Daimler will launch a hybrid version of its flagship S-Class sedan with lithium-ion battery in 2009. This will be the first production model from Mercedes to be powered by a lithium-ion battery. After that they will use lithium-hybrid technology on the entire model range by 2010 at the latest. Also the newly developed battery concept will be shared with BMW AG as part of the companies’ cooperation agreement on developing hybrid technology.

“BMW will implement this technology shortly after us…This is part of our cooperation agreement,” Mr. Weber told reporters at the show. “We don’t want to keep this technology to ourselves…But of course we secured the related patents for our technology,” he said, when asked whether Daimler plans to offer the technology to other carmakers at some point.

Continental AG will supply the new battery system, which both Daimler and Continental say is the first series production world-wide of a hybrid car using lithium-ion technology.

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