BYD and Daimler sign joint-venture agreement

The new company, called Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co. Ltd will owned 50:50 by BYD and Daimler. The two companies will invest RMB 600 million (about 88 million USD) to form the new joint-venture, headquartered in Shenzhen, the same city as BYD.

Regardless of the success of this new JV, one can see how associating themselves with Mercedes-Benz’s parent company will certainly give BYD more credibility, or as the Chinese call it, “face.” BYD will not be producing cars for Daimler, but developing cars with them.

Hopefully this does not go down as the Daimler-Chrysler partnership. Excerpts from the press release below:

Mr. Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President of BYD Company Limited:

“Together with Daimler we are making excellent progress identifying opportunities to utilize the strengths of both companies to create a new brand of electric cars for China. This is a unique and exciting initiative and together we are pushing hard to bring this new electric vehicle to market as soon as possible.”

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG:

“Our new joint venture is well positioned to make the most of the vast potential of electric mobility in China. We are fortunate to have excellent joint venture partners in China and the establishment of this research and technology center with BYD adds another dimension to our growing presence in this important market.”

China Car Times

=> BYD and Daimler sign joint-venture agreement.

Report: Daimler dealers will be prepared to sell and service EVs in two years

Mercedes-Benz concept BlueZero Plus – Click above for high-res image gallery

Daimler is working aggressively to bring zero emissions vehicles to market under both the Mercedes-Benz andSmart brands. In order to get ready for that, Daimler AG research and development chief Dr. Thomas Weber wants all the company’s dealers to be fully prepared to sell those vehicles and provide service to customers in the next two years.

The first 1,000 electric Smarts will be distributed this year and Daimler plans to ramp up production in the coming years as well as adding other battery and fuel cell vehicles. Weber told an event at the University of Duisburg-Essen’s Center for Automotive Research that service personnel need to be trained in handling the high voltage power systems in these vehicles. In addition to the drive systems, electric vehicles will be equipped with a variety of new systems including electric climate control and charging that service departments will have to contend with. After the difficulties that Daimler had with introducing new technologies like telematics and electro-hydraulic brake systems over the past decade, Weber clearly wants everyone to be ready.

AutoblogGreen

=> Report: Daimler dealers will be prepared to sell and service EVs in two years.

Abu Dhabi investeerib Daimleri e-autodesse

Abu Dhabi valitsus läbi oma investeerimisfondi süstib Daimlerisse 2,7 miljardit dollarit sihtotstarbeliselt e-autode ja komposiitmaterjalide arendusse.

Daimler BlueZERO kontsept

Daimler on juba varem teada andnud oma plaanidest välja arendada BlueZERO kontseptsioon, mis hõlmab nii EV-sid, kütuseelemendil autosid kui ka EREV-isid.

Pärsia lahe investorite jaoks ei ole tegu ka mitte esimese investeeringuga kiirelt arenevasse e-autode sektorisse. Prominentsemad rahasüstid on läinud Fiskerisse, ZAPi ja Phoenix Motorcar’i.

Allikas: The New York Times

Vaata lisaks Mercedes-Benz BlueZERO