http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/follow-the-leader-daimlerchrysler-to-pursue-hybrid-power/ Autoblog Comments for Follow the Leader: DaimlerChrysler to pursue hybrid power http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/follow-the-leader-daimlerchrysler-to-pursue-hybrid-power/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/follow-the-leader-daimlerchrysler-to-pursue-hybrid-power/
DaimlerChrysler formed an alliance with GM and BMW to produce hybrid drivetrains back in 2005.]]>Mar 14th 2007 9:12PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/follow-the-leader-daimlerchrysler-to-pursue-hybrid-power/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/follow-the-leader-daimlerchrysler-to-pursue-hybrid-power/Mar 14th 2007 10:13PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/follow-the-leader-daimlerchrysler-to-pursue-hybrid-power/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/follow-the-leader-daimlerchrysler-to-pursue-hybrid-power/
The article's implied message that mild hybrids are merely stepping stones toward full hybridization is probably wrong, at least for the European market.

@CH:

DCX just pledged that ALL of its future vehicle designs will be capable of hybridization, which is a change of heart. Among other things, it means all future floorpans will have to be designed such that a battery/ultracap pack can be fitted. Toyota has already done that for its new Camry platform.

@ doglet:

Diesel hybrids don't make economic sense. The incremental cost of the heavier cranktrain and crankcase, the high-pressure fuel system and injectors, external cooled EGR, DPF plus (future) NOx aftertreatment is already high. Adding anything but a very mild hybrid system would lead to very long amortization periods for the cost over and above a conventional gasoline ICE, even at European fuel prices - never mind American ones. Besides, both diesels and electric motors deliver high torque at low RPM, so the two don't complement each other all that well. You end up with relatively low specific rated power.

The low hanging fruit is for a large number of American consumers to make sure their next car gets 35-40 MPG. Straight turbodiesels can deliver that with perfectly acceptable vehicle performance, one reason they are so popular in Europe. There is arguably little economic or ecological value in shooting for expensive MPG superlatives of which only a few can be built or, that only a few are willing to actually buy. This is especially if car makers must continue to produce a lot of high-margin gas guzzlers to fund such extravagance.]]>Mar 15th 2007 5:14AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/follow-the-leader-daimlerchrysler-to-pursue-hybrid-power/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/follow-the-leader-daimlerchrysler-to-pursue-hybrid-power/ If they have the $$$ to buy an upscale MB then why would they worry about how much fuel it takes to run it??
Only someone like me that doesn't have those $$$ would want a super fuel efficent auto in order to justify the price an MB commands. I'll have to save over a rather long time before I have those $$$. But then it will probably be the last car I'll need for the rest of my life.]]>Mar 15th 2007 8:59AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/follow-the-leader-daimlerchrysler-to-pursue-hybrid-power/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/follow-the-leader-daimlerchrysler-to-pursue-hybrid-power/I was tring to say if a person has the $$$ he will not buy a hybrid/diesel but will buy a straight diesel or gasoline powered car. He will not be worried about the cost of the fuel or amount of fuel he has to purchase because he does have the $$$ to pay for it.Cost is not a real issue if you have lots of $$$.]]>Mar 15th 2007 9:05AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/follow-the-leader-daimlerchrysler-to-pursue-hybrid-power/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/follow-the-leader-daimlerchrysler-to-pursue-hybrid-power/
Well said and very informative post.]]>Mar 15th 2007 10:51AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/follow-the-leader-daimlerchrysler-to-pursue-hybrid-power/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/follow-the-leader-daimlerchrysler-to-pursue-hybrid-power/
Full size sedans that get about 60 MPG would take the market by storm.

I guess the American companies will just sit back and watch as the Europeans and Asians dominate this new market too? Then they will go to congress and beg for a bail out. You just have to shake your head at the lack of leadership and innovation of the Big 2.5.

The more I think about this the more upset I get. Why is Ford not producing the Reflex? Why does GM show us the Volt and then tell us to eat dirt instead of building the damn thing?]]>Mar 15th 2007 6:39PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/follow-the-leader-daimlerchrysler-to-pursue-hybrid-power/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/follow-the-leader-daimlerchrysler-to-pursue-hybrid-power/Mar 15th 2007 9:20PM