Now here is a major development in the auto industry. Let's see how many other companies rise to this challenge.

Merc plan fuel seven year ditch



I can't wait.

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"Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear."

"An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens."

-Thomas Jefferson

Very cool. It will be interesting to see what they develop to get there.

Matt

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De duobus malis, minus est semper eligendum

While its obviously the correct way to go, the problem is that there are huge hurdles in alternative energy sources becoming as viable as gas was during the 20th century and early 21st century. Still hopefully that cut-off date will be enough to get them seriously motivated in filling an obvious gap that will eventually need to be filled. Though 2015 isn't exactly far off.

Weather any other auto companies will follow, I don't know. Gas has a ways to go yet.

They're going to be putting that engine in a S-Class?

Great.

Those things start at around $87,000.00, and go up to over $190,000.00.

It'll be a long, long time before we start seeing that technology in an affordable automobile...

Perhaps you should read the article as it states that the entire lineup is going green. Don't assume it's just the S-class because that's what the picture shows.

Don't assume that I didn't read the article. The last line of my post alludes to that.

The C-Class starts at just over $30K, and that's in the 2008 line-up. Where's that price going to be in seven years, just as a result of normal price increases. Now, add to that the fact that anytime technology is brought to market, the price is far higher; the perceived value being in that people won't be spending as much on gas.

So, again, I stand by the last line of my post: It'll be a long, long time before we see that technology in an affordable automobile...

Mercedes is an expensive brand. It's not going to change to an affordable brand just because it's going green.

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"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

7 years? we'll see, I don't buy it not even in 14.....

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Obama-e fungis nati homines....

Ahh, I guess our definition of the word affordable differ.

It's certainly ambitious.

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"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Right now, the "average" person doesn't drive a Mercedes Benz. Why? They're a tad pricey.

If you need proof of that, go out and stand by the highway for 60 seconds. Count the number of Nissans or Toyotas that pass you. Then, in the next 60 seconds, count the number of Mercedes that pass you.

In seven years, the low-end Mercedes is going to be even more expensive. Do you think wages and salaries for the "average" person are going to keep pace with those prices? I don't.

Now, add onto the already increased price of the C-Class the fact that it's using new technology, which needs to be paid for. The way they pay for it is by increasing their prices. After all, they ain't gonna' give that shit away. They need to pay for it.

It wouldn't surprise me to see the low-end Mercedes with a $50-$60K price tag on it...

Well... but the market is totally moving towards electic Cars... and almost all mayor companies state that the future of the automobile is the electic car...

Almost every major car company is developing one... Toyota, VW, Ford, Volvo,... even GM plans to push electic cars on the market in the near future.

Anyways... the idea to make electric/hydrogen vehicles a trademark of luxuary is far better for everyone than SUVs

I am quite excited about this developement.... BTW: They are developeing an electric Smart aswell That's also Mercedes....

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If a Chevy Volt is going to cost around $30K, then it would be pretty reasonable to expect to pay $50K for a luxury equivalent.

There's no doubt that cars that run on alternative fuels will start out as pricey offerings. But with almost all technology, early adopters will pay a premium. Budget alternative fuel cars will come several years later, but they will be available at some point.

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Screw Change!! Let's have a Seamless Transition of Power and Policy.. John McSame in 2008!

More oil for us.

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http://www.fairtax.org

Elminate all taxes on income and replace with a national sales tax.

As soon as big batteries/capacitors for cars are a mass product with a diverse field of producers, prices for this technology will fall and capacities will increase dramatically. (just as it did on the mobile device market)

Combine that with the dramatical decreased cost per mile/km... and you soon seen the consumers jump on the waggon just as it happened when traditional foto cameras disapeared from the market within a few years....

I predict the future to look like this:
You have Diesel-Electic Hybrid cars...

Why Diesel? Well the 2nd and 3rd Generation of Eco-fuel is really promissing (no lame duck Ethanol BS)

Electic for ranges below 200km and the diesel kicks in on long journeys... and perhaps new batteries will soon make quick recharges possible (there are some promissing news about heat & shock resistend Lithium-Ion Batteries )

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