Mercedes-benz: Cl-class Base Coupe 2-door on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Daimler could sell off Li-Tec's EV battery business

Five-plus years may have been about enough time for Daimler AG to know whether it wanted to be in the battery-pack production business. The Mercedes-Benz parent may stop making electric-vehicle batteries and ultimately sell its Li-Tec battery-cell factory in Germany within two years, according to Bloomberg News which cites Manager Magazin. The beneficiary may be LG Electronics, which would likely take over battery-production duties for models such as Daimler's Smart ED battery-electric vehicle. Daimler is taking a number of steps to improve profit margins, which are thinner than those of its German rivals like BMW. Like its German competition, the company has lagged behind companies such as Nissan, Renault and Tesla Motors in terms of aggressively pursuing growth via plug-in vehicle sales. Daimler spokesman Hendrik Sackmann, in an e-mail to AutoblogGreen, would only say that the battery business is growing "rapidly" and that Li-Tec is developing "according to our plans." "Regarding Li-Tec, we are working on a concept for the future line-up," he added. "The battery cells for the successor of the Smart electric drive won't be provided by Li-Tec." Daimler in 2008 launched Li-Tec as a joint venture with Evonik, though Daimler recently put plans together to buy out Evonik's 50-percent share of Li-Tec, Bloomberg reported last month. Evonik's role was manufacturing electrodes and separators for batteries. Daimler also said last fall that it was looking to cooperate more extensively with Tesla in regards to electric vehicle development. The two companies first said they'd work together in 2009. Featured Gallery 2013 Smart Fortwo ED View 16 Photos News Source: Bloomberg NewsImage Credit: Daimler Green Plants/Manufacturing Mercedes-Benz battery

Mercedes-Benz recalls 3,800 total vehicles in two campaigns

Mercedes-Benz is recalling 3,813 vehicles in two campaigns in the US, and the affected models span the top and bottom of the brand's product range. The larger recall covers 2,956 examples of the 2014 S63 AMG sedan and 2015-2016 S63 AMG 4Matic sedan and coupe. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a software error in the engine control unit can cause the high-performance luxury cars to stall when coasting to a stop. While this can initially appear to be normal operation of the stop/start system, the engine doesn't restart when the driver releases the brake pedal. Getting moving again involves shifting into neutral or park and going through the ignition process. The repair campaign will begin on December 8, and the models will need an update to the engine control unit software. This will also be the second recent recall for the 2015 S63 AMG 4Matic Coupe because another fix will replace their seatbelts. In a more complicated issue, Mercedes is recalling 857 examples of the 2015 CLA250, CLA250 4Matic, GLA250, GLA250 4Matic, and the 2016 SLK300 because a weld on the camshafts might be in the wrong place "due to a production deviation at a supplier." Potentially, the important parts could break and damage the engine. Beginning November 30, dealers will replace the affected camshafts as a precautionary measure. RECALL Subject : Engine Stall due to Engine Control Unit Software Report Receipt Date: OCT 14, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V652000 Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE Potential Number of Units Affected: 2,956 All Products Associated with this Recall Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) MERCEDES BENZ S63 AMG 2014 MERCEDES BENZ S63 AMG 4MATIC 2015-2016 Details Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. SUMMARY: Mercedes-Benz USA LLC (Mercedes-Benz) is recalling certain model year 2014 S63 AMG sedans and 2015-2016 S63 AMG 4Matic sedans and coupes manufactured May 14, 2013, to September 18, 2015. In the affected vehicles, due to a software error within the engine control unit, the vehicle may stall when coasting to a stop, such as at a traffic light. CONSEQUENCE: The vehicle stall may be interpreted by the driver to be a planned shut-down as part of the ECO-Start-function. However, the engine will not restart automatically after releasing the brake pedal, immobilizing the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

Autoblog's top 50 car photos of 2016

This one shouldn't need much explanation. We like cars a whole lot, and that includes not just driving them but taking great pictures of them. We've collected our 50 favorite images from this year in the mega-gallery above. It's a mix of old and new, with a healthy dose of vintage and modern race cars mixed in, and not one single shot under the harsh lights of an auto show. So click through and enjoy. Featured Gallery Autoblog's Top 50 Photos of 2016 View 50 Photos Image Credit: Copyright 2016 Autoblog.com Audi BMW Chevrolet Dodge Ferrari Ford Lamborghini Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Porsche Rolls-Royce Volvo Convertible Coupe Motorcycle Luxury Racing Vehicles Performance Supercars Classics