Prior to the kick-off of frenzy of press conferences at the Detroit Auto Show, ABG had the opportunity to talk with BMW-North America CEO Tom Purves and another BMW representative. We discussed the company's diesel announcement along with their hybrid and hydrogen plans.

ABG: We're here with Tom Purves this morning and you are the CEO of BMW USA. BMW has got a big announcement today regarding diesel technology coming to the United States. Tom, welcome and would you like to tell us a little bit about what BMW is going to be announcing today.

Tom Purves: Yes, I would be delighted. We, being in the diesel business of course in Europe and other markets for many, many years we have been developing technology which will allow us to sell diesel in all 50 states. Diesel engines that actually would comply with the emission regulations right across the USA rather than just in 48 or 49 states and come the autumn of this year, October this year, we will be actually launching into the market two new vehicles we are showing for the time here.

You can read the rest of our discussion after the jump.