DaimlerChrysler Aims To Put Fuel Cell Cars on Road Soon October 2004

DaimlerChrysler AG (DCX) is set to put 100 hydrogen- powered fuel-cell vehicles on the road globally by late this year or early next year, according to Doanh Tran, manager of the Chrysler division's fuel-cell program.

He said 60 of the vehicles will be so-called F-Cell models, which are refitted Mercedes A-Class cars. The remainder are city buses in Europe and three Dodge Sprinter vans for the U.S.

Mr. Tran, who made the comments at an engineering briefing at the company's suburban Michigan headquarters, expects real hydrogen-powered cars to be ready for U.S. shoppers by 2015. But Eric Ridenour, Chrysler's executive vice president of product development, said later at the briefing that any projection more than a decade out is a "guess." Back in 1994, industry officials were projecting that hydrogen-powered cars would be ready by 2004.

To deliver fuel efficiency in the short term, the auto maker is relying on technology that partially shuts off cylinders in gas engines. Chrysler will also try to spread diesel technology with an upcoming version of the Jeep Liberty sport-utility vehicle. Additionally, the company has plans to bring out some type of hybrid vehicle within a few years.

SOURCE: Fuel Cell Works

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