Mercedes 2008 Annual Report Download - page 11

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Overview of the Group |Chairman’s Letter |7
Furthermore, we will pass important milestones in 2009 on our way to emission-
free driving. We will launch limited editions of an electric smart and a Mercedes-
Benz with fuel-cell drive this year. A short time later, we will produce the first
Mercedes-Benz with battery-electric drive. We are now directly involved in
the development and production of the latest lithium-ion technology, which will
be applied in all three of those vehicles. At the same time, we are cooperating
with energy providers and other partners on the development of the infrastructure
required for electric vehicles. That comes at a significant cost, but it is money
well invested. We want to be the engine of sustainable mobility. In the current
situation, we place top priority on investing in products, technologies and
strategically important markets.
I would like to thank you, our shareholders, for your trust. Our thanks also go
to our employees, whose skills and efforts allow us to meet the challenge of the
global economic crisis from a position of relative strength. Our employees’ pursuit
of excellence is also the key to achieving our goal of emerging stronger from
this recession.
This economic situation is unusual, but so is our determination. We will stay on
track. To help us do so, I would like to ask for your continued support in the future.
Yours sincerely
Dieter Zetsche