At the 2007 Geneva Auto Show, a representative for Mercedes said that the company is planning to bring out a hybrid model. Thomas Weber, head of development for the premium division Mercedes Car Group, said "in 2009 we will have the first Mercedes-branded hybrid on the market."

Mercedes, part of DaimlerChrysler, is working on a hybrid system with General Motors and BMW. It is a "two mode" system, designed to maximize performance and mileage at both low and highway speeds.

Weber did not say which model would be the first hybrid. But DaimlerChrysler has previously shown a Mercedes S-Class concept car.

DIRECT HYBRID Concept (image copyright DaimlerChrysler)

Mar. 2007