I ran across this article a couple days ago but it completely slipped my mind until this morning. In a recent interview with the German publication Auto Motor und Sport, DaimlerChrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche outlined in greater depth the company's plans to launch Mercedes-branded hybrids by 2009.

According to Dieter: "We won't develop any future models without a hybrid option," adding: "We will offer our customers the right product."

The statements were made as a reference to customer's wishes the company focuses more on hybrid technology as opposed to diesel power, as is the current philosophy.

As for whether Mercedes will implement mild or full hybrids? Initially, models will adopt the mild variant, meaning the vehicle's gas or diesel powerplant is supplemented by an electric motor to provide lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions. This contrasts Toyota's preference of utilizing full hybrid technology - a system that gives vehicles the ability to run exclusively on electric power for no emissions over short to medium distances.

Again, here's what Dieter had to say on the subject: "We will combine our know-how with BMW in a bid to accelerate development. With a mild hybrid we can obtain up to 70 percent of the effect offered by a full hybrid with just 30 percent of the effort."

And that's about it as far as what's being revealed for Mercedes' future hybrid plans. We will of course keep you posted if we hear anything new; in the meantime, head over to Inside Line where you can find an English overview of what Dieter had to say.

http://mercedes-auto.blogspot.com