Mercedes S Class hybrid closer to reality

Set for 2009 production

"German parts supplier ZF Friedrichshafen will begin building electric motors destined for a hybrid version of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class at a plant in Schweinfurt, Germany, late this year," according to AutoWeek.

Thus far ZF is on schedule to build 35,000 motors per year, but is capable of producing 200,000 motors per year.

The S-Class Mercedes hybrid will be followed by a number of other hybrid vehicles launching through 2012.