Mercedes F700 concept

Mercedes is not slacking when it comes to building concepts and releasing cleaner vehicles. But, in a fairly standard automotive move these days, while the engineers are working, the executives are complaining about patchworks. Speaking in Switzerland, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said that the variety of environmental regulations around the world are a big challenge to his company and all automakers. Automotive News (subs req'd) cites the EU's goal of having new vehicles meet a 120 g/km limit of CO₂ while the U.S. is focusing its laws on fuel economy. Zetsche described the situation this way: "Our engineers sometimes feel as if they are forced to play European soccer on an American baseball diamond by Japanese sumo wrestling rules." Zetsche singled out moving targets and different attribute qualifications as problems areas. "We're not fighting against environmental regulations. Our ultimate goal is emission-free driving. It's just that this 'patchwork quilt' of regulations doesn't necessarily support us in getting there," he said. Of course, Zetsche's argument would be a lot more convincing if global automakers didn't already sell different vehicles in different markets. They've been working within a patchwork for decades, sometimes one of their own design.

[Source: Automotive News, (subs req'd)]

GM isn't the only one ready for a lot of hydrogen fuel cell cars. Daimler chairman Dieter "Dr. Z" Zetsche believes that the technology for fuel cell vehicles is here today and that vehicles using the hydrogen-for-energy system will be available in five to eight years time. Zetsche also believes that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will compare favorably with their competition, which we assume means other alternative powertrains like full-electrics and hybrids. One reason he cites as a fuel cell benefit over electric cars is range, suggesting that hydrogen electrics could travel 300 miles on a single tank of hydrogen. One unanswered question, though, is how far will pure electrics be able to go on a single charge in five to eight years time. Still, by refilling a hydrogen tank, the driver gets another 300 miles while it will likely take another full charge for the electric car. Zetsche recognizes that a potential problem area exists regarding the infrastructure that a hydrogen fueling system would require. We remain intrigued by the technology, but recognize that major advancements must be made before jumping on the fuel cell bandwagon. We also believe that other extended-range electric vehicle technologies will allow for many of the same benefits as hydrogen fuel cells.

[Source: Just-Auto (sub. req'd.)]

Daimler's CEO Dieter Zetsche said that the proposed CO₂ emission limits for 2012 (120 g/km) are "unattainable". He also stated that politicians don't realise how difficult that limit will be to reach because the cars that will be on sale in 2012 are " actually at the end of their development cycle and can't be substantially changed. In order to achieve that limit, it should have been set up before, but that's something politicians don't want to listen to".

Despite these words, he said that Daimler AG is actually committed to protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions, although he sees hydrogen as the sole real future option for pollution-free motoring. Remarkably, he also stated that with just one percent of the world's hydrogen production, one million fuel-cell vehicles could be powered per year. He also announced that the company is working on Li-Ion batteries, although he believes that "buyers don't really want electric cars" (he should read AutoblogGreen readers' comments to change his mind).

Zetsche also spoke about Daimler's expectations for the U.S. sales of the Smart (which could lead to profits at Smart for the first time in 10 years), a new CUV based on the C-Class and new more compact supercharged powertrains to reduce fuel consumption.

[Source: El Mundo Motor]