Mercedes says carmakers likely to absorb CO2 costs

While governments around the world rush legislation to raise fuel efficiency standards, premiums on cars will have to inevitably rise as new technology is developed to meet these standards. The question on everyone’s lips is who is going to pay for the implementation of all this new technology.

Not the consumer, if you believe Wilfried Steffen, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz in the UK. Speaking with reporters from Automotive News, Steffen explained that these costs will likely be absorbed by car manufacturers themselves and that it’s unlikely the industry will be able to pass the penalties to the consumer.

While carmakers haven't yet agreed to a single solution to reduce CO2, the amount of legislation being enacted on the subject is causing most manufacturers to sweat as they struggle to increase overall fleet economy.

Mercedes recently launched its new BlueEFFICIENCY range of low emissions vehicles to help meet these standards. To save fuel and reduce emissions, the BlueEFFICIENCY cars feature weight saving and low drag technologies as well as a more fuel-efficient engine range.