Despite the high cost of development, Mercedes-Benz says that it will continue to develop new green powertrains. While many of the world’s automaker are easing into the pool of alternative fuels and other green technologies because of prohibitive costs, Mercedes’ large profit margins will allow the German automaker to continually develop new technologies.
According to Mercedes CEO Dieter Zetsche, high costs won’t stop Mercedes-Benz from offering diesels, hybrids, Diesotto and fuel cell vehicles. “I hear some competitors speculating that whatever it costs to meet the targets, that will be transferred to the customer,” Zetsche told Motor Trend. “But since this is a legal requirement in order to sell the cars, the willingness of the customer to come up with the full bill will be limited.”
Zetsche also said that the Diesotto engine that debuted in the company’s F700 concept is making significant progress. Despite having only four-cylinders, Zetsche says the powerplant offers similar performance to Mercedes’ 3.5L gasoline V6 and 3.0L turbo diesel six, yet returns 44 mpg.
Looking a little further into the future, Zetsche says that Mercedes will be building one fuel cell B-Class vehicle a day by 2010. Moreover, Zetsche says that Mercedes should be in the mass production fuel cell business by 2014 or 2015. “Today we are convinced by 2014 or ‘15 we can offer fuel cell vehicles that compete technically and on price with conventional powertrains, in the range of 100,000-plus units a year,” he said.
04/10, 3:50 PM
posted by:
400horseSS
That car looks like it has down syndrome.
04/10, 3:58 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
Just like their customers.
04/10, 4:42 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
If we’re running out of oil, is the diesel all gonna come from McDonald’s dumpsters?
04/10, 4:55 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Rot in hell Zetsche you two-faced prick.
04/10, 5:20 PM
posted by:
jumpoffit
mcdonalds? maybe Popeyes or Long John Silvers
04/10, 6:24 PM
posted by:
xkr
that cars a complete mess
04/10, 9:11 PM
posted by:
The Stig
Nice try – the consumer will bear the cost of this development anyway. And in MB’s case the consume will pay dearly in terms of reliability.
04/10, 9:57 PM
posted by:
autonut
Would love to see if diesotto will bear fruit. Quality and car looks are different story. SO far to legally drive diesel Benz you have to pee in it in order not to pollute.
04/11, 12:53 AM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
Benz is the ultimate vehicular status symbol. A Benz is a Benz. A $100,000 Caddy V-XLR has a fraction of the cachet.No american car comes close. You can call the car stupid (or suffering from Down’s syndrome) but in the end it’s an expensive auto and you’re a faggot chump driving a Charger. You lose, homo.
04/11, 2:48 AM
posted by:
fan
dont like the design of the f700 much, either. but after all, take a look at the mercedes “F” series of concept cars… none of them looked really hot, but the production models look exactly like the stylish, elegant and sophisticated cars they are. period.
so, gotta agree with deanster… hardly any other car got the class of a mercedes
04/11, 10:22 AM
posted by:
moto-racer13
Mercedes has alot of money to play around with for development of any kind of technology. Alot of their tech comes from their Daimler Aerospace division. Many car companies making big money and investing in new technology, I just wonder what Ford will do, they have no money, just massive debts to payoff. Ford as not come up with any significant technological developments in over a decade. Even Hyundai is more technologically advanced than Ford. The new Hyundai coupe makes more power from a 3.8 V6 than Ford can produce from their V8.
04/11, 12:00 PM
posted by:
400horseSS
Then there are people like me Tugger who say “damn thats a ugly ****ing Benz” status symbol my nuts.
04/11, 12:01 PM
posted by:
400horseSS
Class that looks like ass, that can be the new slogan.
04/11, 3:51 PM
posted by:
FordTaurusForever
Actually the 44MPG the Diesotto engine delivers is impressive while I usually associate MB with the ultimate Snobs this car is not. They are actually trying to make head way with Greener cars and that the healthy thing that should be commended to MB. and even the look for the Car is almost in line with Ford’s Synergy concept. I actually like it.
04/11, 5:49 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Will mercedes beat BMW in the race for the world’s first luxury hybrid?
04/17, 9:39 PM
posted by:
bigp
i love that they are trying to think of the earth.