Edmunds' Inside Line talked with Raymond Freymann, managing director of BMW's Research and Technology division, as well as with Mercedes large-car project manager Hans Multhaupt about the long-term future of the automobile. Besides addressing serious issues like the uses of wireless connectivity and the applications of fuel-cell technology, Freymann and Multhaupt also said some really funny stuff especially if it's read in a German accent. Don thine black turtleneck and interesting eyeglasses and check it after the jump.

Freymann:
"We can say for certain who has not been born."
"The silver people are the proudest on earth."
"We are talking about a flying car, but we are not working on one."

Multhaupt:
"A bird doesn't have armor. We need to develop the intelligence of a bird to avoid an accident."

3-to-1, Freymann wins the crazy German scientist stereotype award, but Multhaupt's bird quote is mighty choice. Somebody should get on the stick and record this crap over a Kraftwerk sample.

Mercedes Vs. BMW Competing Visions of the Future [Edmunds]

Related:
Nano! Nanoo! Ford Invests inn Nanotechnology [Internal]

Contact information for this author is not available.