BMW Will Match Cash for Clunkers Rebate on New Diesels

Now, the Cash for Clunkers deals get interesting.
The program, which offers Americans up to $4,500 toward the purchase of a new car when buyers trade in an older, less-efficient car to be scrapped, officially launches today. Automakers have begun to announce a number of promotions tied to the program.
Motor Trend reports, "Until the end of August, BMW will provide $4500 in incentives toward the purchase of a 335d or X5 xDrive35d." The incentives, which the German automaker is calling an "eco-credit," apply whether or not the buyer is able to turn in an older car to cash in on the government's new program. After all, MT notes, the X5 doesn't qualify, since it carries a base price over $45,000. But the 335d does.
The incentives are a surprise from BMW, which usually doesn't discount its cars significantly. Autoblog notes, "When Chrysler started its new "Double CA$H For Your Old Car" promotion that included up to $4,500 in incentives on select vehicles, we weren't that surprised. After all, there are plenty of Chrysler products with at least that much cash on the hood. News that BMW is following suit with the same $4,500 in rebates on the purchase of a diesel powered 335d or X5 is a bit more surprising."
The offer may be a sign, Autoblog muses, of "a lack of acceptance for diesel-powered luxury vehicles in the US." The diesel-powered 3-Series has been a critical success, but car shoppers have not yet joined in press enthusiasm for the cars.
The offer, however, might change some minds. AutoSpies notes that buyers of the diesel-powered 3-Series "also receive a $900 tax credit" intended to stimulate sales of fuel-efficient cars. Combining the $4,500 voucher for a clunker trade-in, BMW's $4,500 "eco credit," and the $900 tax credit, buyers could save nearly $10,000 off the most fuel-efficient 3-Series model. The program runs until August 31.