WASHINGTON, D.C. — DaimlerChrysler demonstrated pioneering technologies for passenger cars and commercial vehicles at the DaimlerChrysler Innovation Symposium 2005. “For DaimlerChrysler, innovation is a key factor for profitable growth,” said Prof. Jurgen E. Schrempp, chairman of the board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG. In 2004, the company invested approximately 5.7 billion Euro in research and development. The world premiere of a concept vehicle, the Mercedes-Benz bionic car, kicked off the June event. This vehicle features the potential of bionics for automobile development. Using bionics, DaimlerChrysler engineers have achieved new benchmarks for aerodynamics, stability, and lightweight construction. The fully roadworthy vehicle has a modern common rail diesel (CRD) engine in which the SCR technology (selective catalytic reduction) is being tested for the first time in a passenger car to fulfill even more demanding emission and fuel economy targets. Chrysler Group executives and engineers are highlighting a range of technologies designed to meet customer needs today and into the future. “We are most proud of the fact that our recent improvements in sales, market share, and profits have been driven by innovative new products,” said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, member of the DaimlerChrysler Board of Management with responsibility for the Chrysler Group. A core component assisting in the success of several new vehicles is the award-winning 5.7L HEMI V-8 engine. DaimlerChrysler has the world’s largest fleet of 100 fuel cell vehicles, which meet zero-emissions requirements, in operation around the world. Making its U.S. debut at the symposium was the second-generation Mercedes-Benz fuel cell bus. The transit bus has an output of more than 200 kilo-watts and a range of about 125 miles. One fuel economy option available today is advanced diesel engine technology. Diesel engines achieve approximately 30 percent better fuel economy and 20 percent lower carbon dioxide emissions than comparable gasoline engines. Chrysler Group recently introduced the first diesel-powered mid-sized, sport/utility vehicle in the United States, the Jeep Liberty CRD. Mercedes-Benz launched a brand new V-6 diesel engine in March. Last month, a world record was set in Laredo, Texas, with this engine. Three standard Mercedes-Benz E 320 CDI sedans drove 100,000 miles in record time without any disturbances. This provided proof of the performance and reliability of the cars and their standard-equipment diesel particulate filters. DaimlerChrysler engineers also featured a driving demonstration of broadband car-to-car communication between a Mercedes-Benz E-Class and a Dodge Durango. With this initiative, DaimlerChrysler is the first automaker to publicly test this new wireless communications technology. With vehicle-to-vehicle communication, features for accident prevention can be applied such as warnings when changing lanes or turning off a road. Corporate research focuses on three main areas: new powertrain and fuel concepts in the context of the “Energy for the Future” program, electronic systems to enhance traffic safety within the “Vision of Accident Free Driving,” and future-oriented vehicle concepts with the program “Vision for Tomorrow’s Cars.” One of the main goals of DaimlerChrysler’s research engineers is to fully utilize conventional combustion engines’ potential for lower fuel consumption. Alternative and renewable energy sources, the further development of fuel cell technology, and hybrid technology are focal points of the company’s research and development.