Mercedes CEO: extending hybrid to all models, S400 PHEV coming next, 20-mile EV range, 2012.

Rybold · 10-09-2009, 03:39 AM

Even more impressive, Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler, is promising a hybrid version of each of Mercedes’s high-volume cars and a plug-in hybrid in 2012.

“I am convinced that many customers continue to want a comfortable and spacious car. They would not like to be called callous by their neighbor because the fuel consumption is astronomic,” Zetsche said in an interview with Automotive News.

Mercedes-Benz will trumpet the S400 hybrid in a green ad campaign beginning in early 2010. Mercedes expects the S400 hybrid to account for 10 percent of S-class sales

More Mercedes hybrids are headed into production. A Mercedes M-class hybrid SUV, the ML450 Hybrid, with an expected fuel economy of 21/24, is scheduled to arrive by the end of this year, and hybrid gas-electric versions of the C and E classes are expected in the next year or two. When the S class is redesigned in 2012, Mercedes will launch the S500 plug-in hybrid with close to 20 miles of all-electric range, thanks to a 10 kilowatt-hour lithium battery pack.

Mercedes is not going to stop with a plug-in hybrid. The company wants a pure electric car and fuel cell vehicle on the market in the next few years. Zetsche views all of these electric-drive technologies as a continuum. “It starts with the stop-start unit, goes from a mild hybrid to a full hybrid, and then you come to a standard where it flip-flops—electric is the main power and combustion is an add-on,” said Zetsche. “It ends with electric, be it fuel cell or battery electric.”

Mercedes Takes Hybrid Lead Among European Carmakers | Hybrid Cars

patsparks · 10-09-2009, 05:16 AM

Sounds like they are going the soft hybrid route to me.

Quote:

“It starts with the stop-start unit, goes from a mild hybrid to a full hybrid, and then you come to a standard where it flip-flops—

**Tideland Prius** · 10-10-2009, 11:24 PM

I like the way Dr. Z thinks!

Quote:

“It starts with the stop-start unit, goes from a mild hybrid to a full hybrid, and then you come to a standard where it flip-flops—electric is the main power and combustion is an add-on,” said Zetsche. “It ends with electric, be it fuel cell or battery electric.”

Rybold · 10-11-2009, 08:54 PM

We went to Mercedes of Laguna Niguel today and they had an S400 Hybrid on the lot. So it's for real. The problem? They only had one ... and the salesman said "it's not for sale today. It's on display for now. If you are interested in buying it when we do decide to sell it, I can call you." I told him we were just looking. They only had one...and it wasn't for sale. Hmmm. Two ways to look at this: Mercedes is not very serious about hybrids, or else Mercedes is just starting to get serious about hybrids and wants to put it on display to give people an idea of what is coming in the future.

bwilson4web · 10-11-2009, 10:57 PM

What changed?

There has been a long history of Euro skepticism about Toyota hybrids but this is a significant change. I'm just going over in my mind what might have triggered this change of heart:

2010 sales - Toyota can't make them fast enough?
2008 fuel prices - not related to a natural disaster?
USA political changes?

Has public opinion in Europe changed and the old solutions are no longer in vogue? Maybe it is as simple as:

Toyota unveils a new hybrid for Europe | Frankfurt Auto Show 2009 - CNET Reviews

Bob Wilson

**Tideland Prius** · 10-12-2009, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rybold

We went to Mercedes of Laguna Niguel today and they had an S400 Hybrid on the lot. So it's for real. The problem? They only had one ... and the salesman said "it's not for sale today. It's on display for now. If you are interested in buying it when we do decide to sell it, I can call you." I told him we were just looking. They only had one...and it wasn't for sale. Hmmm. Two ways to look at this: Mercedes is not very serious about hybrids, or else Mercedes is just starting to get serious about hybrids and wants to put it on display to give people an idea of what is coming in the future.

Was it a concept or just a display model that's cycling through the dealerships?

PoulStaugaard · 10-12-2009, 01:50 AM

It matches the GS450h, but still consumes twice as much as the Prius. Nothing to brag about, iMHO.

Rybold · 10-12-2009, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tideland Prius

Was it a concept or just a display model that's cycling through the dealerships?

It had a window sticker and was "for sale," $92K I think. Either the dealer owner or else Mercedes told the salesman to hold it until they get more in.

Vincent · 10-12-2009, 06:06 AM

Sounds like more babble talk from Mercedes.

This is a car company that uses fuel efficient 4 cylinder engines in 70% of their world-wide sales, yet dumps only 6, 8 and 12 Cylinder vehicles in the USA.

**Tideland Prius** · 10-13-2009, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vincent

Sounds like more babble talk from Mercedes.

This is a car company that uses fuel efficient 4 cylinder engines in 70% of their world-wide sales, yet dumps only 6, 8 and 12 Cylinder vehicles in the USA.

That's how they make the profits, right? We buy the expensive versions to subsidize the smaller engined markets.

10-09-2009, 03:39 AM	#1
Rybold globally warmed member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,247 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 95 Thanked 29 Times in 25 Posts Friends: 3	Mercedes CEO: extending hybrid to all models, S400 PHEV coming next, 20-mile EV range, 2012. Even more impressive, Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler, is promising a hybrid version of each of Mercedes’s high-volume cars and a plug-in hybrid in 2012. “I am convinced that many customers continue to want a comfortable and spacious car. They would not like to be called callous by their neighbor because the fuel consumption is astronomic,” Zetsche said in an interview with Automotive News. Mercedes-Benz will trumpet the S400 hybrid in a green ad campaign beginning in early 2010. Mercedes expects the S400 hybrid to account for 10 percent of S-class sales More Mercedes hybrids are headed into production. A Mercedes M-class hybrid SUV, the ML450 Hybrid, with an expected fuel economy of 21/24, is scheduled to arrive by the end of this year, and hybrid gas-electric versions of the C and E classes are expected in the next year or two. When the S class is redesigned in 2012, Mercedes will launch the S500 plug-in hybrid with close to 20 miles of all-electric range, thanks to a 10 kilowatt-hour lithium battery pack. Mercedes is not going to stop with a plug-in hybrid. The company wants a pure electric car and fuel cell vehicle on the market in the next few years. Zetsche views all of these electric-drive technologies as a continuum. “It starts with the stop-start unit, goes from a mild hybrid to a full hybrid, and then you come to a standard where it flip-flops—electric is the main power and combustion is an add-on,” said Zetsche. “It ends with electric, be it fuel cell or battery electric.” Mercedes Takes Hybrid Lead Among European Carmakers \| Hybrid Cars

10-11-2009, 08:54 PM	#4
Rybold globally warmed member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,247 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 95 Thanked 29 Times in 25 Posts Friends: 3	Re: Mercedes CEO: extending hybrid to all models, S400 PHEV coming next, 20-mile EV range, 2012. We went to Mercedes of Laguna Niguel today and they had an S400 Hybrid on the lot. So it's for real. The problem? They only had one ... and the salesman said "it's not for sale today. It's on display for now. If you are interested in buying it when we do decide to sell it, I can call you." I told him we were just looking. They only had one...and it wasn't for sale. Hmmm. Two ways to look at this: Mercedes is not very serious about hybrids, or else Mercedes is just starting to get serious about hybrids and wants to put it on display to give people an idea of what is coming in the future.

10-11-2009, 10:57 PM	#5
bwilson4web 03 and 10 Prius Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Huntsville AL with 2003 Prius Posts: 3,876 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: #1 Thanks: 147 Thanked 367 Times in 203 Posts Friends: 20	Re: Mercedes CEO: extending hybrid to all models, S400 PHEV coming next, 20-mile EV range, 2012. What changed? There has been a long history of Euro skepticism about Toyota hybrids but this is a significant change. I'm just going over in my mind what might have triggered this change of heart: 2010 sales - Toyota can't make them fast enough? 2008 fuel prices - not related to a natural disaster? USA political changes? Has public opinion in Europe changed and the old solutions are no longer in vogue? Maybe it is as simple as: Toyota unveils a new hybrid for Europe \| Frankfurt Auto Show 2009 - CNET Reviews Bob Wilson Last edited by bwilson4web; 10-11-2009 at 11:45 PM.

10-12-2009, 01:50 AM	#7
PoulStaugaard Now a PriusOwner Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 91 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 2	Re: Mercedes CEO: extending hybrid to all models, S400 PHEV coming next, 20-mile EV range, 2012. It matches the GS450h, but still consumes twice as much as the Prius. Nothing to brag about, iMHO.

10-12-2009, 06:06 AM	#9
Vincent Don't Wait Until Tomorrow Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 635 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: V Package: Navigation Thanks: 0 Thanked 21 Times in 13 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Mercedes CEO: extending hybrid to all models, S400 PHEV coming next, 20-mile EV range, 2012. Sounds like more babble talk from Mercedes. This is a car company that uses fuel efficient 4 cylinder engines in 70% of their world-wide sales, yet dumps only 6, 8 and 12 Cylinder vehicles in the USA.

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