Daimler Seeks Hybrid-Car Partners

[JoeT]

Daimler Seeks Hybrid-Car Partners

Reuters 21/09/05
www.news.com.au

DaimlerChrysler is holding talks with other car makers and suppliers to find partners for "mild" hybrids that boost cars' performance and fuel efficiency, its research chief said overnight.

The project – separate from its alliance with General Motors and BMW to develop full hybrids – could lead to hybrid versions of both petrol and diesel vehicles, Thomas Weber said.
"As the Frankfurt car show proved, we are basically at the center of many discussions," said Mr Weber, who is also in charge of technology at the world's fifth-biggest carmaker.

"One sees that Mercedes-Benz is setting some of the trends, so by definition we are highly interesting conversation partners for those in the supplier industry who deal with this area but manufacturers are speaking to us as well."

Daimler showed two Mercedes-Benz S-class concept cars in a Frankfurt car show that feature mild hybrids – simpler and less expensive versions of the technology that saves fuel by yoking at least one electric motor and batteries to a standard engine.

A mild hybrid can boost acceleration and make engines work more efficiently in stop-and-go traffic, but costs less than a full hybrid that can add thousands to the price of a car.

A mild hybrid, however, would not offer the same fuel savings as a full hybrid, and cannot run on battery power alone.
Mr Weber said it was important to try to standardise the technology and thus avoid splintering the market. "At least on the component side we have to have standards," he said.

Daimler's two-pronged strategy of developing full hybrids with GM and BMW while developing mild hybrids in house or with other partners shows it is not being dragged reluctantly into the hybrid market, Mr Weber stressed.

Nevertheless, hybrids have limited market potential, especially given the similar efficiency that a modern diesel engine affords, he said.

[Aerodynamix]

The only hybrid I'd be interested in would be a diesel-electric full hybrid...think of the mileage!

[goblue1999]

Originally Posted by Aerodynamix

The only hybrid I'd be interested in would be a diesel-electric full hybrid...think of the mileage!

Sounds like a cruise ship, or a locomotive.

[GM_Fanatic]

With more people pushing mild hybrids it will become an accepted standard to the consumer faster, which is good for the likes of the Vue and Malibu.

[HEVguy]

Mild hybrids will be an additional marketplace success, just like the more popular full hybrids of late... That is, if the general US population is intelligent enough to realize that hybrids aren't black and white, but have many varieties (of course certain Ford fans withstanding, we all know that he/she (you know who you are) doesn't have the intelligence to realize the complexities beyond black and white).

[Whirling_Dervish]

Originally Posted by HEVguy

Mild hybrids will be an additional marketplace success, just like the more popular full hybrids of late... That is, if the general US population is intelligent enough to realize that hybrids aren't black and white, but have many varieties (of course certain Ford fans withstanding, we all know that he/she (you know who you are) doesn't have the intelligence to realize the complexities beyond black and white).

Oh they'll see the differences. Some for econ, some for performance, some full, some light. But that'll take some PR, which some here think is evil....