Mercedes-Benz is introducing six clean fuel vehicles to North
America for the first time at next week’s LA Auto Show. The E350 BlueTEC diesel sedan is of immediate interest to drivers in the United States because of its upcoming rollout date. The Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTEC features a 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine
capable of producing 210 horsepower when pushed to the limit. The automaker
touts a 30% fuel savings from the E350 BlueTEC diesel compared to its gas
counterpart. As well, the E350 BlueTEC features the AdBLUE SCR system, which
reduces nitrogen oxide emissions significantly. This model will be available for purchase throughout
the United States in spring 2010.
The Mercedes-Benz F-Cell display sounds like a popular destination for LA Auto Show attendees. This fuel-cell vehicle travels up to 240
miles per tank on compressed hydrogen. Mercedes-Benz notes that the F-Cell achieves
a gas-equivalent EPA rating of 86.6 miles per gallon. While the E350 BlueTEC
will hit Mercedes-Benz dealerships next year, the F-Cell requires a multi-stage
rollout beginning next fall. Mercedes-Benz will deliver 200 F-Cell units to
American and European drivers on short-term leases by fall 2010.
Visitors to the LA Auto Show will also see the ML450 Hybrid
produced by Mercedes-Benz. This dual-mode hybrid allows drivers to achieve 46%
fuel savings compared to comparable SUVs. The 3.5-liter V6 gas engine produces
335 horsepower, which meets the needs of drivers traversing hills and rough
terrain. Mercedes-Benz initiated a lease program this month for the ML450
Hybrid through European dealers. The ML450 Hybrid is currently available for
36-month and 60-month leases with monthly payments as low as $549.
The diversity of the Mercedes-Benz clean vehicle lineup
shown at the LA Auto Show provides a blueprint to other automakers.
Mercedes-Benz is introducing the E350 BlueTEC diesel around the world with the
knowledge that diesel pumps are readily available. The ML450 Hybrid lease
program will give way to an aggressive marketing and sales campaign if the
initial units perform well. The automaker is approaching the F-Cell rollout
with baby steps instead of large leaps because it is the most experimental of its alternative fuel vehicles. As Mercedes-Benz joins other
automakers in the green vehicle market, we will see that customer demand and
automotive innovation will be stifled by infrastructure. Mercedes-Benz, Toyota,
Ford and others may be responding to customer needs but government agencies are
still behind in developing clean vehicle infrastructure.
