The former Daimler compact car subsidiary Smart has completed its reorientation with the presentation of its newest electric vehicle: Alongside the iconic two-seaters, Smart will build the small electric SUV ‘#1’, for which the technical data is now also available following the premiere in Berlin.
Daimler AG has renamed itself Mercedes-Benz Group AG as of 1 February 2022. With the renaming of Daimler, the company completes its realignment. However, the stake in Smart could soon decrease.
With the Concept #1 at the IAA Mobility in Munich, Smart gives a concrete preview of the first series model of the new all-electric vehicle generation. Instead of a small electric two-seater, there will be an SUV model from Smart in the future.
The Chinese battery manufacturer CALB (China Lithium Battery Technology) has announced the expansion of its production capacities to 300 GWh by 2025. Among other things, the company is planning a new factory in Hefei with a capacity of 50 GWh. International carmakers could also benefit from this.
Volkswagen is the most innovative car company in 2021 – ahead of Daimler and Tesla. This is the result of a new study by the German Center of Automotive Management (CAM), which regularly publishes rankings of the most innovative corporations and premium brands.
Daimler is planning eight premieres at the IAA Mobility from 7 to 12 September in Munich, five of which are fully electrically powered models. Among them is the electric E-Class counterpart EQE, but also a European premiere of an already presented electric model.
In China, the US battery manufacturer Farasis is establishing a joint venture with the Geely automotive group for the research and development as well as production and sale of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and other applications.
The Center of Automotive Management (CAM) has analysed the innovative strength of 32 car manufacturers looking at 291 innovations in the field of electric mobility. Tesla remains by far the top innovator in the technology field but is tracked by VW.
Daimler and its Chinese shareholder Geely are tightening the knots they share as they agree to cooperate in the development and production of hybrid drives. The two automotive groups intend to use synergies in their global research and development networks.
According to CEO Håkan Samuelsson, Volvo will also use the new SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) EV platform recently presented by the fellow Geely brand Lynk & Co. The incoming compact model below the XC40 will be the first Volvo based on this platform.
The Geely subsidiary Lynk & Co has delivered a preview of its first all-electric model with the Zero Concept. The new electric vehicle platform, which will enable ranges of up to 700 kilometers, is also to be offered to other OEMs. Apparently there is already an interested party from Germany.
Daimler plans to sell its plant in Hambach, France, where they build the Smart electric vehicles. In 2018, Daimler had announced that the factory would also make a compact model of the electric car brand EQ, presumably the EQB.
The China joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely around Smart announced at the end of March last year has now been formally established with all relevant final approvals from Chinese authorities. The first electric Smart cars made in China are to be launched on the market in 2022.
Mercedes has postponed the US launch of its EQC by at least one year to 2021. The German carmaking giant says that this “strategic decision” is because it “first wants to meet the growing customer demand for the EQC in Europe”. Meanwhile, BAIC wants to double its stake in Daimler.
According to the study conducted by the Center of Automotive Management (CAM), when it comes to innovative strength, German carmakers maintain an international lead. Volkswagen is placed at the top of this ranking. This latest comparative study is the result of research among 38 car manufacturers.
At the end of the current model year, Daimler is to ends sales of the Smart in the USA and Canada, where the small car has only been available with an electric drive since 2017. In addition, Smart-boss Katrin Adt will assume a new management position within the Group as of 1 July.
Daimler is said to be about to sell half of its subsidiary brand Smart to its Chinese major shareholder Geely. The official announcement of the takeover of 50 per cent of the Smart shares is apparently going to take place before the Shanghai Auto Show in April.
Daimler is considering to finally cooperate with the Chinese manufacturer and the latest stakeholder Geely for the Smart successor models that are to be EV only from 2020. Concrete talks on technical cooperation are already underway.
Even though the Daimler subsidiary Smart has announced plans to go fully electric by 2020, the future of the brand is unsure, according to industry insider Georg Kacher.
Geely has gone from acquisitions to creating something with those firms it gathered in hand. Insiders told Bloomberg of a new joint venture in the making that would see Daimler and its 10%-stakeholder Geely set up a ride-hailing service in China, possibly using Denza EVs.
The Center of Automotive Management (CAM) has published its latest innovation ranking for 2018. The study shows: Tesla is far ahead of established carmakers when it comes to electric mobility. And China too is catching up fast.
Daimler is currently evaluating cooperation options with the Chinese Geely. They are analyzing potentially releasing an EV platform, among other things, which could be sold to other manufacturers.
The rumors have turned out to be true: Chinese vehicle producer Geely has revealed their strategy through an insider, who spoke to Reuters. Apparently the Chinese producer aims to purchase some of Daimlers’ battery technology through the acquisition of company stock.
Tesla opponent from Stuttgart? According to Manager Magazin, Daimler and Porsche are each planning to develop an electric vehicle with a range of at least 400 kilometres, ready to go head to head with the Model S. The Porsche is said to be a smaller version of the Panamera, scheduled for no earlier than 2018. The electric Mercedes could resemble an E- or S-class, but not before 2021. manager-magazin.de, handelsblatt.com (articles in German)
Terra ready for Europe: Terra Motors is preparing for its EU debut and will present its e-scooter A4000i at the EICMA Show in Milan, Italy, in November. The scooter will be available for sale first in Italy and later in three to five other European countries. Even producing it on European ground is a possibility. cnbc.com
Geely´s hybrid plans: The Chinese manufacturer announced plans to bring a hybrid version of its Emgrand 7 midsize sedan on the market mid-next year. The hybrid technology will later be applied to other models as well. economictimes.indiatimes.com
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Is Daimler eyeing MV Agusta? According to media reports, Daimler is looking to get on board with the Italian motorcycle manufacturer. A possible reason is that the carmaker may be interested in MV Agusta’s high-performance three-cylinder engines for its own hybrid systems. reuters.com
End nears for Acura hybrid: Honda’s luxury brand Acura will present a new ILX at the LA Auto Show in November. But because the manufacturer sold only 3,000 hybrid versions since the ILX became available in 2013, the new model will be petrol driven only. autotrends.org
Mazda recalls Tribute Hybrids in the U.S.: A total of 7,814 units, built between October 2006 and May 2008, have to go back to the lot. A problem with the coolant pump for the hybrid system can cause the latter to overheat and possibly shut down the power train. puregreencars.com