Some people may make their decisions based on what the stars are doing and although sometimes that may lead to some poor decisions, the current trend adopted by celebrities might make a positive effect on our ecological footprint. That trend is, of course, driving around in some of the hottest fuel-saving, low emissions vehicles available.

The highlight, of course, will be the new BlueTEC models in the Mercedes-Benz R, E->ke373, ML->ke2901 and GL-Class->ke402 ranges. Mercedes insists that more and more celebrities from the worlds of film, TV, and music are making the switch to, not only a hybrid, but a Mercedes hybrid. These exceptional vehicles were the first to meet the US exhaust emission standards in all 50 states and provide a 30% reduction in fuel consumption as compared to the petrol engines by Mercedes->ke187. Some of the fabulous names driving these vehicles are Sarah Jessica Parker, Molly Sims, Nicole Scherzinger, and Rosario Dawson.

The new Mercedes S 400 Hybrid is also becoming popular with the likes of “Sherlock Holmes” star Robert Downey Jr. and the always sexy, Gerard Butler. This model combines a lithium-ion high-voltage battery with a petrol engine that has a combined fuel consumption of 7.9 liters per 100 kilometers.

Hit the jump for more hybrid action plus the Mercedes press release.

Of course, Mercedes are not the only brand selling hybrid vehicles. We cannot forget the car that started it all, the Toyota Prius. According to recent news, the Prius may not have as strong a following as it once had, but actors such as funnyman Will Ferrell, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ryan Gosling, and America Ferrera are just a few of the long list of celebs that have or are driving around in a Prius. Even the Smart car->ke83 got a little celebrity action when the group, Paramore, arrived at the 2008 Video Music Awards driving a blue Smart car. George Clooney drives around town in his Tango 600 and even Paris Hilton has gone green with her GMC Yukon->ke266.

This is, by far, the short list of celebrities driving around in hybrids and electric vehicles and although we would hate to think that the only reason some people opt for the green car is celebrity based, we have to applaud their choice nonetheless.

Press Release

Eco is in: International celebrities from the worlds of film, TV and music are increasingly switching over to cars with reduced environmental impact and are choosing BlueTEC and hybrid models from Mercedes-Benz. It is above all in Hollywood that the Stuttgart-based car brand's fuel-saving, low-emission vehicles are setting a new standard for luxury combined with environmental protection.

The front-runners in this trend are the new BlueTEC models in the Mercedes-Benz R, E, ML and GL-Class ranges – the first diesel vehicles to meet the rigorous US exhaust emission standards in all 50 states. Golden Globe and Emmy winner Felicity Huffman (“Desperate Housewives”) has a Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC vehicle in her garage. "Sex and the City" star Sarah Jessica Parker and Gilles Marini as well as actresses Liv Tyler ("The Lord of the Rings"), Rosario Dawson ("A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints"), Christina Applegate ("Married with Children") and Molly Sims ("Yes Man") and singer Nicole Scherzinger have also switched to the world's cleanest and most advanced diesel vehicles.

These vehicles combine exceptional performance and a long range with low fuel consumption which reduces their environmental impact. BlueTEC technology is an innovative emission control system which reduces exhaust emissions effectively and makes diesel vehicles so clean that they already fulfil the EU 6 regulations valid from 2014. At the same time, fuel consumption is up to 30 percent lower than that of comparable petrol engines.

Along with the BlueTEC models, the new S 400 HYBRID is also becoming a popular choice among movie and music stars. With this model, which was launched last year, Mercedes-Benz became the world's first manufacturer to market a hybrid vehicle with a lithium-ion high-voltage battery. Thanks to its innovative technology, this model is the most economical luxury saloon with a petrol engine. Together, the two drive technologies allow it to attain a combined fuel consumption figure of just 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres. Well-known drivers of the S 400 HYBRID include "Sherlock Holmes" star Robert Downey Jr. and Gerald Butler.