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Dealers Fearful Of All-Hybrid Mercedes-Benz S-Class Range

 
6 2,288 views Apr 5, 2010
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2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

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According to Mercedes-Benz dealer sources, news that the automaker is considering an all-hybrid lineup for its next-generation S-Class is true. A Mercedes-Benz spokesman admitted to MotorAuthority.com last week that an all-hybrid S-Class lineup was under serious consideration, though nothing had been confirmed.

The reasoning is because of toughening fuel economy and emissions regulations coming into action across the globe. There’s also the matter that Mercedes-Benz wants to use its S-Class as a showcase of its future technologies and hybrids are one such technology that will be prevalent in the automaker’s next-generation of vehicles.

However, the people most in touch with customers, the dealers, say hybrids are still not perceived as icons of true luxury and performance. The same dealer sources have also revealed that even the high-performance AMG S-Class variants could also go hybrid, making the vehicle harder to sell against its gasoline only rivals.

Only a handful of dealers have been briefed on the plan but almost all have opposed the plans. Speaking with Automotive News, the chairman of the Mercedes-Benz dealer board, Tommy Baker, said S-Class buyers are not persuaded by mileage figures and gasoline only models are going to be needed for the U.S. market.

Of course, the next-generation S-Class isn’t due until 2013 at the earliest and a lot could change, including customer perceptions, by then.

A final decision is expected within the next three months.

[Automotive News, sub req’d]





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Comments (6)

  1. By NoNameDenton Posted: 4/5/2010 5:37am PDT

    Do people who buy an S-class worry about fuel economy? Even if it is just MB that is worried about national fuel economy standards they can offset the S class with other models that are fuel efficinet. And if they really want to beat CAFE in the USA with a fuel efficient S-class how about some diesel models for the USA.
     
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  2. By Axel Posted: 4/5/2010 9:07am PDT

    DITTO!! Denton I agree they need to bring ALL the diesels overhere in every aspect of it. The hell with the dealers!!!
     
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  3. By lucifer Posted: 4/5/2010 9:34am PDT

    Perhaps they should experiment 1st w/ a dedicated hybrid. The HS250h is not exactly selling well & that is probably a 3rd of the cost of an S class ...
     
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  4. By R2Dad Posted: 4/5/2010 10:16am PDT

    Euros have seen how incremental diesel acceptance has been here and aren't in a hurry to bring more since our government is biased against them to begin with. Because of dealer reluctance, MB will have to make hybrid technology standard on all US models. If they offer gas AND hybrid versions of the same model, buyers will see the big difference in price between them and opt for gas every time, which would undermine the investment. See, this is the world of unintended consequences when you raise fuel economy requirements without raising gas taxes. Don't get me wrong--I'm not for indiscriminate tax increases, but if you want to use less fuel you have to charge more for it--basic economics. The unfortunate reality is that politicians perceive gas tax increases as a political third rail and refuse to broach the subject.
     
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  5. By bepsf Posted: 4/5/2010 12:28pm PDT

    "The unfortunate reality is that politicians perceive gas tax increases as a political third rail and refuse to broach the subject."
    Then why don't we do as other countries and tax every vehicle registered - new and used, from Vespas to Class A Diesel Motorcoaches - based on engine displacement and/or CO2 & NOx output?
     
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  6. By NoNameDenton Posted: 4/5/2010 5:13pm PDT

    Yeah R2Dad, just what we need more taxes. How about using domestic sources of oil to boost supply, like from offshore drilling to Alaska.
     
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