No other automaker has clocked up as many test kilometers with fuel cell vehicles as Daimler –- yet the company continues to accelerate its pace of innovation. You might ask why this should be so, and whether or not the path to zero-emission mobility is a straight one. Join us on a conceptual stroll along the “road to the future.”
Climate protection, the efficient use of resources, and the growing trend toward individual mobility - in the future, all of these challenges can only be met by achieving sustainable mobility. Innovations that promote sustainability will play a key role here. Thomas Weber, member of the Daimler Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, provides a glimpse of the future of sustainable mobility.
Efficient and environment-friendly commercial vehicles: Daimler Trucks is the world market leader in hybrid systems. With its “Shaping Future Transportation” initiative, Daimler is pursuing a clear-cut objective for trucks and buses – environmental compatibility and cost-efficiency in the transportation sector must go hand in hand. The Mitsubishi Fuso “Aero Star Eco Hybrid” is now setting new standards in practical trials in Japan.
Clean and efficient city runabouts: A hundred smart fortwo ed cars with electric drive are currently involved in a small-fleet practical test in London, where they are demonstrating the advantages of zero-emission driving. Over the next four years, the London Metropolitan Police will also be sending out smart ed models to patrol the city center.
A call for uncompromising efficiency: 36 years on from the publication of “The Limits to Growth,” a study based on computer models, the U.S. systems theorist Dennis L. Meadows takes stock. His conclusion is skeptical and sobering: “The growing consumption of resources has reduced our scope for achieving sustainable development.”
Daimler employees have been going through production halls in Germany with a fine-tooth comb for the past three years in an untiring effort to find ways to cut back on energy consumption. Their success has been impressive. In fact, they’ve already saved several hundred million kilowatt-hours, and that number continues to increase.
42 dimensions of diversity: Ethics, courage, power, age, character, humor – each and every person has his or her very own personal profile. Diversity management at Daimler makes use of the potential and the opportunities resulting from the wide variety reflected in its workforce. Daimler intends to number among the most highly regarded enterprises in this management discipline by 2010.
A major focus of work at Daimler’s Health & Safety department involves the ergonomic optimization of all production workstations. To this end, a preventive “Ergonomic Work System Assessment” is carried out at all production facilities in the early stages of planning for new vehicle generations.
The Daimler road safety initiative “MobileKids” is popular with children. It’s also setting an example – worldwide. Road safety is one of Daimler’s core competencies, and the company has been working to improve road safety among children for many decades now.
Responsibility as a “global citizen” – Daimler views support of social projects, art, culture, and sports as both an opportunity and a special obligation to live up to its responsibilities as a good corporate citizen worldwide.
Eleven years ago, there was great public concern regarding the new Mercedes-Benz U.S. location in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. This plant, where the Mercedes-Benz GL-, ML-, and R-Class models now leave the production line, is renowned today as an efficient and innovative production facility. It is also setting standards within Daimler's production network - not least for environmental protection.
