Daimler in battery trouble

Daimler in battery trouble

Christoph Hammerschmidt
Automotive Design Europe
08/05/2008 4:37 PM

MUNICH, Germany — Automotive OEM Daimler AG apparently is in trouble to keep the schedule for the production launch of its hybrid drive SUV ML450: The supplier for the NiMH batteries, US-based company Cobasys, has problems to manufacture the energy storage devices.

According to media releases here, Daimler has filed an action against Cobasys, asking for immediate production start as well as for damages. The battery manufacturer has concealed the planned sale of the company, the media say.

NiMH batteries are a critical element in Daimler's planned full hybrid car which is supposed to be manufactured in Daimler's plant in Vance, USA. The production launch for the vehicle is scheduled for end of 2008.

A Daimler spokesperson acknowledged that the company has sued Cobasys. "There are different notions regarding the content of our contract", he said, adding that the automotive manufacturer adheres to its time schedule for the ML450 production start. He declined to comment on potential second-source suppliers.

In the meantime, the development for Li Ion batteries is on schedule, the spokesperson affirmed. While for full hybrid cars NiMH batteries are used, Li Ion batteries are the type of choice for mild hybrid drives. Daimler's first Li Ion battery equipped car will be an S-class mild hybrid vehicle scheduled for production start in 2009.