DaimlerChrysler and the Volkswagen group have announced their intention to promote the BlueTec brand worldwide as a name for clean, highly efficient diesel engines. Both companies have been long-time proponents of diesel technology. Mercedes-Benz was the first manufacturer to sell production diesel engined cars back in the 1930s and VW and Audi have also been producing diesels for several decades.

According to J.D. Power study, titled "Global Outlook For Diesel" diesels are expected to grow to 15 percent of the North American market by 2015. VW will begin using BlueTec diesels in most of their product line beginning sometime in late 2007. Mercedes is already selling the first phase of BlueTec (without urea injection) now and will expand to the urea version next year. DaimlerChrysler will also be adding BlueTec Diesels to various Jeep models in the next couple of years. The upgraded BlueTec version will be able to meet emissions requirements in all 50 states. The full press release from Mercedes is after the jump.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]