Mercedes still planning to launch ML450 hybrid in 2009
Following the report earlier this week about Mercedes-Benz filing a lawsuit against Cobasys regarding its battery contract for the upcoming ML450 Two-Mode hybrid we contact Mercedes for a comment. Mercedes indicated in the suit that lack of funding for Cobasys from its owners (Chevron and Energy Conversion Devices) was threatening the launch of the program. Spokesperson Donna Boland replied that "court filings usually contain the worst case scenario. At this point in time, we're still planning to launch the ML450 toward the end of next year (and we'll also have the S400 hybrid)." Boland didn't respond to questions about whether Mercedes would consider (or already has) re-sourced the program. She also declined to comment on whether the company might switch to lithium batteries and simply delay the program while it was being re-engineered. In all likelihood a company with the resources of Mercedes-Benz developed a back up plan as soon as problems at Cobasys became apparent. The S400 that is debuting in 2009 does not use the Two-Mode hybrid system but instead uses a mild hybrid system developed with BMW. The mild hybrid system uses a lithium battery provided by Continental.
[Source: Mercedes-Benz]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nick 2:01PM (8/07/2008)
Mercedes is behind again, the German car industry's laggard in hybrid drivetrains. How much mpg will the ML get? 20mpg?
No one likes SUVs any longer, so make something more relevant, that we actually want to buy.
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WhyNotTheC63? 9:54PM (8/08/2008)
it looks like you're behind in the ability to state the facts. Mercedes is ahead. Just not with this model. Enter Smart Fortwo. Most fuel efficient gas powered [non-hybrid] car available in Mercedes' strongest market, the US. Were they "behind again" on this one as well? I don't think so.
Dylan 10:44PM (8/07/2008)
Chevron are clearly trying to stall the introduction of EVs, you can't really blame them, they make a lot of money from selling oil, they don't seem to mind losing a few million through Cobasys when they make a few billion through selling oil. The only reason they are now selling is probably because the NiMH game is up, the monopoly this technology held on the EV world has come to an end thanks to Li-Ion, and they know this company can no longer do what it was purchased for in the first place - to stall EV progress. Let's hope Chevron and other oil companies don't go on a patent shopping spree in a last ditch attempt to keep the status quo.
I think the important thing is people hold their nerve as the PHEVs and EVs hit the market over the next few years and buy these cars, because as this begins to happen, you can be sure the price of oil/gas will fall, at which stage the oil companies will hope that people buy the gas guzzlers because they are cheaper then the EV alternatives.
The next new car I buy will have a plug on it, otherwise I won't even enter the showroom, and I made a point of telling all the car makers at a recent autoshow just that. I'm sure they thought I was mad, but I don't mind, I have money in the bank for a highway capable PHEV/EV, and when someone can sell me one, they can have the money (as long as it's cheeper then a Tesla), until then I will just keep my little old Mazda going a bit longer.
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