The return of Mercedes-Benz to its reputation for quality appears to be gathering pace. After the recent successes in the JD Power ratings, a poll for ‘Which?’ magazine in the UK produced great results for the E-Class and C-Class. ‘Which?’ magazine is the UK equivalent of US magazine, ‘Consumer Reports’.
Unfortunately the actual report is subscription only, but Mercedes-Benz UK summarized the findings. The official press release is after the break.
A couple of weeks ago, we reported on a technology deal that Daimler AG and Tesla Motors are working on. While we thought the deal might involve the 1.0l smart fortwo engines, as Autoblog was claiming. According to AutomobilWoche, the deal involves lithium ion batteries that Tesla Motors will be supplying for the Mercedes-Benz electric cars. Mercedes probably realized that Tesla is much farther ahead in the development of long-lasting and durable lithium ion batteries than they are, which is why they opted to purchasing the batteries, instead of making them.
The process of making batteries for electric vehicles as well as hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius, is fairly complicated and resource heavy. In the Top Gear Supercar Fuel Economy Test that we posted a couple of days ago, Jeremy Clarkson shorty explains the process of making the batteries and also points out that more carbon and emissions are produced from making these batteries than they are actually able to save in the long run.
To mark Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday, the international music scene gathered on Friday for a benefit concert in London’s Hyde Park. Mercedes-Benz has supported this unique music event to raise funds for Mandela’s “46664″ campaign against HIV/AIDS with an extraordinary gift for auction – a brand-new Mercedes-Benz C 350, autographed by top acts, prominent guests and socially disadvantaged children from London.
Just last week, Dr. Z made it officially official that Mercedes is actively working on the concept of an electric Mercedes sedan, just as we had predicated a couple of months ago. More news is emerging from Stuttgart, this time its Daimler executive board member Thomas Weber, who told the German weekly news magazine ‘ Wirtschafts Woche’ that Daimler had plans to introduce pure electric versions of the Mercedes-Benz A- and B-class models.
Dieter Zetsche revealed last week that, besides smart fortwo, an electric Mercedes was also in the pipeline. Mr Weber was asked which particular Mercedes model would be available as a pure electric, “one option would be our current Mercedes A- and B-class.”
Mr Weber also added that they are targeting consumers in metropolitan areas with tight emission laws, unfortunately, no sales targets have been disclosed.
We’ll definitely continue to follow these incredible and history making developments, stay tuned!
While Daimler is continuing their efforts to bring an electric Mercedes-Benz sedan to the market in 2010, they have already showcased a first concept of the smart fortwo ED (electric drive). The zero emissions electric smart is powered by a 41hp electric motor and can go 115km (71.4 miles) before having to recharge. Its top speed is 112km/h or 70mph, which is more than enough for congested freeways in the states and around the world. The fortwo ED stores its energy in high-temperature batteries located under the car; it’s charged by plugging it into a regular 220 volt outlet. It does 0-60km/h (not mph) in 5.7 seconds, just like the gas powered version of the smart fortwo. All we need now is for the car to be mass produced.
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