What's up with BMW not releasing turbodiesel cars here?

[Pepe240sx]

I don't see what's wrong with the turbodiesel cars that BMW offers in Europe. The 330d has around 300lb ft of torque and receives 35-40mpg to boot, yet we won't ever get those here :(

Not to mention that it was ranked #7 on Car magazines Top 20 cars .

If the 330Cd or the 330d were to arrive here, I would gladly purchase one. And from a ACS upgrade for the 330d, it would give an M3 a run for it's money.

So tell me, what's up with BMW's decision NOT to release them here in the states? Does it have to do with the public perception of diesel? The poor quality of diesel fuel compared to Europe? The lack of diesel fuel stations in the states? What else?

[Kevlar]

It's the typical view of Americans that diesel is bad, noisy and has high levels of pollutants.

Many don't know that odds are the VW Jetta next to them is a TDi. BMW sees the diesel market in the US to be very weak... hence no diesel.

[NickM3]

The diesel engines requre low-sulfer fuel, which currently isn't available in the U.S. (not profitable for the oil companies here). We get the cheap diesel, stuff they sell to truckers because their engines can burn anything.

[Pepe240sx]

High level of pollutants? What are they smoking?

Yes I understand diesel fuel in the U.S. is high on sulfur, thus giving it more pollutants. However, in Europe, where diesel cars sell like cupcakes, they have fewer emitting pollutants than the U.S. What gives?