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Daimler CEO Zetsche answers 'Most likely' to question of a Maybach SUV

When Dieter Zetsche was asked about the possibility of getting Maybach, the reimagined Mercedes-Benz ultra-luxury sub-brand, into the premium SUV game, the Daimler CEO reportedly told Auto Express, "Most likely." Those two little words aren't a firm answer – let alone an indication of timing – but we wouldn't be shocked to find out Mercedes is already working on one. Range Rover has gone even more upscale, the Bentley Bentayga is coming this year, as will the Maserati Levante. Rolls-Royce is deciding on an SUV this year (we think it's only a matter of time before they say "yes"), the Lamborghini Urus is still expected in 2018, Aston Martin is raising funds to build a crossover, and there have been rumors of a BMW X7 and Audi Q9 for years. Point being, everyone is busy writing their own invite to this ultra posh party. The latest comments would appear to put to rest any will-they/won't-they questions around a high-riding Maybach offering. There were rumors last summer that a GL-Class SUV (a model range shortly to be known as GLS-Class) with revamped styling and lots of luxury touches would join the top-tier sub-brand, but then in November, Mercedes' global head of sales and marketing told Automotive News, "I don't want to categorically rule anything out, but at this stage we have no plans for it [a Maybach SUV]." If and when a Maybach utility does become official, we'll only be picking up where we left off with the brand's previous incarnation: a GL-based Maybach was rumored way back in 2007. News Source: Auto ExpressImage Credit: Copyright 2015 Steven Ewing / AOL Maybach Mercedes-Benz SUV Luxury mercedes gl-class

Mercedes teases a new Maybach concept convertible

Once again, Mercedes is taking a Vision concept to the Pebble Beach Concours this year. To start generating excitement, the company has released a teaser trailer for the car, and effectively no other information. But we think we've pieced together what the car is. Let's look at the video first. It shows a voluptuous blue body. It's all curves and clean lines inside and out. It also has an impressively prodigious prow with a proud three-pointed star at the front. The interior is all white with very little detail, and in addition to chrome, there are many copper trim pieces. There appear to be only two seats, too. Toward the end, we see a strip of copper trim on the outside as well, and just before the shot changes, we can see a bit of white interior that indicates this is a convertible. So we know this is an elegant, luxurious roadster. Is there anything else we can discern? Well, it seems Mercedes may have accidentally revealed the name of the car, or at least what it's based on. The video's file name includes the words "Maybach six." That happens to be the name of last year's Mercedes-Maybach coupe concept. On top of that, there's a striking resemblance between the long, flowing hoods of both cars. So it seems like a pretty safe bet that Mercedes will show the convertible version of that car, which was 18 feet long, and produced 738 horsepower from a quartet of electric motors. We'll find out if we're right when the car is revealed at Pebble Beach. Related Video: Image Credit: Mercedes-Benz Design/Style Maybach Mercedes-Benz Technology Emerging Technologies Convertible Concept Cars Electric Luxury Pebble Beach

8 automakers, 15 utilities collaborate on open smart-charging for EVs

We're going to lead with General Motors here. GM is one of eight automakers working with 15 utilities and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) at developing a "smart" plug-in vehicle charging system. Why did we start with GM? Because it's the first automaker whose press release we read that mentioned the other seven automakers. Points for sharing. For the record, the collaboration also includes BMW, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Chrysler, Mitsubishi and Ford. The utilities include DTE Energy, Duke Energy, Southern California Edison and Pacific Gas & Electric. The idea is to develop a so-called "demand charging" system in which an integrated system lets the plug-ins and utilities communicate with each other so that vehicle charging is cut back at peak hours, when energy is most expensive, and ramped up when the rates drop. Such entities say there's a sense of urgency to develop such a system because the number of plug-in vehicles on US roads totals more than 225,000 today and is climbing steadily. There's a lot of technology involved, obviously, but the goal is to have an open platform that's compatible with virtually any automaker's plug-in vehicle. No timeframe was disclosed for when such a system could go live but you can find a press release from EPRI below. EPRI, Utilities, Auto Manufacturers to Create an Open Grid Integration Platform for Plug-in Electric Vehicles PALO ALTO, Calif. (July 29, 2014) – The Electric Power Research Institute, 8 automakers and 15 utilities are working to develop and demonstrate an open platform that would integrate plug-in electric vehicles (PEV) with smart grid technologies enabling utilities to support PEV charging regardless of location. The platform will allow manufacturers to offer a customer-friendly interface through which PEV drivers can more easily participate in utility PEV programs, such as rates for off-peak or nighttime charging. The portal for the system would be a utility's communications system and an electric vehicle's telematics system. As the electric grid evolves with smarter functionality, electric vehicles can serve as a distributed energy resource to support grid reliability, stability and efficiency. With more than 225,000 plug-in vehicles on U.S. roads -- and their numbers growing -- they are likely to play a significant role in electricity demand side management.