Daimler AG announced today that it has kicked off production of its new Smart ForTwo electric-drive EVs at the company’s plant in Hambach, France. The first 1,000 units produced will go to customers participating in various pilot programs across Europe and the United States.

The Smart ForTwo electric-drive will be available to the general public by 2012.

Power for the Smart ForTwo electric-drive comes from a 40-hp electric-motor (fitted at the rear) with a peak torque of 89 lb-ft. 0-37 mph comes in 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 62 mph (hold onto your butts). When fully charged, the electric Smart can offer an expected driving range of 75 miles. A quick charge will allow you to travel a total of 25 miles.

The electric-motor gets its power from a lithium-ion battery that is provided by Tesla Motors.

Click through for the press release.

Smart ForTwo electric-drive:

Press Release:

Production of the smart fortwo electric drive Begins in Hambach

- Production of 1,000 units begins
- First European electric vehicle fully operational in everyday use
- Available to the general public as of 2012

Hambach, France / Stuttgart, Germany – This week, Daimler AG started production of the smart fortwo electric drive at the smart plant in Hambach, France. In a first step, 1,000 vehicles will be provided to customers participating in various mobility projects in major cities in Europe and the U.S., in order to generate broad feedback on electric driving under everyday conditions.

Marc Langenbrinck, Managing Director of the smart brand: “With the start of the series production of the smart fortwo electric drive, the Hambach plant enters a new era – at the same time, the smart fortwo emphazises its pioneering role on the way to individual mobility with local zero-emissions in cities and urban areas. Its innovative battery-electric drive makes the smart fortwo electric drive the ideal vehicle for the city: it combines responsibility to the environment with driving fun and joie de vivre in a virtually perfect manner.”

The second-generation smart fortwo electric drive started now is equipped with the most modern lithium-ion-battery. As of 2012, the smart fortwo electric drive will be produced as a regular part of the smart product portfolio and will regularly be sold through the smart sales network.

First Milestones in 2007 and 2008

The smart brand has taken a pioneering role in electric mobility since 2007. Back then, 100 smart fortwo electric drives of the first generation went into practical customer operation under everyday conditions of city traffic in London. Feedback from this project has been very positive right from the start and confirmed the high degree of maturity of this vehicle concept.

Just one year later, the company introduced the second generation – which is now being produced – with an even more advanced electric drive and an innovative, highly efficient lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion technology has decisive advantages over other types of batteries including higher performance, shorter charging times, a long life and high reliability. In addition, a smart fortwo electric drive can be charged at a regular household power outlet.

A story of success: The smart Plant in Hambach

The smart plant in Hambach was inaugurated in 1997. Since 1998, it has produced the smart fortwo, since 2007 in its current generation. In 2008, more than 800 employees of the plant and some further 800 people employed by seven system partners produced about 140,000 units of the smart fortwo. In September 2008, the brand celebrated its tenth anniversary along with the 1-millionth smart fortwo produced at the Hambach plant.

The Hambach plant has represented an innovative production concept since its beginning: The assembly line in the shape of a plus sign has been designed to optimally meet the demands of assembly and logistics and ensures highly efficient production processes. This principle enables the system partners to supply modules directly to the assembly line, which reduces transport and logistics efforts to a minimum and hereby also provides an advantage regarding ecological aspects. In addition, the environmentally friendly and cost effective paint shop, an energy concept with numerous savings opportunities and the construction principle of the vehicles ensure that the ecological product responsibility of the smart brand is translated into the production.

- By: Kap Shah

Daimler AG is ready to kick off a pilot program for its Smart cars2go service in Austin, Texas. The program allows city employees to rent a Smart for a couple of hours and return to a designated location provided by Daimler. A pilot with 200 Smart ForTwo cars will run with Austin city employees, reports Automotive News.

Daimler tested the program in Ulm, Germany, earlier this year in March. Registered users in Germany were able to pick up a car2go Smart ForTwo anywhere off the street or pre-book it for as long as they needed. Users were charged 19 euro cents per minute including taxes, insurance, mileage and fuel. Frequent users were able to buy 49 euros ($73.40 USD).

Daimler AG CEO, Dieter Zetsche, said that the Smart cars2go services could be expanded to other cities and that ”many other big metropolitan areas around the globe are interested.

No pricing details were given on the U.S. pilot program.

cars2go: Smart ForTwo cdi:

- By: Stephen Calogera

Even though Daimler AG and Chrysler’s break up back in 2007 ended like a horrible divorce, Daimler’s CEO Dieter Zetsche still cares a lot for the American automaker.

In a recent interview with USAToday, Zetsche said, “I continue to be emotional about this company and am crossing my fingers for the very best future.”

Zetsche said that besides focusing on small cars and fuel-saving technologies, Fiat and Sergio Marchionne shouldn’t forget that Americans still like larges cars and SUVs.

He said that if Marchionne did ask him for advices, he would tell him that “I would not focus exclusively on small cars going forward. I do believe the successful continuation of SUVs and larger cars is necessary.”

Daimler and Chrysler broke up in 2007 when Daimler sold 80.1 percent of Chrysler to a private investment firm Cerberus Capital Management, after paying $36 billion for it in 1998.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: USAToday

According Automotive News, Daimler AG will decided by January 2010 whether or not to shift some of its Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan production to its U.S. factory in Vance, Alabama. Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said today that the decision would be based on the currency rates and whether or not the dollar will remain weak against the euro.

Reports from German media say that if the move is approved, Daimler would build about 80,000 C-Class cars annually in Alabama.

Moving the production of the C-Class to Alabama would require some additional capital to expand and retool the Vance factory. The factory currently builds the M-Class, GL-Class and R-Class models.

Mercedes-Benz is preparing to launch the next-generation C-Class by 2013.

- By: Omar Rana

It’s been quite a while since we’ve heard anything about the superluxury brand Maybach. Latest reports say that the brand’s future may be in doubt. Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG, recently told Automotive News that the company has made no decision on whether to build a second-generation of the Maybach sedan.

The current Maybach model is now 6-years old and is based on the previous-generation platform of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Earlier reports say that the Maybach sedan will be refreshed in 2010. Executives say that Daimler is considering whether or not to continue offering the luxury model with a V12 or a turbo-charged V8.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Daimler Financial Services announced today that it will start offering auto financing in Middle Eastern countries that confirms with the strict regulations of Islamic law, better know as Sharia. The Sharia law does not allow financial institutions to charge interest on loans.

Daimler launched to new companies known as Mercedes-Benz Finance Middle East and Mercedes-Benz Leasing Middle East. Both companies are a part of Daimler Financial Services and Al Fahim Group, owners of Emirate Motor Company, an authorized Mercedes-Benz distributor in Abu Dhabi.

The UAW represents a very significant market for Mercedes-Benz’s passenger cars. In 2008, Mercedes-Benz sold 7,800 passenger cars and 3,100 commercial vehicles in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates.

Click through for the press release.

Press Release:

Daimler Financial Services launches business in the United Arab Emirates

- Joint venture with Mercedes-Benz importers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai — the Al Fahim Group and Gargash Enterprises
- The new companies Mercedes-Benz Finance Middle East and Mercedes-Benz Leasing Middle East offer financial services for passenger cars and commercial vehicles
- Medium-term target: Contract Volume of €300 million

Daimler Financial Services AG, headquartered in Berlin, is expanding its global presence to include the Middle East growth region. Toward this end, the company announced the official opening of Mercedes-Benz Finance Middle East and Mercedes-Benz Leasing Middle East on October 7, 2009 at a press conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Both new companies are part of a joint venture between Daimler Financial Services and the Al Fahim Group, owners of Emirates Motor Company, the authorized Mercedes-Benz distributor in the Abu Dhabi Emirate as well as Gargash Enterprises, the official distributor of Mercedes-Benz Cars in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates.

The new companies are headquartered in Dubai and offer loans and leasing to private and business customers for new and pre-owned passenger cars and commercial vehicles, including a shari’a compliant Islamic finance product. This enables Mercedes-Benz dealers in the United Arab Emirates to now provide their customers with the complete range of financial services.

“Our presence in the United Arab Emirates is of high strategic importance for Daimler Financial Services,” said Daimler Financial Services CEO Juergen Walker at a press conference in Abu Dhabi. “It makes us the first automaker to have its own finance and leasing company in the United Arab Emirates. Once we have successfully established our business operations here, in the mid-term we will decide about offering financial services in other Middle Eastern markets as well.”

The United Arab Emirates represent the most important passenger car market in the region Middle East for Mercedes-Benz. In 2008, Mercedes-Benz sold 7,800 passenger cars and 3,100 commercial vehicles in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates.

Mr. Andreas Ernst, Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Finance and Mercedes-Benz Leasing, said that the medium-term goal of the new companies was to achieve a contract volume of more than €300 million in the United Arab Emirates in three to five years: “To meet this target, we will be offering a comprehensive range of financial services from a single source to meet the needs of private or business customers. And we will support our dealerships with an electronic point-of-sale system that will result in faster loan decisions and a customer-friendly process.”

Mr. Rashed A. J. Al Fahim, Chairman of the Al Fahim Group, welcomed the formation of the joint venture and looked forward to a positive future: “We are confident and expect stronger Mercedes-Benz sales. The start of our jointly owned financial companies will further boost the attractiveness of the Mercedes-Benz brand in Abu Dhabi.”

Mr. Abdul Jabbar Gargash, Executive Director of Gargash Enterprises looked forward to the start of the new businesses: “For the first time, we can now provide our Mercedes-Benz customers in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates with a broad range of financial services products that make owning a new or used Mercedes-Benz the easiest it has ever been.”

With its new financial services in the United Arab Emirates, Daimler Financial Services AG has further expanded its global presence. The Daimler Group’s international provider of financial services employs about 6,800 people and is represented in more than 40 countries. The company currently finances or leases one third of all vehicles produced by Daimler worldwide and manages a contract volume of €60 billion.

Emirates Motor Company

As the flagship company of the Al Fahim Group, Emirates Motor Company(EMC) symbolizes the phenomenal growth and success that the Group has achieved. As one of the Middle East’s leading distributors of Mercedes-Benz, EMC is synonymous with immaculate quality in true Mercedes-Benz tradition. EMC has been the general distributor for Mercedes-Benz in Abu Dhabi since 1962. From the beginning, dedicated customer service has played a major role in the company’s success. EMC is also the first Mercedes-Benz distributor in the Middle East to be awarded the ISO 9002 certification. EMC markets, distributes and services all Mercedes-Benz vehicles from luxury saloons to the largest trucks and provides qualified service with the constant availability of genuine parts. Operations in Abu Dhabi are carried out from purpose-built premises with a well-integrated network of showrooms, offices, parts depots and workshop.

Gargash Enterprises

Gargash Enterprises has been the authorized Mercedes-Benz distributor in Dubai since 1958 and understands the special requirements for operating in the U.A.E. Customers are guaranteed not just-premium-quality products, but also top-notch after sales services. The company employs over 1,000 staff members and has become one of the largest premium brands in the U.A.E. Gargash Enterprises is a full-service Mercedes-Benz operation with five dealerships across Dubai, Sharjah and Northern Emirates, all professionally managed to satisfy the needs of the consumer. Gargash Enterprises also delivers a car rental service through its SIXT, which operates from Dubai International Airport, Sharjah International Airport, and Ras AL Khaimah. Furthermore, through its Silver Star Rental division, established in 2006, Gargash Enterprises offers customers highly acclaimed Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles on short and long term rental basis.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Daimler announced today that it has selected its plant in Hambach, France to produce the Smart ForTwo electric-drive. Starting in 2012, the lithium-ion powered Smart ForTwo will start rolling off the assembly line in Hambach in a “large-scale production and will be offered to customers through the Smart sales network.”

Daimler said that it will invest a “double-digit million euro amount” in Hambach plant for the production.

Starting next month, the plant will produce a small number of about 1,000 units for testing by customers participating in various test projects across Europe and the United States.

The Hambach plant built around 140,000 Smart ForTwo units last year.

Click through for the press release.

Press Release:

Large-scale Series Production of the smart fortwo electric drive to Begin in 2012 in Hambach

- Announcement on the occasion of a visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy
- In just five years from a pilot project to production for customers
- Production of a small series of 1,000 units to begin in November 2009
- Dr. Dieter Zetsche: „Emission-free driving in an urban environment is already feasible today.“

Daimler AG today announced that it selected the smart plant in Hambach, France, as the location for future series production of the smart fortwo electric drive. As of 2012, the highly innovative electric vehicle, equipped with the most modern lithium-ion-battery, will roll off the assembly line in large-scale production and will be offered to customers through the smart sales network. The announcement was made on the occasion of an official visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Hambach plant.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars: „The smart fortwo electric drive proves that emission-free driving in an urban environment is already feasible today. The initial series production will begin now with 1,000 vehicles, the first of which will be delivered to customers by the end of this year. As of 2012, the smart fortwo electric drive will then be part of the regular product program of the smart brand. With our decision to locate production here at the parent plant in Hambach, we are setting the course both for series production of electric vehicles and for the future of this highly innovative assembly plant“.

Daimler will invest a double-digit million euro amount at the Hambach plant for production of the next generation of the smart fortwo electric drive with lithium-ion-battery. During his visit, President Sarkozy announced that the French government will support the project through its PAT (Prime d’aménagement du territoire) program. Further support is to be extended by the Region Lorraine and the Département de la Moselle. Both these measures will comprise a total of 15 percent of the investment. The president was visiting the plant today to – amongst others – get a first-hand impression of environmentally compatible powertrains of the future.

In November 2009, the plant will start to produce a small series of about 1,000 units of the smart fortwo electric drive. In a first step, these vehicles will be provided to customers participating in various mobility projects in major cities in Europe and the U.S., in order to generate additional feedback from the use under everyday conditions.

As of 2012, the smart fortwo electric drive will be produced in significantly larger volumes as a regular part of the smart product portfolio and will be sold through the smart sales network. smart thus emphazises its pioneering role on the way to individual mobility with local zero-emissions in cities and urban areas.

First Milestones in 2007 and 2008

Since 2007, the smart brand has taken a pioneering role in the electrification of drive systems. Back then, smart started emission-free driving under tough everyday conditions of city traffic in London. 100 smart fortwo electric drives of the first generation have been in practical customer operation. The feedback from this project has been very positive and confirmed the high degree of maturity of this vehicle concept.

Just one year later, the company introduced the second generation with an even more advanced electric drive and an innovative, highly efficient lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion technology has decisive advantages over other types of batteries including higher performance, shorter charging times, a long life and high reliability. In addition, a smart fortwo electric drive can be charged at a regular household power outlet.

A story of success: The smart Plant in Hambach

The smart plant in Hambach was inaugurated in 1997. Since 1998, it has produced the smart fortwo, since 2007 in its current generation. In 2008, more than 800 employees of the plant and some further 800 people employed by seven system partners produced about 140,000 units of the smart fortwo. In September 2008, the brand celebrated its tenth anniversary along with the 1-millionth smart fortwo produced at the Hambach plant.

The Hambach plant has represented an innovative production concept since its beginning: The assembly line in the shape of a plus sign has been designed to optimally meet the demands of assembly and logistics and ensures highly efficient production processes. This principle enables the system partners to supply modules directly to the assembly line, which reduces transport and logistics efforts to a minimum and hereby also provides an advantage regarding ecological aspects. In addition, the environmentally friendly and cost effective paint shop, an energy concept with numerous savings opportunities and the construction principle of the vehicles ensure that the ecological product responsibility of the smart brand is translated into the production.

Magna International has received an exclusive order from Daimler AG to build the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, a sign of faith that the Canadian company’s fifth-largest customer will not pull business from it as it plans to take over Opel.

Magna said that its Magna Steyr unit based in Austria’s Graz, where the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is built, would develop the aluminum bodies for the upcoming 2011 SLS AMG.

“We can be proud that we are the only supplier in Europe able to manufacture a body made only out of aluminum — that underlines once more our leading position in challenging and innovative technologies,” Magna co-CEO Siegfried Wolf said in a statement.

Just last month, Porsche threatened to cancel its existing contract with Magna to build the next-generation Boxster and Cayman as Magna moves forward to acquire GM’s Opel brand.

Click here for more Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG news.

2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG:

- By: Kap Shah

Source: Reuters

“The Stuttgarter Zeitung said some C-class production could be transferred to the carmaker’s plant in Vance, Alabama, from Sindelfingen, near Stuttgart, as part of a wider production shake-up planned by Daimler to reduce costs.”, reports Automotive News.

By moving a portion of their C-class production to the United States, Daimler AG could save approximately $95 million, primarily due to the savings in import duties, freight costs, and the and the hourly wage of American workers when compared to German workers; 30 euros as opposed to 50 euros respectively.

The plant in Vance, Alabama, currently manufactures M-, GL-, and R-class Benz models, and currently, has space to increase its production. The first eight months of production in that plant saw 66,710 units built, down from 136,138 at the same time last year. Merceds-Benz U.S. sales have been down across the board however, with the C-class, the best selling model in the U.S., only selling 34,432 units through August, compared to 50,593 through last August.

Daimler has not made any public announcements regarding a decision on the future of the C-class’ production location.

-By Stephen Calogera

Earlier this morning we learned that Mercedes-Benz is yanking its Sprinter from Chrysler and its Dodge dealerships by Jan. 2010. Chrysler Group LLC has now confirmed that it is considering two Fiat SpA commercial vehicles for the North American market to replace the Sprinter.

The vehicles under consideration include the Fiat Ducato and Iveco Daily. Gualberto Ranieri, senior vice president of communications at Chrysler, said that the models will not be sold as Fiat’s in the U.S.

“The sole Fiat vehicle in North America will be the Fiat 500. Period,” said Ranieri.

Sources told Automotive News that Chrysler is considering bringing in the vehicles under a new brand rather than putting them under the Dodge truck brand.

- By: Omar Rana

Continuing their rough breakup from about two years ago, Chrysler and Daimler are still going back and forth at each other. Chrysler Financial and Chrysler Group LLC, both recently filed a lawsuit against the German automaker group. Daimler is now making its own move by taking away the Dodge Sprinter vans away from the Auburn Hills automaker.

Mercedes-Benz USA said it is getting back into the commercial van business and will yank the Sprinter from the 350 Dodge dealers who sell them right now. As of January 1, Mercedes-Benz will sell the Sprinter through a select group of 120 dealers, according to Ernst Lieb, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA.

The van will be sold under the newly created Daimler Vans USA, which will share its headquarters with the car division.

Dodge has been selling the Sprinter since 2003. Starting January, the Sprinter will be offered with a new 3.0L V6 common-rail diesel option from the M-Class and GL-Class and will be sold in all 50 states.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: AutoWeek

After charging Daimler AG with fraud, creditors of the old Chrysler filed a 31 page lawsuit last week claiming Daimler diverted billions of dollars from Chrysler by separating their financial division before the sale of 80.1% of the company to Cerberus Capital Management, two years ago.

It is now reported that Chrysler Group LLC is also suing Daimler AG for not honoring contractual commitments to supply parts that the company needs to continue some of its 2010 model year production. The Auburn Hills automaker is also seeking an injunction to prevent Daimler from obstructing the supply of diesel engines.

Vehicles that are facing shutdowns in production include the Dodge Challenger, Charger, Chrysler 300 and the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Daimler sold Chrysler to Cerberus Capital Management in 2007. The new Chrysler Group LLC is now in an alliance with Fiat SpA.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Detroit News

Daimler announced today that starting November 2009, the Smart ForTwo electric-drive will start rolling off the production line at the company’s factory in Hambach, France.

Power comes from a 40-hp electric-motor fitted at the rear with a peak torque of 89 lb-ft. 0 to 37 mph comes in 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 62 mph. The electric-motor gets its energy from a lithium-ion battery that is provided by Tesla Motors. On a full charge, the Smart ForTwo electric-drive can travel an expected range of 75 miles. A quick 3-hour charge will allow for 25 miles of driving.

The new Smart ForTwo electric-drive will be leased to select customers in Europe and the United States during the testing phase. It will be available to the mass-market in 2012.

Make the jump for the press release and the high-res image gallery.

Smart ForTwo electric-drive:

Press Release:

smart goes into series production with second generation electric drive

From mid November 2009 the new smart fortwo electric drive will roll off the production line at the smart factory in Hambach, France. Unlike its predecessor, the electrically driven smart fortwo of the second generation is fitted with an innovative and highly efficient lithium-ion battery. It is housed in a space-saving position between the axles, which means that space is not compromised in any way in the intelligent two-seater vehicle. A 30 kW electric motor is fitted at the rear. This provides for good acceleration and high agility with 120 Newton metres of torque that are immediately available. The smart fortwo electric drive can be charged at any normal household socket. In Germany, a full battery charge costs approximately two euros and is sufficient for a range of around 115 kilometres – more than enough for city traffic. smart has made electric drive a practical alternative for zero-emission mobility in urban areas. The new smart fortwo electric drive is initially being leased to customers in Berlin and other cities in Europe and the USA who will subject the environmentally friendly trendsetter to intensive real-world testing in tough everyday conditions. From 2012 it will be available to anyone interested.

Environmental friendliness and contemporary functionality have been defining features of the smart fortwo ever since it was launched more than ten years ago. Since then its innovative concept has combined sustainable, forward-looking technologies with individual urban mobility. With a length of just over two and a half metres the extremely compact vehicle can also park perpendicular to the flow of traffic. In addition, the space-saving and environmentally friendly two-seater currently has the lowest fleet consumption and brings its occupants to their destination comfortably and safely. Its design is fresh, youthful, modern and yet sophisticated and has made it an automotive lifestyle icon which shows that mobility, responsibility to the environment and joie de vivre are compatible with one another. The smart fortwo has established a class of its own.

smart fortwo electric drive offers innovative driving fun

The new smart fortwo electric drive from the popular brand that will roll off the production line from mid November 2009 is a logical continuation of a very ambitious goal: the production of a well-engineered, attractive city car that has no local exhaust gas emissions i.e. a zero emission vehicle. smart started emission-free driving in the tough everyday conditions of city traffic in 2007 in London. Since then 100 smart fortwo electric drives of the first generation have been in practical customer operation. The feedback from the UKcapital has been very positive and confirms the high degree of maturity of this vehicle concept.

In 2008 smart presented the second generation smart fortwo electric drive, a more advanced electric drive with an innovative lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion technology has decisive advantages over other types of batteries including higher performance, shorter charging times, a long life and high reliability. Marc Langenbrinck, responsible for brand management at smart, says: “The second generation smart fortwo electric drive is based on a successful and accepted vehicle concept with character and inherent environmentally friendly characteristics. Its innovative electric battery drive makes it the perfect car for the city: it is agile, economical and climate-friendly. Motoring with zero local emissions in an urban environment has become a reality. This equates to driving fun with a clear conscience.”

Electric drive taken into account in the very first concept

Electric drives have been part of the smart concept right from the start. The later integration of the components needed for electric drive was planned at a very early stage. For example, there is space for the battery in the underfloor between the axles where the tank is located in other smart models . The electric drive module does not limit the space available in the smart fortwo electric drive in any way; there is just as much interior and luggage compartment space as in a smart fortwo with a combustion engine.

Powerful drive

A 30 kW magneto-electric motor is installed at the rear of the new smart fortwo electric drive and reacts immediately and without delay. Powerful torque of 120 Newtonmetres is immediately available. This results in a surprising amount of power when pulling away. The smart fortwo electric drive accelerates from 0 – 60 km/h in 6.5 seconds – just as quickly as a petrol model which it initially leaves behind it. Its maximum speed has been deliberately limited to 100 km/h, a suitable speed for the city. Thanks to the power characteristic of the electric motor, the smart fortwo electric drive needs just one single fixed gear ratio. There is no need for any gear changing – a major advantage in dense city traffic. To reverse, the engine’s direction of rotation changes.

The second generation smart fortwo electric drive is powered by a lithium-ion battery from Tesla Motors Inc. with capacity of 14 kWh. It is simple to charge at any fused 220 Volt socket.

A fully charged battery is sufficient for up to 115 kilometres of driving fun (NEDC). This range is more than enough for city traffic as studies have shown that cars drive an average of 30 – 40 kilometres per day in towns and cities. For this, the vehicle only needs to be charged for three hours. Plugging the car in overnight will fully recharge the battery.

Electronics optimise the battery charge status and power consumption

Special electronics ensure that all is well with the battery. The electronics also monitor the charging process and control the capacity display.The vehicle’s power electronics supply the electrical system with electric current from the battery via a DC/DC converter. In addition, they also control the heating and air conditioning, for example, to minimise the strain on the battery. Clever drivers can air condition their smart fortwo electric drive in advance as long as their vehicle is being charged at home – the long-standing dream of stationary cooling becomes a reality! No other car offers this comfortable option.

The new second generation smart fortwo electric drive is based on the smart fortwo coupé/cabrio passion. As well as air conditioning with automatic temperature control all the equipment features of the popular passion equipment line are included. In addition to the battery indicator, an ammeter shows the consumption and the recuperated energy.

Very low costs

Based on German electricity prices it costs approximately two euros to drive the smart fortwo electric drive for 100 kilometres (even cheaper with off-peak electricity). This is less than the price of two litres of petrol. Electric power is much cheaper in lots of countries. The maintenance costs are considerably lower than those of a smart with a combustion engine as the battery, motor and other components of the electric drive are maintenance-free.

In addition to the low running costs, there are further cost advantages in lots of countries and cities. For example, drivers of a smart fortwo electric drive are entitled to national subsidies, tax advantages or exemption from local toll charges such as the city centre congestion charge in London.

smart fortwo electric drive in major cities in Europe and the USA

From the end of 2009 the smart fortwo electric drive will be delivered to selected leasing customers. Leases will be offered for a period of four years and 60,000 kilometres. The first vehicles are destined for the “e-mobility Berlin” project . Here, in cooperation with the energy provider RWE and with the support of the German government and the city of Berlin Daimleris creating the conditions for running battery-driven vehicles with no local emissions.This includes setting up a network of electricity charging stations that enable intelligent communication between electric vehicles and the power network so that the battery can be charged when electricity is cheapest.

Further vehicles of the new generation smart fortwo electric drive will take to the roads of Hamburg, Paris, Rome, Milan, Pisa, Madridand they will also be deployed in further projects in Europe. Some of the models will also go to cities in the USA.

There is already a very lively demand for the smart fortwo electric drive, and from 2012 it will be produced in large volumes as a normal part of the smart range and sold via the smart dealer network. This underlines the pioneering role of the car brand on the way to attractive individual mobility with zero local emissions in cities and urban population centres.

- By: Kap Shah

Creditors of the old Chrysler have charged Daimler AG with fraud, in a 31 page lawsuit filed Monday in Federal Bankruptcy Court in New York. The suit claims Daimler fraudulently diverted billions of dollars from Chrysler by separating their financial division, known as Chrysler Financial, from the parent company only days before the sale of 80.1% of the automaker to Cerberus Capital Management, two years ago. According to the suit, Daimler was able to secure an inflated price from Cerberus by transferring Chrysler Financial to the holding company and shielding its assets from creditors.

The group of unsecured creditors, led by the nation’s biggest auto retailer, AutoNation Inc., seek to share the assets of Chrysler that were excluded from the recent bankruptcy deal. Among said assets are various factories, though given the current condition of the real estate market, it is unclear as to whether or not these properties can be liquidated.

The suit also claims that Daimler had toyed with the idea of selling Chrysler as early as 2006, due to concerns of the inability to meet pension and retiree health care obligations of over $17 billion.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Detroit Free Press

Crediors of Chrysler who recently petitioned for approval to sue German automaker Daimler AG, on the claim that they stripped the U.S. company of most of its assets before they sold it, have been given the green light according to Reuters.  Judge Arthur Gonzalez, the same judge who presided over Chrysler’s bankruptcy gave the go ahead.

“We are absolutely certain that it is without merit and we will defend ourselves aggressively against any of the claims,” Daimler spokesman Han Tjan told Reuters.  In the filing from earlier this month, the creditors expressed their desire to recover more than $3 billion.

The company’s creditors, who include the U.S. government, have until Tuesday to file the suit.

By: Stephen Calogera

-Source: Reuters

Chrysler is once again the focus of a case in front of bankruptcy court judge, Arthur Gonzalez. A hearing has been scheduled by Gonzalez for Aug 13, on the request of certain creditors of Chrysler’s, who seek to sue Daimler AG. The group of creditors claims that Daimler’s 2007 sale of the company to Cerberus Capital Management had stripped it of its most valuable assets.

“This is completely without merit and we intend to defend ourselves vigorously,” Daimler spokesman Han Tjan told Reuters.

In a motion filed monday with the New York bankruptcy court, the group representing the company’s unsecured creditors stated that more than $3 billion in damages is being sought; an amount considerably larger than the $2 billion paid to Chrysler’s secured creditors.

Gonzalez is the same judge that cleared the way for chrysler to emerge from bankruptcy this past June.

-By Stephen Calogera

Source: Reuters

Daimler AG recently acquired an equity stake of 10 percent in Tesla Motors in a deal that would integrate Tesla’s lithium-ion battery packs into 1,000 units of the electric Smart ForTwo. According to report by Bloomberg, the German automaker is now selling a portion of its stake in Tesla to Abu Dhabi’s Aabar Investments PJSC.

Aabar will own almost 4 percent of Tesla after the deal. Neither Daimler or Aabar listed the price of the deal.

Aabar said that the partnership with Daimler had was as an objective “a desire to focus on the development of electric vehicles and projects aiming at the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.”

Aabar also owns 9.1 percent of Daimler giving it 96.4 million new shares making it the company’s largest stockholder.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Bloomberg

The Porsche/Volkswagen merger process hasn’t been an easy one. To make things a little more interesting, a German magazine is reporting that Daimler AG is in advanced talks to buy a stake in Porsche. Citing financial resources, manager-magazin.de reported that the Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche and Porsche CEO Wendelin Weideking have already discussed the potential of such a move in May.

Reuters says that an industry sources says the report should be taken seriously. Another sources said that it was no surprise that different players in the industry were talking to each other.

A Daimler spokesman calls the report “pure speculation” and a Porsche spokesman said he had no knowledge of talks with Daimler. A Volkswagen spokesman chose to stay quiet on the report.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Reuters