DETROIT -- Mercedes will add a diesel engine to the freshened 2013 GLK crossover due this fall, making it the sixth diesel model in its lineup, said Steve Cannon, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA.
Mercedes already offers a six-cylinder 3.0-liter diesel on the ML and GL SUVs, R-class crossover, E-class sedan and S-class flagship sedan.
Diesel sales are likely to push GLK sales into the "high 30s," from 24,310 last year, Cannon said. The GLK will get a four-cylinder diesel.
Diesels represent 25 to 30 percent of GL sales and 15 to 20 percent of the ML, Cannon said. Sales of the E-class sedan diesel are lower, about 3 percent. The new-generation S400 diesel went on sale last fall. Mercedes-Benz offers more diesels than any of its German competitors. It is expected to offer a diesel on the compact C class when the car is redesigned in three years.
By comparison, BMW offers a diesel only on the X5 SUV and the 3 series. The redesigned 3 series that goes on sale next month will not immediately have a diesel.
Audi offers a diesel in the Q7 SUV and A3 hatchback but has promised to expand its offerings to the A4 sedan and possibly the compact Q3 crossover scheduled for U.S. sales in 2013.
