Mercedes 2008 Annual Report Download - page 112

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Breakthrough with lithium-ion batteries. One major success
of our research work last year was the breakthrough with lithium-
ion batteries. Daimler was the first carmaker in the world to suc-
ceed in adapting lithium-ion technology to the stringent demands
of the automotive sector. This key technology will be crucial to
the future success of the automotive industry. The new energy
storage device is impressive compared to traditional batteries
on account of its significantly higher performance despite its com-
pact dimensions. In summer 2009, Mercedes-Benz will be the
world’s first automaker to launch a high-voltage lithium-ion battery
in a hybrid vehicle – the S 400 BlueHYBRID. In the future,
lithium-ion technology will be used not only in our hybrid vehicles
but also in our battery-operated and fuel-cell vehicles. For exam-
ple, the latest model of the smart fortwo ed, which will be used in
the “e-mobility Berlin” project we presented jointly with RWE
in September 2008, will also operate with lithium-ion batteries.
A limited series of this electric smart will roll off the assembly
line at the end of 2009. Daimler has applied for more than 230
patents in the field of lithium-ion technology in recent years.
Together with our partner Evonik Industries AG, we will continue
to forge ahead with the research, development, and production
of battery cells and battery systems for automotive applications
(see page 48).
The vision of accident-free driving. No other producer world-
wide invests more in the development of life-saving driver assis-
tance and safety systems. Our holistic “Real-Life-Safety” concept
for passenger cars is based on the findings of accident research
and goes far beyond statutory safety requirements.
Our most recent innovations, some of which will be launched in
the new E-Class in March 2009, reflect our continued commit-
ment to driver assistance systems, which, like the Mercedes-Benz
occupant protection systems, are based on real accident data.
– The new Adaptive Highbeam Assist continuously adjusts the
intensity and direction of headlights in line with actual driving
conditions.
– Night View Assist uses infrared headlights to significantly
enhance safety when driving at night.
– The innovative ATTENTION ASSIST system recognizes signs of
tiredness by registering changes in the driver’s behavior and
urges the driver to take a break if necessary.
– The lane-change assistant warns the driver about vehicles in
the parallel lane that he or she cannot see because they are
in the blind spot of the side mirror.
– Radar-supported DISTRONIC PLUS and Brake Assist PLUS
(BAS PLUS) can prevent more than 20% of rear-end collisions
on average.
– If a driver does not respond to warnings in spite of the immi-
nent danger of an accident, the PRE-SAFE®Brake in the CL-
and S-Class carries out an automatic partial braking maneuver
that significantly reduces the consequences of the collision.
The PRE-SAFE®precautionary occupant protection system from
Mercedes-Benz uses the time between recognizing an imminent
accident and the possible collision to take preventive safety mea-
sures. The new-generation Mercedes-Benz M-Class, the only
series-produced vehicle in this market segment equipped with
PRE-SAFE®, has passed European NCAP (New Car Assessment
Program) crash tests with flying colors and received the maximum
rating of five stars for its exceptional occupant protection.
Outstanding safety in commercial vehicles. Also according to
independent experts, Daimler builds the world’s safest trucks,
vans, and buses. In 2008, Daimler once again put innovative safety
systems into vehicles and on the road through its SafeDrive
Technologies initiative for commercial vehicles.
– The Telligent®lane-assist system uses acoustic and visual
signals to warn the driver if the vehicle is about to drift out of
its lane.
– Tailgating is prevented in trucks by Telligent®Proximity Control
and in buses by a proximity-controlled cruise-control system.
– If a rear-end collision seems imminent nonetheless, the Active
Break Assist system initiates an emergency braking maneuver
with maximum braking power.
– In buses, stability programs prevent skidding and the permanent
brake limiter prevents unintentional acceleration when travel-
ing downhill.
Experts estimate that the widespread utilization of all safety sys-
tems available today would cut the number of serious highway
accidents involving commercial vehicles by half and drastically
reduce the consequences of those accidents that do occur.
Certified environmental management at production locations.
Protecting the environment is a primary objective of the Daimler
Group. We take a holistic approach that aims to reduce not only
CO2but also all other relevant emissions. We therefore take the
effects of all processes into account in our preventive measures,
from development and production to recycling and clean dispo-
sal. In the year under review, we spent €2.3 billion on environmen-
tal protection measures (2007: €1.8 billion).
Daimler has established certified environmental management
systems in order to pursue environmental protection systemati-
cally. The certification of all our sites around the world in line
with international environmental norm ISO 14001 and the addi-
tional validation of our German sites by the EU’s Eco-Manage-
ment and Audit Scheme (EMAS) are important elements of our
environmental management system. Today, more than 95% of
our worldwide workforce is employed in production facilities with
certified environmental management systems. We also regular-
ly review the effectiveness of our systems with external audits,
and the EMAS-certified locations publish annual environmental
reports validated by independent environmental auditors.
In April 2008, the Untertürkheim plant received the international
Energy Efficiency Award 2008 from the German Energy Agency
for its successful creation of a holistic energy management sys-
tem and the resulting conservation of resources.
Conservation of resources and avoidance of emissions.
Daimler views itself as a company that sets the pace for environ-
mentally compatible innovations in production and process engi-
neering. Our main environmental fields of activity are climate
protection, air pollution prevention, and resource conservation.
Daimler’s worldwide energy consumption totaled 10.4 million
megawatt-hours in 2008, an increase of 0.5% from the previous
year - primarily due to the weather-related increased heating
requirements at the German locations in the fourth quarter. The
energy-related CO2emissions of all our plants decreased by
0.4% in 2008 to 3.6 million tons. Thanks to resource-efficient tech-
nologies, we were able to reduce water use by 2.2% between
2001 and 2007. The volume of production-related waste declined