by Michael Cavinta (RSS feed) August 25th, 2010 at 5:39 pm
Wolfgang Bernhard is certainly well admired by the boys in Daimler. According to rumors, he is presently being prepared to take control at the Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz automotive unit. If these reports are true, the important question would be, when would Bernhard replace the current head Dieter Zetsche.
According to some reports from Germany, the transition would happen much sooner than expected. Daimler on the other hand is denying those rumors and branded them as fictional and without foundation. Last February 2010, Bernhard was elevated to lead production and purchasing at Mercedes. Also during that time, Zetsche’s contract was extended till 2013.
It seems that if Bernhard is going to take the top seat of the company’s automotive unit, it’s not going to take place until 2013. So it is still early to start hoping for an AMB-branded Tomahawk motorcycle.
Loading ...
by Keiichi (RSS feed) August 18th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
There aren’t so many fans of Russian made cars, perhaps not even in Russia. Still, there is one automotive manufacturer in the country that’s getting a lot of attention. GAZ, who currently manufacturers the Volga Siber at the Gorky Automobile plant (insert Wind of Change chorus here), is getting wooed by a lot of investors wanting to tap into the Russian market. Yep, you guessed it—Mercedes-Benz’s parent company Daimler wants in. And the company will stop at nothing to get the plant to producing the E-Class. And with good reason too.
The Volga Siber is actually based on the Chrysler Sebring platform. As true-blooded Mercedes-Benz fans (you know you are), you should know that there was a time when Daimler and Chrysler were partners. So, why not upgrade the Volga Siber (or its platform) to the E-Class instead? Makes a lot of sense, doesn’t it?
If Daimler and Mercedes-Benz successfully gets their hands on the plant, it will be a big blow to fellow German rival BMW, which has already made its presence felt in Russia. It’s all about who takes the biggest slice of cake, and Mercedes-Benz won’t settle for anything less than the largest.
The company has a lot of rival suitors, though. Indian company Tata motors is just one of them. There’s also General Motors putting the pressure on Tata. It’s worth noting the GAZ Chairman Bo Anderson was once head of worldwide purchasing for GM. Small world, isn’t it? Daimler needs to spend quite a lot to get the wind of change in its favor.
Loading ...
by Keiichi (RSS feed) August 18th, 2010 at 11:04 am
China’s government is pretty much pleased with the partnership between Daimler and Chinese battery company BYD, so much so that they’ve placed orders for 100,000 electric vehicles. If you’re still wondering how that could be a big deal, just think of it this way—this is the largest contract for electric vehicles ever made.
It’s either the Chinese are so fond of driving around using batteries or they’re just avid fans of local products. But mind you, the electric vehicles in question are by no means cheap nor flimsy. By all means, Daimler has invested a lot to make the partnership work, despite being in partnership with Renault SA and Nissan. If you could recall, the Nissan Leaf is one of the few electric vehicles that are being pitted against the Chevrolet Volt.
While delivery deadlines have already been set, there are very little details of the deal available. Although you can expect B-Class design cues to be featured. While it doesn’t have the performance of a Mustang, still it can go a long, long way on a single charged battery pack—around 300 km.
Right now, the partnership between Daimler and BYD is as strong as ever, with both companies willing to come up with $87.8 million for their joint projects. So EV’s are there to stay in China as long as these two are around and working together.
Loading ...
by Michael Cavinta (RSS feed) June 2nd, 2010 at 12:34 am
After a meeting with some investors and analysts in Beijing, the Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Dr. Dieter Zetsche, showed optimism with regards to the German automaker’s excellent financial outcome. According to Dieter Zetsche, from the present outlook, if the world economy continues to get better, they foresee Mercedes-Benz Cars to attain its goal of reaching a 10 percent return of sales in the second half of 2012 and sustain it till 2013. Additionally, he expects Mercedes-Benz Cars’ EBIT in the second quarter of 2010 to be much formidable compared to the first quarter. Based on the news, the company’s earnings before interest and taxes or EBIT in the first quarter of 2010 reached €806 million.
The Chairman of the Board of Management made clear that the most relevant factors in an affirmative business development are the sustainable growth attained with their “Gofor10” efficiency program, the strong product portfolio and the excellent drive the Mercedes-Benz brand has. Last April 2010, the company already sold 12 percent more vehicles compared to April last year, and more considerable growth is foreseen in May and June. Based on Zetsche, the result of the first six months of this year cannot be concluded to the whole 2010, because in the second half of 2010, Mercedes-Benz cars is reported to allocated more money on C02-related research and development and is projected to have a much higher capital expenditure for the new vehicle lines.
Zetsche also noted that he anticipates the company’s EBIT for 2010 to be close to their projected €2.5 to €3 billion. Dr. Zetsche also expressed the relevance of the Chinese car market, where he also realized the fact that this was the first time Daimler set up a company event for investors and analysts in Beijing. He also added that China is becoming notable to Daimler as this 2010, China was reported to attain the third largest sales market for Mercedes-Benz next to Germany and the US.
Loading ...
by Michael Cavinta (RSS feed) May 27th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
Daimler started to establish fuel-cell automobiles around 1994, presently, Daimler has already allocated $1.23 billion on propulsion technology. Toyota started to delve into the hydrogen field development much earlier by 1992. With years of knowledge and exposure, the two companies became both pioneers in fuel-cell technology. Toyota and Honda were the first automaker who brought commercial hydrogen fuel-cell automobiles on the road at 2002. According to the news, Toyota collaborated with Tesla for the advancement of electric vehicles at NUMMI, additionally, Toyota may unite with Daimler (who also holds share in Tesla) to establish hydrogen-powered vehicles that are easy on the budget.
Based on the Financial Times Deutschland, Toyota and Daimler are setting off with a comprehensive venture with regards to fuel cells for electric cars. While the newspaper tried to get the sides of both companies for validation, Toyota denied any awareness of such a deal while Daimler was not available for comment.
The previous year, a few top companies who’s into fuel cell technology united for the advancement of hydrogen-powered vehicle. Along with the group were such companies as Daimler, Toyota, GM, Ford, Honda, Nissan and Hyundai. With all the companies pledging to contribute, it is very possible for such collaboration to take place. According to an analyst at HIS Global Insight, Tim Urquhart, such a collaboration would profit both the companies. High advancement costs to bring fuel-cell powertrain science to production would mean that both Daimler and Toyota would split up the expenses and share their vast information in fuel-cell technology.
If such a venture would take place, it would be a relevant step with regards to the hydrogen vehicle program of each company and it might possibly bring more jobs back to NUMMI.
Loading ...
by Michael Cavinta (RSS feed) May 6th, 2010 at 11:40 am
Before going public in 2 weeks, Daimler’s car2go sharing program entered into another great partnership with urbanspace, a real estate company. With this partnership, the urbanspace’s employees together with their clients will be given access to use car2go’s smart fortwo vehicles. According to Kevin Burns, the founder and CEO of urbanspace, car2go is the answer for downtown Austin’s transportation for the company. Based on Nicholas Cole, the President and CEO of car2go North America, LLC, both urbanscpase and car2go have the same vision in keeping up with the fast growth of Austin while caring for the city and its dwellers. He also added that they are very optimistic about their partnership with urbanspace.
Daimler introduced the car2go pilot program with the support of the City of Austin last November 2009. They also cooperated with the LIVESTRONG foundation this February 2010. Car2go also came into an agreement with the State of Texas by the last week of March, and by April 2010, it also united with the Entrepeneurs Foundation. Starting May 21, the car2go mobility program will be launched in its general public phase by being accessible to all Austin, Texas dwellers. Their 200 vehicles can be used on demand and for an undetermined period of time. It also permits drivers to make only one – way trips. With this system, Daimler charges its users for the length of time they used the car, rather than the distance it traveled.
Loading ...
by Michael Cavinta (RSS feed) May 3rd, 2010 at 12:12 am
Upon ending up with 1,190 million euros for the first quarter, German carmaker Daimler has revised it’s 2010 full-year EBIT estimate that totaled a whopping 4 billion euros since its last posting of 2009 financial results last February. According to Daimler chairman, Dieter Zetsche, this is excellent outcome for the first quarter is the result of their hardwork during the crisis, which puts them back on the track of success once again. It is said that the new estimates made by Daimler is much bigger than its total estimate last April 19. Each of the group’s divisions, which includes Mercedes-Benz Cars are expected to put in around 2.5 – 3 billion euros.
The positive stance for Mercedes-Benz came from the E-Class model’s projected sales. It includes the addition of the SLS AMG, the R-Class and CL-Class. Daimler Trucks expects to gain a total revenue of at least 500 – 700 million, Mercedes-Benz Vans 250 million, Daimler Buses 180 million and Daimler Financial Services 500 million. According to Daimler, the high earning is a result of ongoing positive trends for the first quarter of 2010, due to the rise in sales of the E-Class and S-Class segments.
Loading ...
by Leo (RSS feed) April 22nd, 2010 at 4:17 pm
As much as five market analysts predicted that Daimler’s revenues for the first quarter will have a median figure of about $883 million. However, overall revenues for the first quarter breached the $1.5 billion barrier, mostly because of a good showing from its luxury S and E Class cars and a good expense position, according to a Daimler announcement. Consequently, Daimler AG posted a 7.9% surge in trading in the Frankfurt market on the first day of trading for this week. The stock closed at a value of $51.57 at day’s end, the highest it has ever been since 26 September 2008.
Daimler also modified its conservative assessment of this year’s performance from $1.98 billion for its Mercedes Benz cars to as much as $3.97 billion. Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said the group aims to make huge inroads into the market share of BMW AG, the current leader in the luxury vehicles sector.
Some analysts say Daimler exceeding its conservative estimates is a good sign that the tight economic climate worldwide is beginning to soften.
Loading ...
by Keiichi (RSS feed) April 18th, 2010 at 1:55 am
With barely a month since their contract-signing, partners Daimler AG and Renault-Nissan are already coming face-to-face with their apparent differences. Despite having agreed to share resources to develop vehicles and engines, they left one common denominator out of the deal – lithium-ion batteries. Both giants are looking to develop their own brand of lithium-ion packs. Daimler AG is going to work with Evonik to build a lithium-ion factory in Kamenz, Germany. Renault-Nissan, on the other hand, has teamed with Japan’s largest personal computer company, NEC, to set up five shops in Japan, the UK, France, Portugal and the U.S. Neither of the companies plans to give way to the other.
The race to build the best lithium-ion power pack for their cars may spark reasons for the partnership’s demise. If both companies choose to go their own way, their plans to work together in the future may be compromised, according to Mike Tyndall, an automotive expert based in London. With both CEO’s aiming to make their company the pioneer in electric drive systems, it’ll all boil down to which company will be able invest the most on developing the technology and offering the most competitive prices upon entering the market.
Loading ...
by Muamer Hodzic (RSS feed) December 1st, 2009 at 10:34 am
Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) will re-enter the North American bus and coach engine business with the engines of Dietroit Diesel. “By offering Detroit Diesel engines to independent bus and coach manufacturers in the U.S., we want to further strengthen the leading position that Detroit Diesel has occupied in the North American commercial vehicle industry for the past 50 years,” said Martin Daum, President and CEO of DTNA.
Loading ...
