Full lineup to include hybrid variants of the C-Class, E-Class and S-Class along with a plug-in hybrid S-Class too
Mercedes-Benz wants to have a full hybrid lineup in both Europe and the United States by 2014.
"We have a leading position in the premium segment concerning alternative propulsion systems, and we will defend it," said Daimler's E-Drive and Future Mobility chief, Herbert Kohler, in an interview with Automotive News Europe.
The full hybrid lineup will include a C-Class hybrid and E-Class hybrid variants launched in Europe by 2013 and the S-Class plug-in hybrid (pictured here in concept form) debuting by 2014. U.S.-market launches for those models will follow six-months after their European debuts.
Kohler said that Daimler spends about half of its research and development budget of €4.1 billion ($5.6 billion) on alternative powertrain technologies.
