Most of the major auto industries are passing through a hydrogen fever. Audi and Mercedes Benz have recently added their names to the last. Audi has unveiled its H-tron Quattro Fuel Cell SUV concept in the just concluded North American International Auto Show held in Detroit. Meanwhile, Mercedes Benz has also hinted for producing a hydrogen fuel cell version of its GLC SUV.

Mercedes has lost the intellectual lead over hydrogen cars, but finally reveals to produce a new version of the full-size GLC SUV, featuring "the newest fuel cell technology available". The German automaker is now on course to introduce its first hydrogen fuel cell- powered car by next year, reports Autocar quoting Thomas Weber, chief of its R&D Division.

Meanwhile, Honda and GM both have paired to set up a factory for manufacturing fuel- cell stacks with a goal to start production by 2025 at the latest. Earlier the automobile giants have shared their fuel cell development efforts in 2013. Now, either company will manufacture its own vehicle in the joint ventured set up, using the shared technology, narrates Green Car Reports quoting Asahi Shimbun.

Audi's h-tron Quattro looks alike the e-tron Quattro concept, displayed in Los Angeles. Experts presume that the car uses a lot of the same EV power train know-how. A full tank of H₂ gives it a range of 373 miles (600km), and the on-board lithium-ion batteries may also be topped up by the gigantic solar panel set atop, reports Ars Technica.

Mercedes is in the middle of the car's roll- out phase right now. The R&D Division has successfully and significantly reduced the size of the hardware required to generate electric power.

However, Thomas Weber has declined to forecast on probable model to use the technology first or period for introducing the hydrogen fuel powered cars. But it is widely assumed that the car will be displayed first at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. Industry insiders believe the car to have a range of 250 to 300 miles with modular components which may be shared by hybrid and electric models across the group.

H₂ (Hydrogen) fuel is not widely acclaimed as an alternative source of power. Many analysts doubt that use of electricity to produce H₂ may be less efficient. But since it allows quicker refueling, the concept appears to be more popular in recent days and all the automobile giants are keenly monitoring competitors' moves in this regard.

The whole automobile world seems to ecstatic for hydrogen fuel cell powered car. Recently Audi as well as Mercedes, the two German auto giants have exhibited their interest. Audi remains one step ahead through introducing its h-tron Quattro, while Mercedes expects to make the car available by 2017. Unlike the German auto builders, Honda and GM are also in the race for introducing their self developed products.