing horsepower from the previous-generation M sedan, which competes directly against the BMW 5 series.

But BMW is protective of its image as a maker of luxury, sporty cars, and it is not clear just how far the automaker might go to sidestep the tax.

BMW's racy M5 gets just 11 mph city/17 highway and incurs a $3,000 tax. But that five-liter, V-10-powered sports car is at the heart of BMW's image.

Yet BMW is taking surprising steps with its product line. O'Donnell noted that the company will debut a small electric car, currently called the Megacity Vehicle, in China in 2013.

The company has not said where else the electric car will be sold.

Source: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...#ixzz0wyZYCUvV

[fullrev]

i got smacked with one on my M3

[italy430]

the 760Li doesn't get a gas guzzler tax?!....

on BMW's site it says TBD... so does that mean the lucky few who get them before the fuel economy is determined doesn't have to pay the tax?!

[BGM]

Originally Posted by italy430

the 760Li doesn't get a gas guzzler tax?!....

on BMW's site it says TBD... so does that mean the lucky few who get them before the fuel economy is determined doesn't have to pay the tax?!

lol, what do you think?

[Minimization]

love how trucks, vans, and SUV don't get them at all. This tax is dumb...punishes a small fraction of cars out there.

yes, not for 760Li???

I buy used, so I never deal with this tax.

[positiveions]

Gas Gazzler tax, who are they kidding. What, the government have extra "paid to sit down" people to clean the air. This is a joke.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by Minimization

love how trucks, vans, and SUV don't get them at all.

...as if there were ever any question of the power of the farm lobby and the teamsters...

Of course, were trucks to get hit with this, it'd also likely end up being deductible on income taxes, particularly for businesses...

[bavarian19]

Originally Posted by tony20009

...as if there were ever any question of the power of the farm lobby and the teamsters...

Of course, were trucks to get hit with this, it'd also likely end up being deductible on income taxes, particularly for businesses...

Only in the era of Dubya...

[Oulixes]

It is interesting that BMW shall follow Infinity.

[conradb]

Originally Posted by Oulixes

It is interesting that BMW shall follow Infinity.

Wanting to make fuel efficient cars means following Infiniti? Right...

[jmunro]

He said Infinity, not Infiniti... LOL!

[mkoesel]

I love how the X6 5.0i gets no GGT while the 550i GT does. So, even though these vehicles overlap heavily in functionality, the former gets no tax because its a truck. Such utter BS. People wonder why manufacturers keep making car-like trucks. Well, you can thank the stupid gov't rules. CAFE has the same stupid loophole. Pretty soon passenger cars will be extinct because trucks are simply cheaper to certify.

[chemgeek]

Originally Posted by Jason

Reported on BIMMERPOST HOMEPAGE.

BMW's goal is to implement fuel efficiency improvements so that its entire lineup avoids the gas guzzler taxes (on cars failing to achieve 22.5mpg). This could happen as early as the launch of each current model's next redesign. Currently, the M3, 550i, 650i, and 750i incur a gas guzzler tax.

Hahaha, 22.5 mpg, that's funny. I don't even think my 335 has ever seen gas mileage like that, even before the power kit.

[tgxmike]

^+1 My 128i barely sees 22.8mpg, and I try my reduce that number all the time.

[techlogik]

Thank you Jimmy Carter for the gas guzzler tax. Didn't know that did you? Just one reason why that guy was the worst president ever.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by techlogik

Thank you Jimmy Carter for the gas guzzler tax. Didn't know that did you? Just one reason why that guy was the worst president ever.

What the hell? Implementing a tax on inefficient cars at a time that there were gas lines was a bad thing? Plus, have you ever known of a President passing law?

[ianbiz]

Originally Posted by fullrev

i got smacked with one on my M3

would you rather have 300hp instead of the 400?

[ianbiz]

Originally Posted by techlogik

Thank you Jimmy Carter for the gas guzzler tax. Didn't know that did you? Just one reason why that guy was the worst president ever.

There are 3 branches of government

[CMJETC]

Originally Posted by ianbiz

There are 3 branches of government

Two of which were controlled by the democrats in 1978.