Daimler AG and Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. have signed an agreement for a significant technical partnership between Daimler, Mercedes-AMG GmbH and Aston Martin.
Following the signing of a Letter of Intent in July this year, the two companies have continued to work together, exploring opportunities for co-operation and these discussions have resulted in the signing of definitive agreements.
The technical partnership will allow Mercedes-AMG and Aston Martin to develop bespoke V8 engines supporting Aston Martin’s launch of a next generation of models that will incorporate cutting edge technology and newly-developed engines, combining high performance and fuel efficiency.
Daimler will receive up to five percent non-voting shares in Aston Martin without cash consideration in several steps following the progress of the technical partnership. At the same time, the company will receive an observer status on the Aston Martin Holdings board. Daimler joins Aston Martin’s existing shareholder body that includes Prime Wagon, Adeem Investment and Investindustrial.
The parties are working to conclude the terms of an additional cooperation for the supply of electric/electronic (e/e) components. Furthermore, the two groups will investigate additional areas of cooperation in the future. Aston Martin will continue to manufacture all of its sports cars at its Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire, England.
Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Management Board of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: “By signing the Umbrella Agreement and the Engine Agreement both parties have agreed to this technical partnership: Mercedes-AMG will provide the British icon Aston Martin with engines for their forthcoming sports cars. At our company´s headquarters in Affalterbach we are proud to work with Aston Martin – this agreement is a real win-win situation for both sides.”
A spokesperson for the Aston Martin board said: “Our company is this year celebrating its centenary, and the partnership agreed today underpins prospects for Aston Martin’s bright, vibrant and dynamic second century in the sports car business. This strategic collaboration for Aston Martin will, in our next generation of luxury sports cars, offer our customers increased performance and state-of-the-art features whilst retaining the unique character and style of an Aston Martin.”
Daimler AG spokeswoman, Silke Walters, confirmed that the German manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz luxury autos, is in early talks with Aston Martin on supply and technical-cooperation agreements. But, declining to go into specific details, Walters said that “while both sides know and respect each other very much, no decisions have been made”. Discussions also involve Aston Martin owners Investindustrial Advisers SpA and Investment Dar Co., Walters said.
After years of talks between Daimler and Aston Martin, the deal is now being pushed as London-based Investindustrial, a European private-equity fund that acquired 37.5 percent holding in Aston Martin for $250 million, prefers Daimler as their partner for a supply deal. This according to a person familiar with the discussions said. Even with Investindustrial’s preference towards Daimler, a final agreement isn’t imminent, the same person said, asking to remain anonymous due to the private nature of the talks.
Aston Martin is the only global luxury auto brand that does not belong to a larger manufacturing group, making it extremely difficult to match competitors’ lower costs for creating models. With its new backing by Investindustrial, Aston Martin laid out its plans to invest $777 million over the next four years in order to compete with Volkswagen AG’s Bentley and Fiat SpA’s Ferrari and Maserati. Via: Bloomberg
As we confirmed Tuesday, Daimler and Chinese car maker BYD Auto’s new joint venture brand will be called DENZA. The new DENZA brand for the electric vehicle developed by BYD Daimler New Technology Co. Ltd. (BDNT), the 50:50 joint venture between Daimler and Chinese electric battery and car manufacturer BYD, was formally revealed today in Shenzhen at the “EV – The Future” event.
The DENZA brand launch event is the latest milestone in the successful cooperation between Daimler and BYD. Following the BDNT joint venture contract signing in May 2010 and granting of the China business license in March 2011, development has been progressing on schedule.
“The exciting new DENZA brand is a highly visible seal of approval for the leading-edge design, technology and personality of the new car which we are convinced will resonate with customers here in China,” stated Ulrich Walker, Chairman & CEO of Daimler Northeast Asia and Chairman of the Board of Directors of BDNT. “BYD and Daimler have been visionaries in the development of sustainable mobility and new technologies. We are at the forefront in China as the first company to form a joint venture for the development of a pure electric vehicle, and we’re continuing our pace forward with this landmark event today.”
“We’re very pleased with progress on the development of the new all-electric car, and the DENZA brand really brings it to life,” said Mr. Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President of BYD and Member of the Board of Directors of BDNT. “We have the ideal partner in Daimler. BYD provides experience in battery technology and e-drive systems, as well as bringing EVs into operation on the streets of China. In connection with Daimler’s design of premium autos, know-how in electric vehicle architecture and safety, and more than 125 years of experience in automotive excellence, DENZA is on the right track to become the leader in the New Energy Vehicle market in China.”
The DENZA name and logo have been carefully crafted to convey very precise themes. Primarily created with a focus on Chinese consumers, the name DENZA derives its strength from profound and positive associations with the Chinese characters 腾势 téng shì, which together mean “rising power and momentum” – referring both to the attributes of the car as well as the pace of development DENZA aims to be ahead in the New Energy Vehicle industry. DENZA is also a distinctive name in the English language with no prior associations.
The logo is designed around the flowing form of a central water-drop, supported by two hands. The blue water-drop represents the environmental friendliness of the all-electric vehicle, with blue also signifying advanced technology and a bright future. The curves on either side of the water-drop represent the hands of the two partners providing mutual support for the joint venture, as well as for the environment.
The first public appearance of the DENZA concept car will be at Auto China in Beijing in April, with first production planned in 2013. With rapid economic growth, increased urbanization, an open-minded consumer, and a supportive government, all the elements are in place to mark China as one of the countries with the highest potential for electric vehicle adoption.
For those of you not familiar with BDNT, in 2010, Daimler and BYD signed the contract for a 50:50 research and technology joint venture called “Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co. Ltd,” (BDNT) that will develop an electric vehicle in and for China. End of February 2011 BDNT received its business license from Chinese authorities – just a few months after signing the JV contract. The vehicle will be marketed under the new DENZA brand jointly created and owned by the joint venture company BDNT.
Electric vehicles are especially well-suited for urban driving. With its many metropolitan areas, China has the potential to be among the world’s largest markets for zero-emission vehicles. Daimler and BYD are determined not only to participate in this growth of electric mobility in China but to accelerate it even further with their BDNT Joint Venture.
According to Greg at British car mag, AutoCar, Mercedes-Benz sources in Germany have confirmed Chinese media reports suggesting its parent company Daimler and Chinese car maker BYD Auto’s new joint venture brand will be called Denza.
Created as a Chinese-market-only brand, Denza is set to support a range of affordable electric powered vehicles – the first of which is set to be unveiled at the Beijing motor show on April 23.
Based on the discarded underpinnings of the first-generation Mercedes-Benz B-class – a car originally designed to accept batteries within its flat floor structure, the first Denza model has been developed in a joint engineering effort between Daimler and BYD, a partnership that was made official by Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche and BYD president Wang Chuanfu back in 2010.
Little is known about the new zero-emission five door hatchback, but Autocar sources confirm a team from Daimler has led the styling, body and chassis engineering, with BYD providing expertise on the electric driveline system.
Prior to becoming active in the automotive field, BYD rose to prominence as the lithium ion battery supplier for Nokia, Motorola and other mobile phone manufacturers.
Nothing is official, but elements of the BYD E6’s driveline, which uses a state-of-the-art lithium-ion phosphate battery and is claimed to boast a range of up to 186 miles in mild weather conditions, are said to be used by the new car.
In the run up to the introduction of the first Denza model, BYD says it has produced a total of 309 E6s – some 40 of which have been undergoing durability testing as part of a fleet run by the Pengcheng Electric Taxi Company in the city of Shenzhen, raking up a total of 1,864,114 miles according to an official BYD statement.
Speaking about the decision to link with BYD, Daimler boss Zetsche said: “We will be able to participate in the potential growth of electric mobility in China, the largest car market of the world. Electric vehicles are especially well suited for urban driving. With its many metropolitan areas, China has the potential to be among the world’s largest markets for zero-emission vehicles.”
Tesla reported fourth quarter and full year earnings yesterday and within its shareholder’s letter was information that revealed that they have begun a development program with Daimler. The cooperation between Daimler and Tesla is to build an electric Mercedes-Benz vehicle that uses a Tesla powertrain. Daimler is already an investor in Tesla and uses Tesla battery packs for the electric Smart cars.
Tesla stated that the electric Mercedes-Benz program will include use of a full powertrain — including the motor, gearbox, inverter and software — but Tesla didn’t go into details about timing of the launch of the car or volumes of production of the car. Tesla says it’ll recognize revenue from the program beginning in the second quarter. The Mercedes-Benz deal is Tesla’s latest good news, following the unveiling of its third car the Model X model in Los Angeles last week.
MBUSA announced Thursday that the Daimler Board of Management appointed Stephen Cannon as Mercedes-Benz USA’s new president and CEO as of January 1, 2012. Cannon is replacing Ernst Lieb who held the position of President and CEO of MBUSA from September 2006 to October 2011. The announcement was made by Dr. Joachim Schmidt, executive vice president of sales & marketing for Mercedes-Benz Cars in Stuttgart, Germany, and is also who Cannon will report to.
In his new role as head honcho at MBUSA, Stephen Cannon will have overall responsibility for the Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, Sprinter and smart brands in the United States. He will lead MBUSA’s 1,700 plus employees and 356 dealers throughout the U.S.
Cannon’s most recent post was vice president of marketing for MBUSA with overall responsibility for marketing communications, market research and product management of the Mercedes-Benz and Maybach brands in the U.S.
Cannon began his automotive career in 1991 as executive assistant to the president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz of North America (predecessor to MBUSA). From there, Cannon moved to Stuttgart and joined a small team tasked with the development, manufacturing and launch of the M-Class, the first Mercedes-Benz SUV ever made in and for this market.
In the interim, before returning to Mercedes-Benz here in the U.S., Cannon served as director of marketing for debis Financial Services (later Daimler Financial Services) and then held key positions in retail and e-business consultancies. He also served as principal for The Richards Group, one of the largest independent full-service advertising agencies in the U.S. before joining MBUSA in his current position.
Cannon has a bachelor of science degree in economics from the United States Military Academy at West Point where he graduated with honors. He is a United States Army Airborne Ranger and served as 1st Lieutenant in West Germany during the fall of the Iron Curtain. Cannon and his family live in Connecticut.
The “Deutscher Zukunftspreis”, or German Future Prize, is the Federal President’s prize for technology and innovation and is acknowledged as the country’s most prestigious award for technical and scientific innovations. In the anniversary year of the automobile, a team from Daimler is again among the three teams of researchers nominated for the prize by Federal President Christian Wulff. With their 6D-vision technology, which can make a vital contribution to the avoidance of accidents, the researchers won through against other potential candidates and are now nominated for the final selection.
“Road safety for all road users has always been a major area of focus and a core competence at Mercedes-Benz.” Prof Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, continues: “The 6D-Vision project represents a milestone along the road to accident-free driving and will form the basis of our future safety systems. I am absolutely delighted that this unique technology has been honoured in this special way by being nominated for the “Deutscher Zukunftspreis” in our 125th anniversary year.”
Specifically named in the nomination were Dr Uwe Franke, Dr Stefan Gehrig and Dr Clemens Rabe, who are responsible for this pioneering project as part of their work in Daimler AG’s Research and Advance Development department for Assistance Systems and Chassis Systems.
6D-Vision – faster than the human eye to recognise danger
The Daimler research team’s 6D-Vision project opens up whole new possibilities for future assistance systems that will make our roads safer for all road users. Key to bringing about reductions in accidents is a timely and full understanding of the often very complex issues going on around a vehicle and of the traffic situation. Other road users have to be recognised within split seconds and possible collision hazards reliably identified. For the first time in a car, 6D-Vision is able to convey the three-dimensional perception of a person and the identification of potential risks on a small, powerful piece of hardware that is absolutely viable for series production.
6D-Vision uses a stereo camera, acting in much the same way as the two eyes of its human exemplar, to compute the three-dimensional geometry of the situation in front of the vehicle in real time from the images it sees, using special algorithms developed by Daimler to do so. An analysis of consecutive pairs of images allows instant and reliable identification of any movement. Dr Uwe Franke: “The capability of 6D-Vision is such that we are able to support the driver in precisely the sort of situation where the complexity of traffic conditions increases the potential for an accident, for example at junctions or in roadworks.”
Split seconds are crucial
By linking the perception of both space and time, it is possible to differentiate between stationary and animated objects, even from a moving vehicle. Animated objects, for example children running unexpectedly into the road, are perceived within 200 milliseconds across a broad range of vision. Even the most alert person takes twice as long to do so; and should he or she be distracted, a further 500 milliseconds may be added to this time. An additional moment of shock adds further delay while the situation is assessed and until a reaction kicks in.
In purely mathematical terms, one second at a speed of 50 km/h equates to a vehicle covering a distance of around 15 metres. The computer works twice as fast as the driver and initiates safety measures after just seven metres. In an emergency braking situation, the vehicle therefore comes to a standstill more than a whole vehicle length sooner.
Since 6D-Vision technology is seen as being able to contribute significantly to reductions in road traffic accidents, it is Daimler’s aim to make this technology available in the future to other manufacturers as well. Prof Dr Thomas Weber: “6D-Vision will take its place in the long line of safety innovations that have celebrated their premiere in our company over the last 125 years. Ultimately, however, it will benefit all motorists.”
The “Deutscher Zukunftspreis” of the country’s Federal President has been awarded annually since 1997. As well as recognising scientific achievement, the award takes account of the marketability of a particular development. The award is given for projects that improve people’s lives, create new employment opportunities and sustain the country’s prosperity. Those organisations entitled to make nominations submit possible projects to an eminent jury made up of independent experts from both academia and industry. The jury then selects the three teams of researchers who, in their view, have the most innovative and marketable projects.
Daimler has been nominated for the award four times previously in the following areas:
The presentation of the award by German Federal President Christian Wulff will take place on 14 December 2011 in Berlin.
Daimler AG and Rolls-Royce Group plc have acquired additional shares in Tognum AG equivalent to 0.83 percent of its equity. Upon completion of the public tender offer, the two companies will have acquired at least 95 percent of Tognum’s shares through their joint venture, Engine Holding GmbH. Reaching the 95-percent threshold represents another milestone for Daimler and Rolls-Royce in their takeover of Tognum.
When the 95-percent threshold is reached, German takeover law allows for an additional offer period for the Tognum shareholders who have not yet accepted the public tender offer. They can now tender their shares for purchase by Engine Holding GmbH at the offer price of 26 euros until midnight on November 10, 2011. Shareholders who would like to accept the offer should contact their custodian banks.
The public tender offer will be concluded when all relevant regulatory approvals have been issued. Clearance has already been received from the European Commission and eight other authorities. The takeover still has to be approved by the US foreign trade authorities and the Chinese antitrust authorities. Those approvals are expected to be issued in the third quarter of 2011.
With the acquisition of Tognum, Daimler and Rolls-Royce plan to create a leading supplier of complete systems in the field of industrial engines. The joint venture will have the advantage of a broad, global spread in terms of products, services and solutions.
On April 6, 2011, Daimler and Rolls-Royce made a public tender offer to buy shares from all of the shareholders of Tognum AG through their joint venture, Engine Holding GmbH; the price offered was increased on May 16 from the original 24 euros to 26 euros per Tognum share. The Board of Management and the Supervisory Board of Tognum AG support the takeover bid and the members of those boards have tendered their own shares. A total of 92.65 percent of Tognum’s shares have been tendered. Upon the expiry of the additional acceptance period on June 20, 2011, Daimler and Rolls-Royce had secured 94.17 percent of Tognum’s shares.
Daimler AG, the global automotive company and Rolls-Royce Group plc, the global power systems company, announced that they intend to launch a public tender offer for 100 percent of the share capital of Tognum AG. The public tender offer is intended to be carried out by a 50:50 joint venture company.
The complete details are below but for a quick summary, check out the main points of the plan:
Listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, Tognum AG is a premium supplier of engines, propulsion systems and components for Marine, Energy, Defence, and other industrial applications (often described as “off-highway” applications). Daimler has strong capabilities in engine technology and manufacturing expertise, and exceptional access to global markets. Rolls-Royce has complementary world leading capability in integrated power systems and services, and a well established market presence in the Marine, Energy and Defence sectors.
The proposed joint venture, comprising of Tognum and Bergen, the gas and diesel medium-speed engine business from Rolls-Royce, will offer significant advantages to Daimler, Rolls-Royce and Tognum. The markets in which the Joint Venture will operate are attractive and fast growing, especially in the developing economies. By combining the strengths and market access of these three world-class companies the Joint Venture will be able to offer a compelling portfolio of products, services and integrated solutions on a global basis, thus enabling the Joint Venture to become a world leading engine systems company and creating additional value for shareholders. The partners intend to maintain the current manufacturing sites and are confident that the growth strategy will secure jobs and lead to further opportunities. This may include investment in a new state of the art plant and facilities to enable growth and deliver productivity improvements.
Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management, Daimler said: “Tognum is an excellent company, and the combination with Daimler and Rolls-Royce creates a win situation for all parties. The planned combination will provide a strong platform to realize the huge market potential. It is an exciting proposition for Daimler to partner with Rolls-Royce to further invest in the Tognum business to create growth for the company and create additional value for our shareholders as well as for the customers and employees of Tognum.”
Sir John Rose, Chief Executive Rolls-Royce Group plc said: “This is a significant opportunity to harness the innovation, technology and engineering expertise of
Rolls-Royce, Daimler and Tognum. The complementary capabilities we are bringing together will provide us with a world leading proposition, and will enable us to expand the business by developing a broader portfolio of integrated power systems and services for existing and new customers.”
Daimler and Rolls-Royce will offer Tognum shareholders € 24 per share in cash representing a total consideration of approximately € 3.2 billion. This represents a premium of around 30 per cent above the XETRA closing price of Tognum shares on Friday March 4, 2011, the last undisturbed trading day before the transaction was rumoured in the markets, and a premium of around 22 per cent above the weighted average price of Tognum shares over the three months before the announcement of the transaction. Daimler holds a 28.4 per cent stake in Tognum which will be tendered into the takeover offer at the offer price.
The joint venture allows Daimler to further enhance its shareholding in Tognum. With its engineering and technology competence, Daimler will be a partner in research and development to develop modern and highly efficient engine systems and make a significant contribution to the efforts to meet ever more stringent emission standards. In addition, Tognum will also benefit from leveraging Daimler’s strong global network. Daimler will secure its business relationship with Tognum as an engine supplier and will also continue to add to the Tognum product range with its diesel engines, thus further bolstering its business relationship with Tognum.
Rolls-Royce will contribute its medium speed reciprocating engine business which trades under the Bergen brand name to operate within the new joint venture company. Bergen engines have an outstanding track record for quality and reliability. The portfolio includes diesel and gas powered reciprocating engines which address the marine propulsion and auxiliary power markets. Rolls-Royce also brings a proven capability to deliver complex integrated systems and solutions in these growing markets where customers increasingly require a total solution approach.
The benefits of complementary technologies, a common commitment to innovation, increased focus on systems solutions and through life customer support and broader market access will create considerable growth opportunities. Productivity will be enhanced by the benefits of scale, combining operational capabilities within the venture and delivering improved solutions to the benefit of both customers and shareholders. As such, the combined portfolio will be well positioned to become one of the world’s leading industry players in the Marine, Distributed Power Generation, Offshore Oil & Gas and Industrial applications markets.
Further information on the offer:
The offer will be made subject to clearance by appropriate merger control authorities and achievement of a minimum acceptance threshold of at least 50 per cent plus 1 share (including the 28.4 per cent stake in Tognum to be tendered by the Daimler subsidiary) of the currently issued share capital of Tognum. In addition, the offer will be made on and subject to the terms and conditions to be set out in the offer document.
The shareholder agreement entered into by Daimler and Rolls-Royce, as is customary, contains exit provisions allowing either party to exit the joint venture under certain circumstances, including in the event of a change of control or insolvency of the other partner. Depending on the triggering event, these provisions provide each of the parties the right to exit at cost or fair market value of the venture, subject to any required regulatory consents or approvals. In addition, under certain circumstances, Rolls-Royce could be required to acquire Daimler’s stake in the joint venture at cost subject to certain adjustments.
Daimler AG’s commercial vehicle brands have achieved an outstanding showing in this year’s Image Awards from VerkehrsRundschau, the renowned specialist magazine for the transport and logistics sector. Daimler brands took first place in five of the six category rankings in which they were assessed. In four categories, the company even scooped a double victory to assure it of “Unchallenged Winner” status. Image Awards went to Daimler in the Trucks, Vans, Commercial Vehicle Rental and Telematics categories. A particularly gratifying outcome for the Stuttgart-based commercial vehicle specialists was its choice as the most popular commercial vehicle brand among “Young Logistics Professionals”. In a special poll of 4000 junior members of the logistics profession, the future decision-makers who are currently aged up to 32 identified the vans sporting the Mercedes star as their favorites.
Image Award 2011: 107 brands in the running
The image ranking, which VerkehrsRundschau has been conducting since 2002, centres on a representative opinion poll to survey the image and awareness levels of the leading companies offering commercial vehicles and products and services for commercial vehicle fleets. To this end, the TNS Emnid market research institute interviewed a total of 400 executive staff in Germany at transportation companies and at industrial and commercial enterprises operating their own fleets. All 107 of the brands selected for this study are among the market leaders in Germany in terms of market share and public perception.
Since last year, the image study has offered two rankings per category: the rating by the operators of small fleets (up to 10 commercial vehicles) and the image assessment by operators of medium-sized and large fleets (11 commercial vehicles and over). A brand which wins the Image Award in both rankings is considered to be the unchallenged winner of the category concerned.
Mercedes-Benz vans win both rankings
As in 2010, the Mercedes-Benz vans scooped the title of “Unchallenged Winner” once again in the Vans category. Mercedes-Benz was also the winner in this category throughout the previous years. This year, the operators of small fleets awarded 812 out of a possible total of 1000 image points to the Mercedes vans. The vote of approval from the operators of medium-sized and large fleets was even more resounding, with 823 image points going to the Sprinter, Vito and Vario product range.
Award for Mercedes-Benz trucks
The commercial vehicles from Mercedes-Benz also lead the field in the “top-flight” Trucks category. The trucks in the permissible gross vehicle weight category of 3.5 t and over claimed the Image Award with 796 points from operators of fleets of up to ten commercial vehicles, who account for around 80 percent of German transport companies.
Two Image Awards for Mercedes-Benz Charterway
The Image Award also went to Stuttgart for both segments of the Rental/Leasing category. Following on from last year’s success, Mercedes-Benz Charterway remains the number one among transport companies, forwarding agents and internal works transport operators, making it once again the “Unchallenged Winner” among the providers of rental and financing services in connection with the acquisition of commercial vehicles.
The three product lines Charterway Service, Charterway Service Leasing and Charterway Rental even improved their image rating among the operators of small, medium-sized and larger fleets alike in comparison to the previous year. In the ranking by operators of up to ten commercial vehicles Mercedes-Benz Charterway received 768 image points (previous year: 746), while operators of fleets of eleven commercial vehicles or more awarded 752 image points (previous year: 722).
Daimler FleetBoard: Unchallenged Winner among telematics systems
As in the previous year, the telematics solutions from Daimler FleetBoard to enhance the economic efficiency of commercial vehicle fleets took first place in the Telematics category once again in 2011. The operators of small fleets awarded 713 image points and the operators of fleets of eleven commercial vehicles and over awarded 762 image points, assuring the Daimler subsidiary of the Image Award in both rankings.
This result affirms Daimler FleetBoard’s strategy aimed at further expanding its current product offering. As the most recent example of this expansion course, FleetBoard is now also available ex-factory as an original equipment item for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. This means that a highly efficient telematics system from Daimler FleetBoard is now also available to operators of van fleets as a means of reducing operating costs through optimised job and route management and as a facility to lower maintenance and repair costs.
Mercedes-Benz emerges as most popular brand
Mercedes-Benz also emerged from the Image Awards as the most popular commercial vehicle brand. This finding was based on a representative opinion poll conducted on this year’s special topic of “Brand perception among young logistics professionals”. Mercedes-Benz had already claimed first place in the special category last year, when the focus was on the environment.
Over 4000 future specialists and junior executives from the fields of transport, haulage and logistics were interviewed for the Image Award 2011 in the special category of “Young Logistics Professionals”. On the subject of commercial vehicles and fleets, the young logistics professionals of up to 32 years of age chose Mercedes as their favourite truck brand from among 107 contenders. The truck brand from Stuttgart received 897 out of a possible total of 1000 image points. The all-round success of the Daimler brands on all fronts was sealed by the top ranking in the second segment of this special category. The future decision-makers in the area of commercial vehicles and fleet accessories awarded 871 image points to the van brand bearing the Mercedes star.
Daimler plans to recruit more than 10,000 people worldwide in 2011, 4,000 of those jobs in Germany alone. 6,700 skilled workers and approximately 700 graduates will be recruited directly all over the world. The Group is also focusing on gaining talent for the future: As well as taking on approximately 1,900 apprentices, Daimler is also offering positions for 600 trainees in its CAReer trainee program and for more than 200 students at the ‘Duale Hochschule’. Most of those positions will be offered in Germany.
“As the inventor of the automobile, we intend to be at the forefront of shaping the transformation of our industry. That’s why we are making enormous investment not only in research and development, but also in the recruitment and training of the best young talent and skilled workers. We can only deliver top performance with the help of a first-class workforce. Our human resources policy stands on two pillars: the continuous encouragement and support of young talent along with the recruitment of highly qualified skilled workers and graduates with work experience,” stated Wilfried Porth, Daimler’s Board of Management Member for Human Resources and Labor Relations Director.
“With a presence in nearly 200 countries, hardly any other German company is as international as Daimler. We are growing in many regions of the world and want to compete for the best personnel everywhere,” Porth continued.
The direct new recruitment of 6,700 skilled workers will take place worldwide, partially for the new or expanded plants in Hungary, India and Mexico. In the United States, 1,300 new employees will be recruited for the plants of Daimler Trucks North America.
In Germany, Daimler plans to take over approximately 1,900 apprentices when they have passed their final examinations.
In addition, approximately 700 engineers and informatics experts will be taken on in 2011 – for example in the Group’s departments for alternative drive systems, lightweight construction, driver assistance systems and worldwide IT management. More than half of this recruitment will be in Germany. Daimler is mainly seeking mechanical, electrical and informatics engineers for these positions.
Approximately 600 young people will be taken into the Group-wide trainee program, CAReer, thereof 500 in Germany. More than 65 percent of the recruitment for CAReer is in technical areas. During the program, university graduates and career starters with some work experience pass through a total of three national and international project deployments in various parts of the company.
Against the backdrop of ongoing technological changes in the automotive industry, recruitment for the engineering courses at the ‘Duale Hochschule’ has increased continuously in recent years. In 2011, probably more than 200 of those students will start work at Daimler. Daimler has been involved with great success in these university courses combining academic education with practical training since 1972, and was one of the founders of the so called Stuttgart Model, which was the predecessor of the former ‘Berufsakademie’ and today’s ‘Duale Hochschule’.
In addition to the new permanent jobs, approximately 1,800 apprentices will start their job training at Daimler in 2011. Daimler provides 37 percent of the apprenticeships of the German automobile manufacturers and trains young people in 21 technical and 13 commercial occupations. Daimler can look back on a tradition of more than 100 years in the field of occupational training.
As of December 31, 2010, the Daimler Group employed 260,100 people worldwide, thereof 164,000 in Germany. This was 3,700 more worldwide and 1,500 more in Germany than a year before. With regard to the overall workforce development in the year 2011, Daimler assumes that the number of employees worldwide will increase slightly.
More information for job applicants and details of specific positions vacant can be accessed at www.career.daimler.com.
Mercedes-Benz USA LLC and Penske Automotive Group announced Monday that they have started discussions to transition the distribution rights, management, sales and marketing activities of smart USA from Penske Automotive Group to Mercedes-Benz USA. The transition is expected to occur by the end of the second quarter of 2011.
The proposed change marks a further step in implementing the future growth strategy of the smart brand. It also reflects last year’s reorganization at smart headquarters in Germany, where smart is now managed as an independent brand, but is fully integrated into Mercedes-Benz Cars business unit of Daimler AG.
“We are very excited about working toward integration of smart into the MBUSA organization, and look forward to working with our dealer partners to exceed customer expectations for this unique vehicle,” said Mercedes-Benz President and CEO, Ernst Lieb. “The addition of smart, combined with our Autohaus dealer initiative, will help us build upon the tremendous momentum the Mercedes-Benz brand had achieved here in the U.S.”
“Introducing the smart brand to the U.S. has been a unique opportunity for us,” said Penske Automotive Group Chairman Roger Penske. “Over the last three years I’ve experienced the passion consumers express for the brand as we delivered over 45,000 vehicles. Aligning smart distribution with Daimler, as it is worldwide, is the logical next step for the smart brand in the U.S. This alignment will enable the smart brand to grow through the Mercedes-Benz dealership network and lead the way in conservation and meeting future fuel economy standards.”
“Roger Penske and his team successfully paved the way for the smart brand in the US. The integration of the smart wholesale into our own national sales organization is an important part of our global growth strategy for smart,” said Dr. Annette Winkler, Vice President smart. “This is an important step towards the success of the smart brand in the US market.”
The addition of the fuel efficient smart fortwo and smart fortwo electric vehicles to the Mercedes-Benz USA’s product portfolio underscore the company’s commitment to meet even more stringent fuel economy standards in the future. The smart fortwo achieves EPA estimated 41 mpg in highway driving. Manufactured by Daimler AG, smart is currently sold in more than 40 countries, and more than 1.2 million smart fortwo have been sold worldwide since 1998. Since then smart has established itself as the think tank for urban and electric mobility for Daimler AG and plays an important role in the Corporation’s plans to make innovative future mobility concepts such as car2go available in Europe and the United States.
U.S. smart owners yesterday received the below email highlighting the planned change from Penske to Mercedes-Benz USA.
Back in April, we brought you official word that Daimler AG and Renault/Nissan Alliance formed a strategic cooperation and we are now seeing the fruits of that partnership. Though official details are slim of the all new Infiniti vehicle are slim. So slim, Infiniti doesn’t even specifically give the car a name, however, the images were named “Etheria,” leading us to believe that is what the concept could be called. The press release simply gave the teaser images, along with a quote from Infiniti senior vice president Andy Palmer.
“Infiniti is currently examining concepts for a luxury performance car that will fit below the current G line,” said Palmer in the release. “Like every Infiniti, it will be completely different to anything currently offered by our rivals.”
Fortunately, MotorTrend got the scoop early from a source familiar with the project, claiming that the concept will be Nissan-Renault’s first major project with their new partner and Mercedes-Benz parent company, Daimler. The small car will take the form of a two-door coupe and will be a B- to C-segment car based on the same chassis as the next-gen Renault Megane and Nissan Tiida. Power will come from the Mercedes-Benz 202-horsepower, 1.8-liter CGI turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The final result will be the smallest car that Infiniti has ever produced.
Exactly 125 years to the day after Carl Benz registered his “vehicle with gas-engine drive” under patent number 37435 with the Berlin Patent Office in 1886, Daimler AG has celebrated the anniversary of the automobile. Approximately 1,400 invited guests were hosted by the inventor of the automobile at the Mercedes-Benz World in Stuttgart. The evening was moderated by Desirée Nosbusch with guests of honor including the German Federal Chancellor,
Dr. Angela Merkel, and the Prime Minister of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, Stefan Mappus. They mixed with international guests from the automotive industry and the fields of politics, business, sports, society and the media, as well as members of Daimler’s Board of Management, Supervisory Board and many Daimler employees.
Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, emphasized the importance of the automobile: “The invention of Daimler and Benz has changed the world for the better – and it will continue to do so. History shows that when a society becomes physically mobile it also becomes socially mobile and economically successful.” At the same time, Dr. Zetsche focused on the future: “As the inventor of the automobile, Daimler strives to be at the forefront of shaping future mobility.”
One of the key challenges is the transition to electric mobility.
Dr. Zetsche is convinced: “If Daimler and Benz were still alive today, they would advise us to make green cars even more fascinating and fascinating cars even greener. Only attractive innovations are effective innovations.”
World tour of fuel cell vehicles to be started
Firm evidence of the innovative strength of Daimler and Mercedes-Benz in the field of green technologies was sent on a world tour as part of the anniversary celebrations. Together with Chancellor Merkel, present and past racing drivers Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg and David Coulthard, and three Daimler engineer, Dr. Zetsche symbolically started the Mercedes-Benz F-CELL World Drive. Three B-Class cars with fuel-cell drive are to travel around the world in 125 days.
Patent granted for battery technology
125 years after Carl Benz registered his patent and more than 80,000 patents later, Daimler was granted another technology patent during the anniversary celebrations. Cornelia Rudloff-Schäffer, President of the German Patent and Trade Mark Office, presented Dr. Zetsche with the patent certificate for the so-called bipolar flat-cell frame. This technology is now in the development stage at Daimler and is potentially a further step along the way to the industrialization of lithium-ion batteries.
Milestone: 30 million Mercedes-Benz cars
Right on time for the 125th anniversary of the automobile and after 65 years of post-war production, the Mercedes-Benz brand has reached a new milestone. 30 million automobiles with the three-pointed star have been delivered to customers since 1945.
Dr. Dieter Zetsche: “This unit-sales jubilee is another major milestone in the history of our brand and demonstrates the popularity our cars have enjoyed for many decades with customers around the world.”
Sculpture “Aesthetics 125”
The latest sculpture from the Mercedes-Benz design team, “Aesthetics 125,” was unveiled during the celebrations. The sculpture continues the unique designers’ philosophy that “Mercedes-Benz design is art” and is an extension of the sculptures presented previously, “Aesthetics No. 1” and “Aesthetics No. 2.” Like them, “Aesthetics 125” provides an outlook on the future design language of Mercedes-Benz. It combines elements of an automobile’s interior and exterior by means of sweeping, almost soaring shape transitions. The model was made by the Mercedes designers using the innovative rapid-prototyping technology, which enables digital data to be transferred directly to a design object. The technology works with various materials and applies them in fine layers so that no waste material is produced when a sculpture is created.
Start of numerous activities
The anniversary celebrations at the Mercedes-Benz World mark the official start of jubilee year 2011, which Daimler has given the motto “125! years inventor of the automobile.” The Mercedes-Benz brand has given the year the motto “125! Years of innovation.” Numerous events connected with the 125th anniversary of the automobile are scheduled to take place this year.
Special bonus for the worldwide workforce
Daimler’s success – in the past, the present and the future – depends above all on the motivation and enthusiasm of its approximately 260,000 employees all over the world. For this reason, many activities and projects will be taking place in the coming year that focus on the employees. First of all, Daimler will pay out a total of 125 million euros to its worldwide workforce in the form of a special anniversary bonus. In recognition of the efforts and achievements of recent years, each employee will receive a bonus of up to 1,000 euros depending on his or her length of time at the Group.
Support for the Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz Foundation
In addition to the special bonus to be paid to the employees, Daimler is also making a gesture of social responsibility, and will increase the capital of the Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz Foundation (www.daimler-benz-stiftung.de) to 125 million euros. This foundation was established in 1986 – the year of the 100th anniversary of the automobile – and deals primarily with long-term research projects concerning the ever changing relationship between human beings, the environment and technology. The capital increase is intended to develop the foundation into a think tank specializing in this field.
“We move it! – 125 employee projects for sustainability”
There will be a very special event to honour employees’ social involvement: “We move it! – 125 employee projects for sustainability”. Employees in Germany can apply presenting environment- and community-related projects to which they dedicate their free time as volunteers. A jury of experts will select 125 projects which will then be supported or financed by Daimler with up to 5,000 Euros per project. Every employee already working, or wishing to work, for a non-profit organisation or in a public corporation can take part. Applications can be submitted starting January 29, 2011. Similar campaigns will be started in other countries such as Brazil and France.
Celebrations for employees and their families
In 2011, at virtually all the Daimler locations around the world, employee and family festivities will be organised. The celebrations at the multiple Daimler locations are intended as a “thank-you” to the workforce. For today’s celebration, 125 invitations were raffled amongst employees. Apart from this, in different events, Daimler will also raffle tickets for the international football match in the Mercedes-Benz Arena and numerous other prizes.
Exhibitions around the world
The central anchor point for the automobile’s history is the Mercedes-Benz Museum, which in 2011 celebrates its 5th anniversary at its new home in the Mercedes-Strasse in Stuttgart. In addition to the museum’s automotive classics, the guest exhibition ART 125! will be on show here from May to September 2011. Over 160 exhibits from the company’s collection of modern and contemporary art created by more than 80 internationally renowned artists will be on display. Among the works of art that will be seen there are many which originated in the artist’s treatment of the history, models or design of Mercedes-Benz motor cars. Worthy of mention among these: Andy Warhol’s (1928-1987) legendary series of paintings “CARS”, created by the artist 25 years ago on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the automobile. Beside further works with reference to the motor car by Bertrand Lavier, Robert Longo, Sylvie Fleury and Vincent Szarek among others, in the Mercedes-Benz Museum it will be possible to see for the first time a work commissioned for the automobile’s 125th birthday.
A publication is to be edited in the form of a book with 125 anecdotes revolving around the motor car, entitled “125 moving stories”. The reader can learn entertaining, informative and surprising stories – some of which have never been set down in writing before.
Exhibitions will be staged at the international Mercedes-Benz Galleries, Mercedes-Benz Brand Centres and the German Mercedes-Benz customer centres, featuring selected historic and present-day exhibits to illustrate the influence the invention of the motor-car had on society and to bear witness to Mercedes-Benz’s power of innovation – not least keeping an eye on the future of mobility. In addition, Daimler will implement a travelling exhibition of classic vehicles, which is to tour selected shopping centres throughout Germany and thus make automobile history tangible for millions of people.
Mercedes-Benz as sponsor of the 2011 Automobile Summer
The State of Baden-Württemberg celebrates the invention of the automobile with a series of events under the heading “Automobile Summer 2011– 125 years of the automobile”. Over 125 days numerous events will take place in Baden-Württemberg, grouped into eight thematic blocks: Family & Children, Origin & History, Art, Culture & Lifestyle, Technology & Research, Travel & Pleasure, Environment & Sustainability, Motor sport & Tuning as well as Wellness & Health. Five of these are planned in Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, Pforzheim, the Lake of Constance region and Mannheim. The event series will begin in Stuttgart on May 8 to finish in Mannheim on September 10. Daimler is actively supporting the 2011 Automobile Summer with its brand Mercedes-Benz acting as a sponsor.
Mercedes-Benz says “Thank you”
Starting in mid-August Mercedes-Benz will initiate activities in Stuttgart, planned to take place on several days and intended to enable members of the public to participate actively in the jubilee celebrations. An international soccer match between the German National Team and the Brazilian selection in the reconditioned Mercedes-Benz Arena in Stuttgart on August 10, 2011 will be the kick-off; Mercedes-Benz acting as “Sponsor of the day”. On subsequent days Mercedes-Benz will offer multi-media performances, vehicle exhibitions and, both for young and old, a glimpse at the future of the motor car.
This “Thank you” event will also be incorporated in the event calendar of the Automobile Summer of the State of Baden-Württemberg.
In addition, this summer Mercedes-Benz, working in close cooperation with the international official Mercedes-Benz Clubs in Berlin is organising the biggest Mercedes-Benz meeting of all times.
Retrospect:125 years of innovation in automotive construction
When Carl Benz registered his Patent number 37435 in Berlin on January 29, 1886, nobody could possibly have imagined the triumphant march the modern motor car would embark upon over the following 125 years. Less than 100 kilometres away, and almost at the same time, Swabian inventor and entrepreneur Gottlieb Daimler was working on his motor wagon, to which he gave the finishing touches that very year. However, both had to wait some years before the groundbreaking development they had succeeded in initiating became a profitable commercial proposition.
The long road to the birth of the modern-day automobile
As far back as the eighteenth century there had been first experiments with automobiles driven by steam engines, in particular in England and France. In the course of the 19th century countless engineers, developers and inventors all over Europe worked at the further development of steam engines. Electric motors were also tried for the first time. However, the decisive steps that led to Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz’s invention of the modern motor car took place in Germany with the invention of the four-stroke engine (gas engine) by Nikolaus August Otto.
Both Daimler and his congenial partner, Wilhelm Maybach, as well as Carl Benz realised that their opportunity lay in the reduction of size and weight of the engine coupled with an increase in power output at the same time. The resoluteness with which Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler developed their ideas further, and patented, implemented and tested them to finally lead to their application in series production and market maturity, makes them the fathers of an invention that was to change the world – socially, culturally and economically.