Hybrid joint ventures are the news of the day, as the traditionally hybrid-resistant German automakers are now joining the hybrid bandwagon.
BMW is joining up with GM and DaimlerChrysler to develop the “two-mode” hybrid system. The hope is that the two “modes” might allow the system to maximize fuel economy in both city and highway driving, but the target is technology that “boosts both acceleration and fuel economy by 25 percent”—sounds more like a “muscle hybrid” to me. The 25 percent fuel economy improvement seems pretty paltry compared to the 40-100 percent fuel economy improvement seen in hybrids from Ford, Honda and Toyota. And a 25 percent acceleration boost is about what the average vehicle has seen over the past 15 years. This sounds like a wrong turn at a time when gas prices are making people think even more about fuel economy.
Also interesting to note that while VW is going to “go it alone” for hybrid development for the US and Europe, they’re teaming up in China to bring hybrids to that burgeoning market. Given fuel economy standards are actually higher there than they are here, it will be interesting to see how hybrids become part of the Chinese automotive landscape, and what that might mean for the global mainstreaming of hybrid technologies. In all, an interesting day…
Posted by: ScottN
New Mercedes Hybrid, I found this press release on emercedesbenz.com
http://emercedesbenz.com/Sep05/13MercedesIntroducesHybridSClass.htm
Posted by: Jari | September 13, 2005 at 07:42 PM