BMW To Maintain Diesel Models Amidst PHEV Roll Out; But 320d Allocation Exhausted

BMW Group Malaysia’s new focus on plug-in hybrid vehicles will not come at the expense of its existing diesel-powered models. The last couple of months have the seen the company kick start its PHEV offensive first by launching the X5 xDrive40e followed by the 330e earlier today.

Speaking to Carlist.my at the 330e launch, BMW Group Malaysia Corporate Communications Manager Mr Sashi Ambi told us that although there is a new focus on the PHEV models, the company still takes its diesel line-up very seriously, and there continues to be strong interest in these models.

Mr Sashi did, however, clarify that the current 320d Sedan is for the moment not offered in the Malaysian market simply because the company had exhausted its allocation for our market this year. At the moment, the 3 Series Sedan line-up in Malaysia features the 318i, 320i, and 330i alongside the newly-launched 330e.

Diesel power is still available with the 3 Series Gran Turismo, however, in the form of the 320d GT. Other diesel models currently offered in our market consist of 520d, X1 xDrive20d, X3 xDrive20d, and X5 xDrive30d. All BMW diesel models currently on sale in Malaysia, except the X5 xDrive30d, are benefactors of energy efficient vehicle (EEV) incentives which enable them to be priced competitively.

BMW has a long-established history with diesel engines in Malaysia, going back to the E60 530d it launched in 2004, followed by a more concerted push with four diesel models in 2009. Since then, BMW has been carrying diesel variants of the 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, X1, X3, and X5 in our market at some point or another.

Benefiting from EEV tax exemptions under the national automotive policy, the X5 xDrive40e and 330e are priced at RM388,800 and RM248,800 respectively, with both models attracting strong interest from Malaysian consumers. Sources have informed us that the waiting period for the X5 xDrive40e currently stretches over a year long.