The Audi Mileage Marathon turbocharged into Mammoth yesterday. MAMMOTH TIMES PHOTO/CATHERINE BILLEY

Yesterday, Mammoth Lakes became the 13th stop on a coast-to-coast rally and product launch for Audi's new turbocharged clean diesel technology, the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI.

The car is debuting in America as part of the two-week Audi Mileage Marathon displaying the world's leading fuel-efficient technology.

Audi of America chief Johan de Nysschen, who met with local media last night and this morning at the Westin, has led the rally of 23 Audi TDI vehicles along America's city streets and highways to illustrate how Audi's clean diesel technology answers concerns about fuel prices, energy dependence and global warming.

“The next step is clean diesel technology,” de Nysschen told the Times last night at the Whitebark. “But Audi cannot conquer America on its own. And so we need to bring this message to local communities such as yourselves.”

Press from around the world and the executive team from Audi – both European and American divisions – departed this morning for Monterey, the penultimate stop on the tour before its conclusion in Santa Monica.

“It's the largest one-night group that we've hosted,” said Bill Medove, who booked the event for the Westin. He said the group had changed its itinerary from a stop in Lake Tahoe to include Mammoth Lakes.

By its end, the Audi “green” marathon will have covered more than 4,800 miles, starting in New York and finishing in Los Angeles. Every second Audi sold worldwide is a TDI, except in America, where current sales are only at 3%. “We need the help of our competitors to convince America,” de Nysschen offered. – CB