Mercedes-Benz Alternative-Fuel Lineup

Daimler AG unveiled 18 alternative-fuel vehicles at the Frankfurt auto show, 17 of which will go into production by 2010. A half dozen or more of them will come to the United States.

Hybrid versions of the Mercedes ML 450 and S 400 will go on sale in the United States in 2009.Mercedes will launch clean-diesel versions of the GL and ML SUVs and the R-class crossover next year. Those light trucks will meet emissions requirements in all 50 states.

Currently, the E 320 Bluetec passenger car's diesel engine is sold in 42 states.Alternative-power versions of the Smart city car also could cross the Atlantic.

A trial with 100 electric Smart ForTwo cars has begun in London.Europe will get a Smart hybrid this fall, as well as diesel hybrid versions of the E and S class in 2010.

Said CEO Dieter Zetsche: Every one of the cars "demonstrates breathtaking design, driving pleasure, safety, dynamism and responsibility for the environment - all of which belong together at Mercedes-Benz across our entire model range."

Maier says Mercedes put on the extravaganza to demonstrate that "we want to be in the forefront with the environment."

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