Deutsche Welle English has a great video on YouTube called Made in Germany | Top Secret: Experimental Vehicles that includes a look at a DaimlerChrysler hybrid engine still in development. Fire your corporate spies top American automakers and just watch this video above that includes passing a key card locked door with a "no cameras" warning symbol before entering the DaimlerChrysler lab. After making sure the voltage is off, they go inches away from the hybrid engine, take close up shots and the staff just starts talking about it. All the reporter gets is that it's four cylinders before you see them really start to back off on giving out any details.

The video above also includes the design of the cork interior to the vehicle which became the F-700, the DaimlerChrysler concept limo with DaimlerChrysler DiesOtto enging. The video is a little dated because it was uploaded by Deutsche Welle in September 2007 and the F700 was shown at 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show. With Detroit Auto Show coming up, I thought it was still very interesting to see how a car made it from sketch to car show floor. The video above is part 2 of 4 and you can watch remaining videos below. Enjoy!

Related:

• Mercedes will debut F700 with DiesOtto engine at the Frankfurt Motor Show
• Frankfurt Preview: Mercedes-Benz F700 concept with DiesOtto engine
• Frankfurt 2007: Mercedes-Benz F700 research vehicle with DiesOtto

[Source: YouTube]

Last week, DaimlerChrysler Canada announced a series of incentives for new car buyers and leasers, including an employee price discount and a deal with Petro-Canada for 20 cents off per liter of gas for one year (of "average driving"). So, instead of making higher-mileage vehicles, DaimlerChrysler is giving buyers a little relief at the pump for 12 months. After that, buyers are on their own. Eligible vehicles = all 2006 models, all 2007 models (except Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Sprinter) and the 2008 Dodge Avenger.

This isn't the worst promotion ever, it's not even that bad of one. It's just not as good as taking all the money spent on this voucher program and using it to build lighter, more efficient vehicles that would save customers more money in the long haul.

[Source: DaimlerChrysler]

I am not here to make any personal claims regarding the Chinese motorcycle, scooter or automobile manufactures ability to create a good product. I have very little personal experience with any motor-vehicle to come from mainland China. I have a little experience with their military sidecar bikes, but that is all.

With that said, do any of you remember our coverage of the electric vehicle being sold by a Chinese manufacturer that looked very similar to the Smart? If not, check it out here and here. As of that last posting in November of last year, the manufacturing of that vehicle had stopped. Or did it? Hmmm... check this out here. Phil at Pride of Cleveland scooter shop, whom I have met (cool guy), gives his own mini review upon seeing one:

"The biggest disaster of the show must have been notorious Chinese importer SunL, I don't care how many fake Lacoste dress shirts you hand out, I'm still going to call that Smart Car clone a complete travesty. The bodywork was so bad it actually felt like wood. The windows were just thin sheets of plastic glued in place. The Texans in the booth refused to open the door so I could see if there were any certification stickers inside. They assured me they would be legal for the '08 year. I sure hope nobody mentions this to Mercedes. This show should have taught even the casual observer, if you want to test the quality of a product, just tap it. The Chinese stuff has a feel all its own."

Click here for a site dedicated to SunL's products and their thoughts on the vehicle. This one may not be electric, though. It seems that this Smart-like vehicle has an 800cc engine. The name of the vehicle Sebastian covered was the "City Smart", and this one is the "Mini Cube". How will DaimlerChrysler react to this one?

Also of note: Don't miss the tagline on SunL's vehicle page. It says, "With A 150 different products to enrich your bottom line". Something sound funny about that? I would be glad to check the product out myself, if given the chance.

[Source: SunL via 2StrokeBuzz]

Click on the image for a gallery of high-res images of the Ford HySeries Edge.

One of the two Ford HySeries Edges which will ever be built was put through its paces by USA Today in late January en route to the DC Auto Show (AutoblogGreen has driven it as well) . A cutting edge, alternative fuel vehicle, the fuel-cell plug-in hybrid Edge is described as "smooth, tight, quiet and well-finished." Steering was reviewed as being good but the customisable regenerative braking was a little harder to deal with when set too high, resulting in sudden nose-dives.

The big issue though was that it had "sluggish" performance which was considered to be due to unnecessarily heavy extras such as a second electric motor for all-wheel drive. The vehicle was also utilising less than two-thirds of the battery pack due to requirements of the current testing phase.

Analysis: Weight is the killer for plug-in electric vehicles because the more a vehicle weighs, the more batteries you need which just weigh it down further. DaimlerChrysler is testing fuel-cell vehicles too, but they're working on a modified Mercedes A Series which seems far more appropriate. Still, Ford has the experience and the tradition in trucks and SUVs so maybe sticking with their strengths for the time being isn't a bad thing.



Related:

• AutoblogGreen Drives the HySeries Ford Edge and fuel cell Explorer
• DaimlerChrysler builds first F-Cell fire response vehicle
• Ford loves ethanol

[Source: James R. Healey / USA Today]

DaimlerChrysler has published its preliminary Group and divisional results for the year 2006 revealing that the organisation spent $7.0 billion for the year on research and development. This figure was down from $7.5 billion in the previous year but included the further development of powertrain technologies, alternative propulsion systems such as hybrid drive and fuel cells, and electronic systems for the improvement of vehicle safety.

The most important projects at the Chrysler Group were the development of the new minivan generation as well as on hybrid vehicles. The Mercedes Car Group meanwhile spent its R&D euros on the new generations of the E-Class and CL-Class. DaimlerChrysler's Truck Group focused on major projects including the successor models for the Mercedes-Benz Actros and Axor, for the Freightliner Premium Class and for the Mitsubishi Fuso Super Great.

DaimlerChrysler would probably like me to add that they had an operating profit for 2006 of $7,281 million, up from $6,843 million achieved in 2005, on the back of $4.3 billion in net income.

Analysis: Chrysler dragged the numbers down but Mercedes is raking in the cash. For me though, I'm always more interested in what a company is doing tomorrow, not yesterday. It seems that Chrysler thinks hybrids are the way forward and Mercedes has its money on fuel cells. I wonder if their powertrain bets will be as successful as their respective financial performance?

Complete press release with all the juicy figures after the jump.

Related:

• AGB POLL: Best way to spend the DOE's money
• Minimizing Mass - DaimlerChrysler hopes to curb weight gain
• DaimlerChrysler says fuel cells in Singapore by 2012

[Source: DaimlerChrysler]

In a move some would say is similar the the U.S. automakers stance on revised CAFE standards for light trucks and passenger cars, the major German automakers are in opposition to a requirement to lower emissions standards by producing smaller cars with smaller engines. Just as Lutz was quoted on his blog as stating that "Forcing us to alter the fleets to hit some theoretical average won't change what consumers want, or what they'll buy", German automakers claim that "the German industry, which makes most of its profits from large, fuel-hungry cars, would be penalized unfairly" and that emissions "measures would amount to a massive industrial political intervention at the expense of the entire European, and especially the German, automobile industry."

This was all stated in a last minute lobbying effort and a letter, which also included this statement, "The direct consequence would be the migration of a large number of jobs from the automobile manufacturers and the supplier industry in Germany." The message was directed to Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission.

Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, was also persuaded to lobby on their behalf. It worked. The revised bill cites "other ways of reducing emissions, such as increasing the take-up of biofuels, educating motorists about fuel-efficient driving and requiring roads to be smoother."

Related:

• Lutz: "Forcing us to alter the fleets to hit some theoretical average won't change what consumers want, or what they'll buy."

[Source: The Australian]

click photo to enlarge

The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District has scored a zero-emissions win by operating the Mercedes-Benz F-Cell as a supervisor's vehicle, effectively the first fuel cell-powered fire response vehicle. The Fire Service Mercedes-Benz F-Cell features a number of upgrades on the standard model with decals, lights, sirens and lots of red paint, the operation of which is expected to provide valuable real-world data on fuel cell operations.

Fuel cells release energy from the reaction of hydrogen with a catalyst and oxygen. This clean technology operates at a high level of efficiency and is true zero-emissions. DaimlerChrysler now has the largest fleet of fuel cell vehicles in the world, over 100, with almost 2 million miles logged, and has invested more than $1 billion in fuel cell technology. The DaimlerChrysler fleet includes medium-duty fuel cell Dodge Sprinter vans and more than 35 Mercedes-Benz Citaro fuel cell buses, which operate in Europe, the United States, Japan, Australia and Singapore.

The entire fuel cell system, developed by Ballard Power Systems, is housed in the floor of the vehicle, leaving full use of the passenger and cargo spaces. Range is around 100 miles / 160 km with a respectable top speed of 85 mph / 137 km/h. You might never make it to that speed though as the acceleration from the 88 hp / 65 kW electric motor offers only a glacial 0 to 60 mph in 16 seconds.


The compressed-gas cylinders in the F-Cell vehicles are lightweight and robust. Enveloped in carbon fiber, these aluminum containers can withstand a pressure of over 800 bar.

Analysis: Honestly when I first read the headline I was expecting a huge, red ladder truck straight out of Backdraft. So the fact that its a red A-Class with flashing lights was a bit disappointing. Still, you have to start somewhere and credit to DaimlerChrysler for putting their fuel cell technology out in the field for real-world testing. Considering that hydrogen-powered fuel cells emit only pure water vapor as exhaust, they really are one of the technologies we'd all like to see succeed.

Related:

• A Resource Investors thoughts on the State of the Union address: Back lithium, thorium, hydrogen and more
• Team Fate beefing up a GM Equinox with li-ions for Challenge X
• Volkswagen betting each way on powertrain technologies

[Source: DaimlerChrysler]

In a good overview of diesel's strengths and weaknesses, Transportation News points out that higher emissions continue to be diesel engine's Achilles heal. The stringent California emissions laws, enforced in California, Massachusetts, Maine, New York and Vermont, are such that no current diesel passenger vehicle is available for sale in all 50 states. Thankfully though new designs and technology designed to allow diesel passenger vehicles to meet the 2007 Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards will soon debut and should even up the playing field in the U.S. to a degree versus petrol vehicles although cost will still be an issue.

Better fuel economy, longevity and power are all ticked off as benefits of diesel engines but emissions, especially NOx, require advanced features like urea neutralisation systems and particulate filters to keep the air clean. As AutoblogGreen readers probably know, the Mercedes E320 BlueTec is one of the first cabs off the rank with a Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions compliant urea-based additive system designed to reduce NOx emissions by more than eight times compared to the outgoing 2006 E320 CDI.

As well as leading the diesel bandwagon, DaimlerChrysler also has identified a global trend towards smaller cars with less powerful engines which may see it bring compact models to the U.S. in the future. Currently Mercedes-Benz sells only large cars and SUVs in the American market, in part to preserve the prestige badge, but also for financial reasons partially to do with the weak dollar. If trends continue however, Mercedes may look at bringing its A-Class and B-Class models to the U.S.

Related:

• Volkswagen announces power-train roadmap toward oil free future
• Prius, Bluetec make list of best cars for commuting
• Wards announces 13th annual 10 best engines including Mercedes BlueTec V-6

[Source: Signonsandiego.com]

When most people think of hybrid vehicles, the Prius, or other similar petrol-electric passenger vehicles come to mind. But there is another hybrid revolution under way in the stop-start world of transit buses; hybrid diesel-electrics. Around 20 percent of all transit buses are now hybrid diesel-electric models. In comparison to hybrids making up just 1.5 percent of U.S. car and light-truck sales.

DaimlerChrysler's Orion brand has the lion's share of the market with almost 60 percent of hybrid diesel-electric city bus sales into North America and offers 30-foot, 35-foot and 40-foot Orion VII models that meet all 2007 EPA standards. The installed base of hybrid buses in North America is expected to grow by over 70 percent in the next year alone.

Hybrid diesel-electric technology really makes sense for city buses considering that the average speed of transit buses in New York is just 7mph. All the stopping and starting allows the regenerative breaking to keep the batteries running for longer and the lowered emissions is a boon in modern, smoggy cities. Greenhouse gas emissions are 30 percent lower on hybrid diesel-electric Orion buses in comparison to their diesel-only variants. The recent introduction of ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) is another important factor that really helps make these vehicles very city friendly.

Other advantages of hybrid diesel-electric technology are that engine noise is lowered, engine wear and tear is reduced, there is no roll-back on hills and acceleration is smoother and quicker.

[Source: Bernard Simon / MSNBC]

Following many other companies, DaimlerChrysler has issued its first corporate-wide sustainability report. The new report, dubbed "360 Degrees", replaces and combines two previous separate reports on the environment and corporate social responsibility that have been generated for some time. The format of the new report is based on the Global Reporting Initiative guidelines for companies to use in their reports on sustainability.

The report covers some of the environmental technology that DCX is developing such as BlueTec diesel emissions system and hydrogen fuel systems and their overall strategy in moving toward emissions-free mobility. There is also discussion of the efforts to clean up the manufacturing processes of the company and reduce pollution in areas such as water use, waste reduction and noise reduction. Finally, the report goes into corporate issues like ethics, social responsibility (no land mine production), human resources, and diversity. It's a very wide ranging report and it's available for for downloading at here. The DCX press release is after the jump.

[Source: DaimlerChrysler]

Seems like the diesel craze is actually starting to catch on. And why shouldn't it? We've finally got the new clean diesel fuel. Mercedes just announced they'd launch three new diesel-powered vehicles. And DaimlerChrysler, BMW and Volkswagen said they'd team up on BlueTec. Wait, there it is again. We've been throwing the phrase "BlueTec" around a lot in the last few months. You probably already know that reduces nitrogen oxides by up to 80 percent, but how? Where does the ammonia come into play? And what is this AdBlue stuff, anyway?

For those of you who prefer diagrams and moving images, here's a short video we were lucky enough to stumble upon over at YouTube. It seems to have been created by Mercedes, but is distributed by United Pictures TV, the free TV network.

[Source: United Pictures TV via YouTube]

Odyssey Day 2006 is quickly approaching and to celebrate 22 ethanol and biodiesel retailers in Iowa will be holding a single-day discount on their alternative fuels on Thursday, October 12 (that's tomorrow, so you don't have to check a calendar).

What is Odyssey Day? It's actually a national, biennial event coordinated by the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium that promotes awareness of alternative-fueled vehicles in order to demonstrate that they are an integral part of the solution to America's environmental and energy needs. The consortium's goals include:

• The encouragement of investment in a nationwide alternative fuel infrastructure
• Lobbying for alternative fuel vehicle tax rebates and incentives
• Alternative fuel and AFV education
  

Among their major sponsors are automakers DaimlerChrysler, Honda and Toyota as well as John Deere and electric utility vehicle manufacturer Gem Car. For more information visit the official Odyssey Day website.

The event in Iowa is being co-sponsored by the American Lung Association and the Des Moines Area Community College and will include a tradeshow featuring alternative-fueled vehicles.

[Source: Des Moines Register]

Over the past month, GM and Honda have relished in the fuel cell spotlight. Enough is enough, says DaimlerChrysler. To get in on the media blitz, they've started taking automotive journalists on ride-alongs in their Mercedes F600 Hygenius fuel cell prototype which was first introduced to the public at last year's Tokyo auto show.

Auto Express was the first to be granted the passenger seat of DaimlerChrysler's hydrogen car. Journalist Paul Bailey comments on the futuristic lines of the vehicle and says that "the most spectacular achievement is the space." It's a bit humorous to hear that quote come from someone who's sitting inside one of the most technologically advanced vehicles in the world.

The F600 features an advanced lithium-ion battery which complements its fuel cell stack somewhat similar to a hybrid. At low speeds, the motor pulls power from the battery leaving the higher performance work for the stack. The car also offers what Mercedes calls a "hydrogen turbocharger." Bailey says it "forces more gases through the engine," but from what I understand, it uses a compressor to stream more hydrogen through the fuel cell stack creating a higher electrical output for use by the motor.

As for performance, the F600 will do 0-60 in 11.7 seconds with a top speed of 105 mph and an average range of 248 miles.

[Source: Auto Express]

On Tuesday a new joint Hybrid Development Center officially opened in Troy, MI. General Motors, DaimlerChrysler, and BMW have contributed more than 500 engineers, technicians and other support staff to the facility that will work on developing the dual mode hybrid system that they are all planning to use in upcoming vehicles. More than 150 of the staff will be coming from Europe. GM has already announced plans to use the new system in the new GMT900 SUVs and also on an updated version of the Saturn Vue hybrid. They showed a prototype Chevy Tahoe at this year's SAE World Congress. Chrysler expects to hit the market first with the 2008 Dodge Durango Hybrid. So far BMW has not said what vehicles would get the new hybrid drive-train, although the new X5 seems like a likely candidate. The dual mode system allows the vehicle to operate in different ways at low speeds and higher speed, At lower speeds the system is able to operate in both full battery only, gas only or blended modes. The full battery mode is something the current Honda hybrid systems can't achieve. The system is also designed to be able to be applied to front, rear and all-wheel drive vehicles. The three companies have their own work areas in the new facility as well as colaborative areas. They will be combining technology and sharing components while trying to give each vehicle it's own character.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

It looks like Chery may be very close to finalizing a deal to build the B-Class Hornet for Chrysler. Daimler-Chrysler has repeatedly told analysts that they will have a deal to build the Hornet in place by the end of 2006. They definitely need a car like like the Hornet quickly, as the smallest car they currently offer is the Caliber, which is selling well but cannot compete with the likes of the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris.

According to Automotive News, Malcolm Bricklin of Yugo (and on a more positive note Subaru) infamy, is actually pleased about the possibility of a deal between Chery and Chrysler. Bricklin announced his plans to import Chery vehicles to the US market under the Visionary Vehicles banner a couple of years ago. Bricklin has had difficulty signing up dealers for Visionary Vehicles because of concerns about quality from Chery (thanks in large part to the Yugo debacle). Bricklin claims that a Chrysler-Chery deal could help demonstrate the credibility of Chery's production quality and make his plans easier. Of course depending on the nature of the deal it could come back to bite both Bricklin and Chery if they're not careful. To date Chery has not been known for either ethical behavior or quality. They did clone the Daewoo Matiz to create the Chery QQ. Hopefully, GM and Ford will be able to just bring their European B-Class cars to this market without having to resort to outsourcing to China.

[Source: Automotive News - subscription required]