December 2008
Mercedes-Benz is showing the way ahead in environmentally responsible electro-mobility by presenting its near-series Concept BlueZERO at the North American International Auto Show in January 2009. Based on a single vehicle architecture, this intelligent, modular concept allows three models with different drive configurations, all of which are able to meet customer requirements in terms of sustainable mobility.
Investment in the powertrain of the future --- Partnership between Evonik Industries and Daimler in Li-Tec pushes forward research, development and production of cells for lithium-ion batteries --- Evonik and Daimler combine key technologies for success --- Entry into a multi-billion market imminent --- Establishment of an additional joint venture for the development and production of lithium-ion batteries for passenger vehicles, buses and commercial vehicles.
In future Mercedes-Benz is equipping its luxury class models as the first premium brand with a display screen that allows the driver and front passenger to view two different programmes at the same time. This is made possible by new SPLITVIEW technology which the brand is introducing in the S-Class for the first time.
Over 100 electric cars for Rome, Milan and Pisa --- Joint pilot project with Italy's largest energy supplier --- The next milestone on the road to urban electric mobility.
November 2008
With the establishment of the "e-drive Project House" at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Daimler AG and KIT are initiating a research cooperation for electric drive systems. This unique pooling of expertise from science and industry will considerably expedite the market maturity of pure electric drive and hybrid vehicles.
October 2008
With car2go, Daimler is launching a completely new mobility concept and is providing a future-oriented answer to increasing traffic volume in urban areas.
On October 24, the first pilot phase will start in the southern German city of Ulm where car2go will be tested in real-life conditions.
September 2008
Nighttime journeys by car are about to become safer in future: Mercedes-Benz has developed an innovative system that automatically adapts headlamp range to the distance of vehicles ahead or to oncoming vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz is launching its first passenger car model equipped with a hybrid drive system in summer 2009 - the S 400 BlueHYBRID. The combination of a modified V6 petrol engine and a compact hybrid module makes the S 400 BlueHYBRID the world's most economical luxury sedan with a spark-ignition engine. The NEDC combined fuel consumption is a mere 7.9 liters per 100 kilometers. This makes for the world's lowest CO2 emissions in this vehicle and performance class - just 190 grams per kilometer.
Joint project with more than 100 electric vehicles from Mercedes-Benz and smart and 500 charging points provided by RWE --- Environmentally compatible and customer-friendly mobility concept --- Serial development phase starting now, first vehicles beginning end of 2009.
One millionth smart fortwo rolls off the production line in Hambach --- 90,000 smart fortwos sold worldwide since the start of the year, more than 16,000 of them in the USA --- Dr. Dieter Zetsche: "The smart fortwo electric drive makes zero emission driving in an urban environment a reality".
August 2008
Worldwide Hub of Hybrid Development for Daimler Trucks --- Also Underway: Mitsubishi Fuso Hybrid Fleet Test in Europe --- New Milestones of ”Shaping Future Transportation”.
Ten Fuso Canter Eco Hybrids presented to eight renowned customers --- Fuel consumption reduced by up to 15 percent --- The three-year fleet test is part of Daimler’s “Shaping Future Transportation” initiative.
Accident researchers at Mercedes-Benz are acutely aware of the danger in nodding off at the wheel (the "one-second nap"). In the view of these specialists, long holiday journeys without intermediate breaks involve a high risk of overtiredness, whose signs drivers often fail to notice in time. For this reason Mercedes-Benz has developed the innovative driver support system Attention Assist.
July 2008
The new generation of the Mercedes-Benz Travego takes front stage with a world premiere: for the first time the multiple-award-winning Active Brake Assist is being used in a coach. Known as an emergency-braking assistance system, when the risk of crashing into the rear of a slower vehicle ahead is acute, after giving graduated warnings this active safety system automatically brings about emergency braking if the driver shows no reaction.
