Executive Message: Dr. Dieter Zetsche
Excerpts from the Statements at the
IAA 2007 Press Conference
IAA 2007 Press Conference
Many of you have doubtless asked yourselves "How green is this International Motor Show?". As you can see, we have been focussing on this issue for some time. And one other thing is sure: today you can expect even more pioneering developments for the future from the inventor of the automobile. We call these our "TrueBlue Solutions", the latest stage in our journey towards an emission-free future. | ||||||||
What's more, Mercedes-Benz is also a premium brand when it comes to "sustainable mobility": not only did we invent the diesel passenger car, we also introduced sophisticated BLUETEC technology to make it cleaner than ever before. Today's BLUETEC passenger cars and trucks already have the potential to meet the world's strictest emissions requirements – including the future EU5 and much-discussed EU6 standards. | ||||||||
Next year, we will be launching the world's first diesel SUVs in the shape of the R, ML and GL 320 BLUETEC, all of which comply with the American BIN5 emissions standard and can be registered in all 50 US states. They also have the potential to meet the strict requirements of the future EU6 standard. So we have come up with a new meaning for "SUV": Sportlich, Umweltverträglich, Verbrauchseffizient – German for "sporty, environmentally friendly and fuel efficient". Then there is the complete package of further improvements, which we are already implementing: from lightweight design, further optimised aerodynamics and reduced rolling resistance and friction to intelligent energy management.
The logical next step is the "BLUETEC HYBRID." As you know, a hybrid is only ever as clean and efficient as its internal combustion engine. And our BLUETEC diesels also lead the world in this respect.
Hence the unique combination of BLUETEC and hybrid make this car a class-leader in terms of both fuel consumption and emissions. This is true for the C-Class, the E-Class and, above all, the S-Class – all of which also provide the ultimate in safety, comfort and dynamic driving pleasure. We have systematically modified the components of our modular BLUETEC and hybrid concept since the last International Motor Show here. Our solution has a decisive edge: it can be used in all our models from the C-Class upwards – both easily and very efficiently. As well as "BLUETEC Blue", Mercedes has further intelligent, innovative drive systems in store for the future. Alongside our BLUETEC initiative, we are also making our petrol engines an even better bet for the future. We now widely offer second-generation direct injection in the form of the E 350 CGI. Plus we will be introducing an extensive efficiency package, including a start/stop function, for further petrol engines next year. This means we are very close to achieving our dual aim of making diesel engines as clean as petrol engines and making petrol engines as economical as diesel engines. | ||||||||
