Well, talk about bold statements.
Leftlane News reports that German automaker Mercedes-Benz asserts that its first hybrid car will be profitable. These words coming with the knowledge that Toyota is absorbing losses to keep up its Prius hybrid.
One reason why hybrids have not proved profitable is that they use two engines, an electric and a gas. That adds to the production costs of the car and also makes the car heavier and more complex. Mercedes says that it can be profitable because they are developing a "modular architecture". That means most likely the engine will be in parts so that it can be used in a wide variety of vehicles like SUVs, crossovers, etc.
The first Mercedes hybrid will be the S400 S-Class.
Our take? Boastful, are we, Mercedes? Well, the proof is in the pudding, as the cliche goes. We and the buying public will ultimately be the judge to see how "profitable" your first hybrid will be. Or not.