2003

Dr Thomas Weber assumes responsibility for the Group "Research & Technology" department. He succeeds Klaus-Dieter Vöhringer, who left the position at the end of the year.

At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan/USA, Mercedes-Benz starts the year 2003 with three world premieres and two USA premieres: On show for the first time will be the new Estate of the E-Class model series 211, the twelve-cylinder SL 600 sports car (model series R 230) and the F-Cell fuel cell vehicle based on the A-Class. In addition, the new 4MATIC models of the C-Class (model series 203) and S-Class (model series 220) will be launched in North America.

With the 209 series convertibles, the second all-new generation of the CLK Convertible celebrates its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show. Top-of-the-range is the CLK 55 AMG with 270 kW / 367 hp. Other new products are the E 400 CDI with the eight-cylinder OM 628 diesel engine and an output of 191 kW / 260 hp and the CL 65 AMG with a 450 kW / 612 hp twelve-cylinder biturbo unit from the M 275 engine series.

DaimlerChrysler AG acquires a 43 % share in Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC). In buying the shares DaimlerChrysler becomes principal shareholder and takes over the industrial management of MFTBC.

With the start of production of the new Actros, the DaimlerChrysler Commercial Vehicle Division continues its strategic product initiative. The flagship model among the heavy-duty trucks sets new standards for economic efficiency and customer focus. The new Actros generation replaces what has become the best-selling heavy-duty truck in Europe and was first introduced in 1996.

DaimlerChrysler Bank AG officially opens its new headquarters at Stuttgart's Pragsattel in the presence of Baden-Württemberg's Minister President Erwin Teufel and DaimlerChrysler Board of Management Chairman Jürgen E. Schrempp and presents its business figures and first fund product to the press.

Binz GmbH & Co. KG in Lorch, Württemberg, commences series production of the lengthened chassis of the E-Class from the 211 series. As with the predecessor generation, Binz produces the lengthened chassis with partial bodies by converting bodyshells from the E-Class Estate, supplied without roof panelling, rear doors and tailgate by the Sindelfingen plant.

At its environmental press conference in Stuttgart, DaimlerChrysler AG presents the world's first synthetic diesel fuel which has no impact on the CO2 balance in the atmosphere during driving. Derived from the complete use of organic substances, the fuel releases the same amount of carbon dioxide upon combustion in the engine as is taken from the air during plant growth.

Mercedes-Benz is the first car brand in the world to offer for its bestselling diesel passenger cars the combination of EU 4 emission standard compliance and diesel particulate filter, initially for the C-Class and E-Class with four-cylinder CDI engines. In February 2004 the CDI six-cylinder of the E-Class and S-Class follows suit with EU 4 and diesel particulate filter. The diesel particulate filter developed by Mercedes-Benz requires no additives and remains effective over a very long operational life.

On the initiative of DaimlerChrysler AG and under the auspices of the European Union, a convoy of ten Mercedes-Benz Actros combinations carrying more than 200 tonnes of goods for reconstruction projects sets out for Afghanistan from Stuttgart. On the one hand, the purpose is to bring goods urgently needed for reconstruction efforts to Afghanistan; but the idea is also to show cost-efficient possibilities for transporting goods on the so-called TRACECA route (Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia) to Central Asia and at the same time subject the state-of-the-art truck technology to severe testing under demanding real-life conditions. After three-and-a-half weeks and 6000 km through the Balkans, the Caucasus and Central Asia the convoy reaches its destination on 30 September.

At the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt/M. Mercedes-Benz presents the near-production study "Vision CLS" and the high-performance sports car SLR McLaren (model series 199) developed together with McLaren. Its new 460 kW / 626 hp 5.5-litre supercharged V8 engine from the M 155 series is built by Mercedes-AMG. The 4MATIC variants of the E-Class Saloons and Estate models (model series 211), the E 55 AMG Estate and the E 200 NGT also make their debut. The model based on the E 200 KOMPRESSOR with bivalent gas/petrol drive is the most powerful series-produced saloon with environmentally friendly natural gas drive, with 120 kW / 163 hp. Mercedes-Benz also presents a hybrid drive concept combining a V6 petrol engine with two electric motors and a nickel-metal hydride battery. smart presents the four-seater model series forfour, the market launch of which begins in April 2004.

With his sixth place in the last race of the DTM season at the Hockenheimring, Bernd Schneider secures the championship title at the wheel of the AMG-Mercedes CLK-DTM. It is his fourth crown following wins in 1995, 2000, and 2001. Christijan Albers, also driving a Mercedes-AMG, takes second place in the championship. With a total of 237 points, Mercedes-Benz comfortably wins the constructors' championship, held for the first time, ahead of Abt-Audi with 93 points. The team award also goes to the Vodafone/ExpressService AMG-Mercedes team.

At the Mercedes-Benz Düsseldorf plant, a representative of the world's biggest parcel service, UPS, takes delivery of a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with fuel cell drive as test vehicle. On 19 May 2003, DaimlerChrysler AG, UPS and EPA, the US Environmental Protection Agency, agreed to cooperate in the practical testing of fuel cell powered vehicles in commercial delivery service.

The new Mercedes-Benz Actrosreceives the "Truck of the Year 2004" award at the BedrijfsautoRAI international commercial vehicle show in Amsterdam. With this award trade journalists from 19 European countries acknowledge the technical features that enable highest levels of driver concentration, the realisation of innovative safety concepts, new electronics concept and the reliability and economy of the new vehicle generation.

Mercedes-Benz presents the F 500 Mind research vehicle with diesel hybrid drive at the Tokyo Motor Show. A V8 diesel with 184 kW / 250 hp and 560 Nm is combined with an electric motor arranged between the internal combustion engine and modified automatic transmission. When starting off, parking, in stop-and-go traffic and at slow speeds the electric drive, which delivers 50 kW and 300 Nm, takes over and enables locally emission-free driving. The diesel engine engages only when more power is needed. The efficient division of labour reduces fuel consumption by around 20 %.

Three Mercedes-Benz Citaro fuel cell buses begin two years of trial operation in daily regular service in Iceland's capital Reykjavik under the EU-sponsored project "Ecological City Transport System" (ECTOS).

Three Mercedes-Benz Citaro urban buses with fuel cell drive are handed over by DaimlerChrysler to Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen AG. A day later these locally emission-free fuel cell buses go into demanding regular daily service on line 44. This allows approximately 4,500 passengers who travel on the route each day between Schlossplatz and Westbahnhof to experience the innovative drive technology in everyday use.

DaimlerChrysler announces a new public-private cooperation project on the occasion of the third Environmental Forum in Magdeburg, attended by more than 300 delegates from 20 countries. Aim of the project, planned in India, is to test the production of biodiesel from jatropha plants grown on eroded soil and to prepare for its subsequent use in internal combustion engines. Other positive effects are the creation of jobs and the reduction of CO2 emissions.

The first production engine to come off the assembly line at the Kölleda plant of MDC Power GmbH is a 1.3-litre petrol unit of the M 135 series. The compact injection engines will be installed in smart and Mitsubishi models.

As part of a charity auction benefiting the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, the first unit of the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is handed over at Christie's in New York to the car enthusiast with the successful bid. The highest bid in the "silent auction" that ended on 30 November was € 1.5 million.