Mercedes-Benz launches 1st hybrid model in Japan

Mercedes-Benz Japan Co., an arm of Daimler AG of Germany, released the S-Class hybrid sedan, becoming the first foreign automaker to roll out an electric-gasoline model in the Japanese market. The luxury ”S-Class Hybrid Long” is priced at 14.05 million yen (US$158,818) and has about 30% better fuel efficiency than its previous model, becoming the first imported car to be eligible for the Japanese government’s tax breaks for fuel-efficient cars. With the Japanese unit of Germany’s BMW AG also planning to roll out a hybrid model next summer, foreign automakers are jumping into the heated hybrid race currently being run by Toyota Motor Corp.’s Prius and Honda Motor Co.’s Insight. (September 3, 2009)