VW and MB slow to adopt biodiesel B20 standard
Posted By RichC on September 23, 2008
Once upon a time back in 2007, Volkswagen TDI advocates anticipated factory warranty coverage for higher blends of biodiesel — its not happening as of 2008 or from the looks of things, for the new 2009 ‘clean diesel’ TDIs. We had been told that ADM and VWoA were contemplating B20 as an acceptable blend (they were testing it), unfortunately based on reports from AutoBlogGreen and their question to VW communications director Steve Keyes, Volkswagen is “not prepare to support B20 use.”
It looks as if there is yet another slowdown in acceptance of the B20 target for commercial biodiesel fuel as neither Volkswagen or Mercedes Benz is ready to approve B20. The concerns from manufacturers is that “the higher bio concentrations will result in excessive ash build-up in the particulate filter and other issues,” according to the AutoBlogGreen report. So as of Fall 2008, those of you running percentages higher than B5 (5% biodiesel) in your new MB BlueTec and VW TDI “clean diesel” vehicles might want to take note of the factory position in regard to biodiesel percentages — stick with B5 for full warranty coverage or you may be on you own when dealing with ‘fuel related’ engine and exhaust after treatment problems.
Here are several 
Volkswagen TDI Cup racing had 18,000 fans watching at the Iowa Speedway this past weekend for the 5th racing in the circuit. Jimmy Underhill of Denver, Colorado, took first place at the speedway driving the Jetta TDI for the 33 lap 30 minute sprint. He lead every lap in this impressive VW ‘clean diesel’ and claimed his first victory in the series. He placed third twice before, and second once but indicated that he went into the race feeling confident that he would finish in the top few spots. According to the 
The news for long term investors, home owner equity and equity oriented retirement plans is pretty ugly. Monday’s drop of 504 points of the Dow as continued news that financial companies in the U.S. are in serious trouble triggered by Lehman Brothers facing bankruptcy. Another company, AIG fell 49% on Tuesday morning and has brought the markets down again … the worst daily point plunge in the U.S. stock market since the first day of trading after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. In addition to AIG’s woes, the financial markets were rattled by the rushed sale Sunday of Merrill Lynch & Co. to Bank of America Corporation. Both presidential candidates are rushing to address this crisis, as answers and leadership will no doubt be the hinge-pin to victory in Novemeber.
