Daimler
Tata Nano EV revealed in Geneva, Daimler sells 5.34% stake in Tata
Tata has revealed an all electric variant of the Nano supermini at the Geneva Motor Show. The Nano EV features a super polymer lithium ion battery pack which was also featured on the Tata Indica Vista EV. Unfortunately the company did not reveal more information about the Nano EV’s powertrain.
However the press release did mention that the Nano EV has an estimated range of 160 kilometers and its 0 – 100 km/h acceleration time is figured at below 10 seconds. Tata also revealed that the Nano EV is expected to be launched sometime in 2012. Meanwhile the Euro-market Tata will be introduced in 2011. This model will be slightly longer than the Indian-market Nano and will feature better suspension and brakes with ABS.
In another development Daimler AG has sold its 5.34% stake in Tata. “Daimler is today in an excellent position to capitalize on the growth potential of the Indian passenger and commercial vehicle markets and continues to intensify its own activities there,” the German auto giant said in a statement.
“An equity participation of Daimler in Tata is therefore no longer necessary. This has been done in full consultation with Tata. Relations between the two companies are excellent and will not be adversely affected by this sale,” it added. The sale is said to generate about US$401 million.
Daimler to link up with new compact car partner in mid-2010
It has been revealed that Daimler is looking to link itself up with a new partner for its compact car business and that the German auto giant will decide who it will be sometime next year. Rumors have been circulating that Daimler will tie up with Renault which is planning to set up a line of affordable compact cars and compact electric vehicles, but both parties have yet to make any official announcements.
Daimler’s CEO Dieter Zetsche said that company will announce its new partner by the mid of 2010. Apparently Daimler is paying more attention to the development of compact cars, with its Smart brand as well as with its A and B-Class models from the company’s Mercedes-Benz operation.
China’s Shuanghuan wins clone war: Gets to continue with the Smart fortwo copy
They are at it again, and this time, they won a court case! Chinese based auto maker Shuanghuan, was taken to court by Daimler when the auto maker came to the Bolognia Motor Show with a Smart fortwo clone, called the Noble, back in 2007.
The Greek court ruled in favor of the Chinese auto maker, stating that “an informed buyer would not confuse the Noble with the Smart Fortwo.” Although Daimler was breathing hard on the auto maker, it did not stop them from starting to sell the car in Europe last year.
Here is another interesting fact, Shuanghuan actually carried a marketing campaign for the Noble, giving it a slogan which read “Smarter than the rest”. Is the world really lacking creativity these days? Continue reading to view more images of the clone. Read the rest of this entry.
Daimler AG acquires 10% stake in Tesla
German-based auto giant Daimler AG has announced that it has acquired an equity stake of almost 10% of US-based electric car maker, Tesla, which means that in future we will see more vehicles that are produced based on the partnership. Prior to the engagement, both companies have been working together in producing about 1,000 Smart cars that use Tesla’s lithium-ion battery packs.
According to Dr. Thomas Weber, Daimler board’s member, “Our strategic partnership is an important step to accelerate the commercialization of electric drives globally.” “As a young and dynamic company, Tesla stands for visionary power and pioneering spirit. Together with Daimler’s 120 years of experience in the automotive sector this collaboration is a unique combination of two companies’ strengths. This marks another important milestone in Daimler’s strategy for sustainable mobility.”
Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk added that, “Daimler has set the benchmark for engineering excellence and vehicle quality for more than a century. It is an honor and a powerful endorsement of our technology that Daimler would choose to invest in and partner with Tesla.” As part of the collaboration, Daimler will start to produce fuel cell cars based on the Mercedes B-Class later this year, and by next year, we can safely see Mercedes’ first every battery powered vehicle.
