Report Mercedes Might Drastically Cut AMG Range From 2020 Due To Strict CO2 Targets

[cawimmer430]

Mercedes Might Drastically Cut AMG Range From 2020 Due To Strict CO2 Targets

Mercedes is reportedly bringing out its axe in order to meet the ever stricter emission targets in Europe, with possible victims including some of the fire-breathing AMG models.

Citing unnamed sources within the company, the Financial Timesreport that Daimler is expected to reduce around 75 percent of the availability of some models within the current AMG range, which has some of the most polluting vehicles in the German brand’s lineup.

Daimler’s current fleet emissions are rated at 138g/km, far away from the 100g/km target and if the carmaker doesn’t comply, it could face massive fines from the European Union in 2021. Limiting the availability of some AMG models will probably help them drop that fleet CO2 average more easily but industry analysts warn that the move could also probe to be a “catastrophe for profitability”.


That’s because the high-performance Mercedes models return more profit than the standard cars. Furthermore, the reduced availability could extend to some of its mainstream models too, like those fitted with 3.0-liter six-cylinder powertrains.

An earlier report said that AMG was considering ditching the V8 engine in the next-generation C63 in favor of an electrified version of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo unit found in the smaller AMG 45 models.

Another report in early November said that the German car maker is predicting 1.2 billion ($1.3 billion) and 1.5 billion euros ($1.65 billion) in downturns for next year.

Mazda is also planning to offer fewer MX-5 models fitted with the 2.0-liter engine in 2020, out of fear of not meeting the aforementioned CO2 fleet emission target; instead the Japanese automaker will focus more on the smaller 1.5-liter version of the two-seat roadster.


Link: Mercedes Might Drastically Cut AMG Range From 2020 Due To Strict CO2 Targets | Carscoops

 

[tristatez28lt1]

Yes, this is especially true for Switzerland where you cannot pool emissions. The emission targets are really tough on the high margin products.

 

[vvvvw12]

 

[Centurion]

Instead of axing a large number of models they should ramp up production of reasonably priced electric cars.

I don't see a Tesla Model 3 competitor on Mercedes near term horizon.

 

[KiwiRob]

Hahahahah 4 cylinder turbo hybrids here we come, the inevitable is just around the corner.

 

[cawimmer430]

I honestly dread where things are going.

There's talk of prohibiting individual car ownership to reduce traffic and emissions, experiment with car-free cities and raising gas prices to sour the car ownership experience of the masses.

What these anti-car morons don't understand is: many of us need a car. I do my part to reduce traffic and pollution in the city by walking everywhere or using my bicycle (I don't like using the bus, train or trams... too crowded and unsafe), but when I have a project in the city then I need to use my car. My car can carry all my gear. Period.

 

[MrRapp]

I’d prefer to have these overall majority of cars with 3 and 4 cylinder ultimately replaced with EV’s and have the 6 to 12 cylinder ICE options still available for the car enthousiasts. This would be similar to how the Swiss watch industry responded to the quartz era: going upmarket with their mechanical watches to cater for people who prefer a more emotional product.

 

[Centurion]

I’d prefer to have these overall majority of cars with 3 and 4 cylinder ultimately replaced with EV’s and have the 6 to 12 cylinder ICE options still available for the car enthousiasts. This would be similar to how the Swiss watch industry responded to the quartz era: going upmarket with their mechanical watches to cater for people who prefer a more...

Mate. I would vote for you if you launched a campaign for Environmental minister.

Model 3 as daily driver + Aventador Roadster for the weekend = No need for Greta Tunberg to get salty.

 

[Rolf]

I don't believe they will axe many models, but AMG have openly said they will introduce a lot more electrification in their next models starting in 2020. The V8's will go plug in hybrid for top models (introduction of 73 badged models) and mild hybrid for six and 4-cylinders, some V8s also now receiving mild hybrids such as GLE/GLS63 models and possibly next E63 models in 2020.

 

[Grosser]

A new 5 cylinder engine would be a good change, based on next gen M254. Don't know when that engine debuts.

 

[klier]

IThis would be similar to how the Swiss watch industry responded to the quartz era: going upmarket with their mechanical watches to cater for people who prefer a more...

Not even remotely similar. Mechanical watches don't hurt the environment.
The 'emotional product' ICE engine will be banned and there will be no use in having one. Other than driving on a closed trackt for very rich people.

What is an enthusiast going to do when he can't drive his car anywhere in any city? Look at it in his garage?
Not to mention, it will be absolutely impossible to keep ICE production lines open just for enthusiasts. This is no charity, and you can't simply keep making ICE cars when the whole backbone and supply chain is falling apart.

ICE craftmanship is disappearing altogether. They stop teaching how to work with ICE engines in schools, for crying out loud. And the implications of that mean most people will not even know how ICE works in a decade or two.

I don't believe they will axe many models

They should. Many. BMW too (maybe even moreso).

 

[MrRapp]

Depending on your country of residence it will take decades before a substantial portion of ICE cars is replaced by EV’s and only if a proper charging infrastructure is in place. Compared to a total of 1.3bn. ICE cars worldwide the number of EV’s is still virtually non existent. So there will be a demand for ICE for many years to come despite what all the politically correct numbnuts are telling you. A lot can happen in 30 years as well, including potentially synthetic fuels. If not, I’d gladly plant a tree for you to compensate.

 

[Rolf]

What about the second hand ICE cars that are still running on the roads? Do owners of these ICE cars have to get them changed to electric power? There is currently no aftermarket companies that will convert ICE to electric, but it could be a good business opportunity for many maintenance shops.

Not everyone can afford to buy a new car and adding electric tech to new cars will definitely make them more expensive as the manufacturers also have to change all their production processes as well as the massive investment to be made into increasing the number of charging stations in all countries. Some countries basic electric structure might not be even capable to handle the extra load of electric charges to their networks. It will take decades to bring drastic changes.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

There is currently no aftermarket companies that will convert ICE to electric, but it could be a good business opportunity for many maintenance shops.

Each car in order to be allowed to enter the market needs to have a CoC (certificate of conformity). Changing the propulsion means that the car should pass all certificating processes again.

ICE cars worldwide the number of EV’s is still virtually non existent

For all the manufactures this number does not mean anything. The only important thing is the new cars sold. If the EVs lead to a 15-20% decrease in the numbers of ICE powered new cars this would mean that at least half of the manufactures in the field of ICEs will go bankrupt.

 

[KiwiRob]

What about the second hand ICE cars that are still running on the roads? Do owners of these ICE cars have to get them changed to electric power? There is currently no aftermarket companies that will convert ICE to electric, but it could be a good business opportunity for many maintenance shops.

Not everyone can afford to buy a new car and adding electric...

There several companies converting classic cars to BEV’s. Even Jaguar Heritage have developed a kit to replace XK 6’s with an electric motor. Anyway check out these websites.

Welcome to Electric Classic Cars

Swindon Powertrain | Manufacturing | Testing | Design

z e l e c t r i c

 

[Matski]

During my studies at college in the 90's, I pondered whether it would be feasible to use solenoid engines to try and maintain some kind of character about the power plant, or even integrate solenoid powered cylinders into an ICE. I didn't get very far to be honest, the end result of the study ended up being about aerodynamics... But I still think its a shame we'll lose some of the most interesting aspects of mechanical engineering from our power trains.

On another note, Mercedes pushed back against the adoption of Turbo 4's in the DTM... Ironic if it becomes what they use in their road cars.