Mercedes will make headlights disassemblable for easier repairs
Mercedes will make modern headlights repairable within the framework of the Tomorrow XX initiative, aimed at developing a circular economy. If currently, lenses, covers, frames, housings, and electronics have adhesive connections, in the future they will be replaced by threaded ones.
What is known
This approach will allow replacing individual faulty parts instead of replacing the entire headlight. This reduces waste, lowers repair costs, and extends lifespan. For example, if a lens is damaged by a stone, the mechanic will be able to simply remove it and install a new one without changing the whole unit.
Tomorrow XX is not only about repairable headlights. Mercedes has learned to reuse glass fiber reinforced polyamide from recycled airbags for making engine mounts. Plastic from scrapped cars can be used for underbody cladding of new models.
The next emission reduction initiative may not be popular with new Mercedes buyers. Research has shown that recycled plastic from old tires can be used as a base for artificial leather. The German premium brand claims that combining recycled plastic with biological proteins results in an "innovative material that resembles natural leather in composition and structure." It has twice the tear strength and is much more resistant to extreme temperatures.
All these methods significantly reduce emissions by increasing the use of secondary raw materials. People tend to only notice tailpipe emissions, but a car impacts the environment even before the owner drives the first kilometer. Mercedes seeks to reduce pollution by actively using existing materials and reducing the need for primary resources.
Source: Mercedes-Benz
