Walmart Starts Its Electric Semi Truck Transformation
7 days ago

The Freightliner eCascadia can travel 400 kilometers (250 miles) on a full charge. Each truck will travel approximately 110,000 kilometers (68,350 miles) each year. That’s a lot of driving, and at lower fuel and operational costs, that should mean a lot of financial savings.
https://cleantechnica.com/2023/12/19/walmart-starts-its-electric-semi-truck-transformation/

DDAIF changed to MBGAF:

https://otce.finra.org/otce/dailyList?viewType=Symbol%2FName%20Changes

Daimler AG changed to Mercedes Benz Group AG:

https://otce.finra.org/otce/dailyList?viewType=Symbol%2FName%20Changes

Daimler Trucks Is Short Of Workers Across The Board, CEO Says

Monday, Jun 07, 2021
https://www.zerohedge.com/economics/daimler-trucks-short-workers-across-board-ceo-says

$DDAIF Look at that (one year) chart :)

sorry i dont, try calling them. if im interested in somthn, i usually do a spot check, and here i dont have time to investigate. although i have friends in UK, i hate flyin/connecting in UK, especially Heathrow, i get anxiety attacks just saying the word Heathrow... anyways, it's interesting stuff, it could be developed, it could be silenced...

Do you know, anymore information as to where one could invest in this technological breakthrough?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7592485/Father-eight-invents-electric-car-battery-drivers-1-500-miles-without-charging-it.html

https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/12219849/filing-history

https://www.metalectrique.com/

The next step for e-mobility at Daimler Buses

Preparing for the market launch of high-output charging, Daimler Buses has equipped its Mannheim bus plant with a central charging station for the fully-electric eCitaro

August 5, 2019

Flexible and modular infrastructure concept for the relevant charging solutions: charging via cable, pantograph and charging rail
New central electric charging station for the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro at the Mannheim bus plant
Central point of call for charging during the production process, as well as for testing and further development, as well as for charging prior to delivery
Information about charging technologies for customers
Preparing for the market launch of high-output charging, Daimler Buses has equipped its Mannheim bus plant with a central charging station for the fully-electric eCitaro. It can also be used to provide the newly released eCitaro with electricity via a pantograph. The special feature of this charging station is that the charging devices are suspended at a height of around five metres above the ground. The station serves to charge the eCitaro as part of the production process and ahead of delivery to customers. Plus, new charging technologies such as charging management, new communications protocols, new hardware for charging using a cable or a roof-mounted pantograph can be tried and tested. What’s more, the infrastructure is expandable as required.

Flexible and modular infrastructure concept for the relevant charging solutions: charging via cable, pantograph and charging rail

The charging station is compatible with all common charging technologies: 150 kW cable-bound charging, 300 kW rapid charging using a pantograph on the bus roof and 300 kW rapid charging using a permanently installed set of charging rails on the roof of the bus. In technical jargon, the latter is referred to as an inverted pantograph.

All four parking bays are setup to handle the particularly common cable-bound charging of the eCitaro. And in line with this, it can handle the different charging systems of two manufacturers. Using them, buses can be charged with an output of 150 kW. Two parking bays additionally offer rapid charging via the vehicle roof; one uses a pantograph, the other uses charging rails. In both cases, the charging output is 300 kW. The entire system has a modular design to ensure that it can be expanded as required.

New central electric charging station for the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro at the Mannheim bus plant

As space in the bus plant is at a premium, Mercedes-Benz has decided to move off the ground, installing the eCitaro charging station at the height of the upper floor of the building. An idea which many transport companies also use. It doesn’t just save space, it also protects against costly accidents between manoeuvring buses and the charging technology.

The electric charging station is located directly behind the vehicle handover hall and thus has a strategically interesting location. To save electrically-powered city buses from having to carry out complex manoeuvring, the charging station has been built in a space-saving way to resemble a bridge. The city buses drive straight under the charging station and park right there for charging.

The charging station has four parking bays. It uses four charging devices with 150 kW output each and two with 300 kW each. The six charging devices enjoy shared use by three different technologies and two different manufacturers. The total connection power at the charging station is an impressive 1.2 megawatts. The corresponding cables are roughly as thick as a human arm and run in an extendible cable channel in the ground.

The charging station is positioned on a total of ten pillars and is accessible from all sides. For service purposes, wide steps lead up to the charging devices on the upper deck, as it were. These are protected against the influences of the weather by means of a roof.

Charging before delivery and for test purposes, as well as an information station for customers

There were several reasons which led to the decision to set up the central electric charging station within the plant’s premises. After leaving the production line, each new eCitaro is put through a comprehensive series of tests, both at the company’s own test track and on public roads – and the pre-requisite for completing this intense series of checks, which are incidentally also part of the regular Citaro’s production process, is of course a charged battery. At the charging station, the focus is on testing both charging via the roof and the vehicle’s own technology. The checks for road approval-relevant aspects already take place before the test drives. Also charged here ahead of their company-internal test drives are test vehicles and new technologies. Lastly, customers visiting the plant can also stop by at the electric charging station and read the information panels there regarding the various charging technologies as well as seeing them in use first-hand.

https://www.automotiveworld.com/news-releases/the-next-step-for-e-mobility-at-daimler-buses/

Daimler develops modular and flexible EV charging concept

Daimler's Mannheim bus plant comes with central charging station for Mercedes-Benz eCitaro, equipped with cable, pantograph and charging rail.

August 06, 2019

New Delhi: Daimler has developed a flexible and modular charging infrastructure concept for its Mercedes-Benz eCitaro electric bus.

Daimler's Mannheim bus plant comes with this central electric charging facility that offers charging through cable, roof-mounted pantograph and charging rail. This facility will offer a charging option during the production process and prior to delivery as well, claims the automaker in a release.

Also, it will help the company for testing and further development.

Daimler also says that it will offer new technologies such as charging management, new communications protocols, new charging hardware etc. What's more, this charging infrastructure is expandable as required.

As the German auto manufacturer claims, this charging station is compatible with all common technologies - 150 kW cable bound charging, 300 kW rapid charging using a pantograph on the bus roof and 300 kW rapid charging using a permanently installed set of charging rails on the roof of the bus, which is called as inverted pantograph.

The station has four parking bays to handle common cable-bound charging of the eCitaro. Meanwhile, the company has secured orders for 20 eCitaro from three European countries - Luxemburg, Norway and Sweden.

https://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/commercial-vehicle/mhcv/daimler-develops-modular-and-flexible-ev-charging-concept/70549715

2021 Mercedes EQB electric SUV: specs, details and release date
Smaller electric SUV set to join Mercedes EQ range

05 Aug 2019



Mercedes is set to produce an electric version of its forthcoming GLB compact SUV, the German brand has confirmed.

It will fit into the company's electric range below the larger Mercedes EQC when it arrives in 2021, and is set to look similar to the already-revealed Mercedes GLB (pictured).

The GLB was unveiled in June, boasting significant off-road capability and a range of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. Mercedes' 4MATIC four-wheel-drive system is optional on these models.

From the outside, the GLB echoes the boxy styling of the iconic Mercedes G-Class SUV and the EQB is expected to differ little from its internal-combustion-engined sibling, however distinctive styling touches associated with Mercedes' EQ electric models are certain to appear.

Although the GLB is set to be offered with seating for up to seven occupants, it hasn't been confirmed if the electric EQB will manage the same capacity, due to the presence of its battery pack.

Exact details of the EQB's electric powertrain are unconfirmed as yet, but a driving range of around 300 miles is expected, in order to be competitive with the Kia e-Niro and Hyundai Kona Electric.

The EQB is just one of the 10 electric models Mercedes plans to have on sale by the end of 2020. This line-up also includes the Mercedes EQA hatchback and Mercedes EQV people carrier.

https://www.drivingelectric.com/mercedes-benz/1217/2021-mercedes-eqb-electric-suv-specs-details-and-release-date

Mercedes-Benz E-class achieves 100,000 best-selling milestone in Korea

2019.07.22



The tenth-generation E-class luxury sedan of German carmaker Mercedes-Benz has become the first imported car model to achieve 100,000-milestone in sales in Korea.

The Korean unit of Mercedes-Benz said Monday that it delivered the 100,000th unit of E-class model to a customer in Korea on July 19. The sales achievement was made in just over three years since the model was released in the country.

Its feat comes at a time when overall imported car sales in Korea have been slowing. Foreign names saw sales contracting in Korea 22 percent during the first six months of this year against the same period last year. But Mercedes-Benz has fared well in the Korean market, firmly staying at the top for the third year in a row with E-300 selling 6,800 units this year.

Mercedes-Benz E-class cars, which are available in 12 different models, are sold at minimum 63.50 million won ($54,000) in Korea.

The company attributed the popularity of the luxury model to the wide choices in the lineups on top of excellent car performance fitted with latest auto technology.

Korea in celebration of achieving new sales milestone has launched a special marketing campaign, giving out chances to win various gifts including an opportunity to exchange old E-class sedan for E450 4Matic.

https://pulsenews.co.kr/view.php?year=2019&no=550829

Mercedes-Benz Canada reports July 2019 sales

TORONTO , Aug. 2, 2019 /CNW/ - Mercedes-Benz Canada and its national dealer network reported sales of 3,996 passenger vehicles, vans, and smarts in July, contributing to a year-to-date total of 26,119 units retailed. In the first seven months of 2019, the top five volume-drivers were the GLC SUV, C-Class Sedan, GLE SUV, GLA, and A-Class Hatch.

In July, Mercedes-Benz Canada retailed 3,507 passenger vehicles, including 1,685 cars and 1,822 SUVs. In the passenger car segment, the E-Class and S-Class families of vehicles saw sales growth of 34.0% and 70.7% respectively, compared to July 2018 . With a 73.2% increase in sales over the same period last year, the GLA was one of the top-performers in the luxury light truck segment in July. Year-to-date, the company delivered 10,079 cars and 12,729 luxury light trucks for a total of 22,808 units sold.

Mercedes-Benz Vans delivered 464 units in July, bringing to 3,105 the number of Sprinter, Sprinter Cab Chassis, and Metris vans sold year-to-date. The division was also recognized in three Vincentric Best Fleet Value in Canada award categories. For the fourth year in a row, the Metris Passenger Van won in the Mid-Size Commercial Passenger Van segment and the Metris Cargo Van took top prize in the Mid-Size Commercial Cargo Van segment. For the eighth consecutive year, the Sprinter Cargo Van 2500 Std Roof 144" WB Gas won in the Full-Size 3/4-Ton Cargo Van segment.

25 smart fortwo vehicles were delivered in July.

Mercedes-Benz Canada's Pre-Owned division reported best-ever July sales of Pre-Owned and Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles. Over the course of the month, 1,547 units were delivered (+0.2% compared to July 2019 ), of which 1,255 were CPO (+12.4% compared to July 2019 ). In all, 9,864 units were retailed year-to-date, including 8,137 CPO vehicles. CPO penetration has increased by 5.0% year-over-year.

" Mercedes-Benz Canada continued to build momentum in July, with new inventory arriving in showrooms from coast to coast," said Brian D. Fulton , President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada . "Across the dealer network, our team is ready to make this summer memorable for our customers – whether they're looking to experience a breath of fresh air in one of our cabriolets or roadsters, or seeking out the road less travelled in one of our SUVs."

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/mercedes-benz-canada-reports-july-160900604.html

Mercedes-Benz Reports July Sales of 24,612 Vehicles

August 01, 2019 01:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported July sales of 24,612 Mercedes-Benz models, a 22.9% increase over July 2018. Mercedes-Benz Vans reported July sales of 2,878 units and smart reported 56, bringing MBUSA to a grand total of 27,546 vehicles for the month, an increase of 19.5%. On a year-to-date basis, MBUSA recorded sales of 172,008, adding 18,903 units for Vans and 552 vehicles for smart, bringing the year-to-date sales volume to 191,463.

Mercedes-Benz sales leaders in July included the GLC, GLE, and C-Class model lines. The GLC led totals with 5,539 vehicles followed by GLE with sales of 5,301. The C-Class rounded out the top three with 3,449.

July sales of Mercedes-AMG high-performance models totaled 2,524 units (+25.7%) with 20,738 vehicles sold year-to-date (+19.7%).

Separately, Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned (MBCPO) models recorded sales of 10,822 vehicles in July, an increase of 3.1% versus last year. On a year-to-date basis, MBCPO sold 75,192 vehicles, an increase of 3.5% from the previous year.

About Mercedes-Benz USA

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Atlanta, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz products in the United States. MBUSA offers drivers the most diverse lineup in the luxury segment with 15 model lines ranging from the sporty A-Class sedan to the flagship S-Class and the Mercedes-AMG GT R.

MBUSA is also responsible for Mercedes-Benz Vans and smart products in the U.S. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found at www.mbusa.com, www.mbvans.com and www.smartusa.com.

Accredited journalists can visit our media site at www.media.mbusa.com. Follow us on Twitter @MBUSAnews.


MERCEDES-BENZ USA
Sales -- July 2019


Mercedes-Benz
Passenger Vehicles

Jul-19

Jul-18

Monthly %

YTD 2019

YTD 2018

Yearly %


A-CLASS
2,619

_ _
8,829

_ _

B-CLASS
1

0

_
7

132

-94.7%


CLA
609

1,424

-57.2%

7,551

13,140

-42.5%


C-CLASS
3,449

3,841

-10.2%

30,786

33,500

-8.1%


E-CLASS/CLS
2,750

2,252

22.1%

23,489

25,692

-8.6%


S-CLASS
919

630

45.9%

7,074

9,055

-21.9%


SLC
160

127

26.0%

1,347

1,308

3.0%


SL
119

95

25.3%

1,047

1,351

-22.5%


AMG GT
325

104

212.5%

2,183

1,018

114.4%


GLA
1,450

1,322

9.7%

12,048

13,484

-10.6%


GLC
5,539

4,446

24.6%

39,445

39,591

-0.4%


GLE
5,301

4,447

19.2%

23,127

27,188

-14.9%


GLS
870

1,184

-26.5%

10,755

11,383

-5.5%


G-CLASS
501

162

209.3%

4,320

2,040

111.8%


TOTAL
24,612

20,034

22.9%

172,008

178,882

-3.8%


Vans1
2,878

2,921

-1.5%

18,903

19,831

-4.7%


smart
56

103

-45.6%

552

753

-26.7%


MBUSA
Combined Total

Jul-19

Jul-18

Monthly %

YTD 2019

YTD 2018

Yearly %


GRAND TOTAL
27,546

23,058

19.5%

191,463

199,466

-4.0%

1Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner Sprinter and Metris Vans are sold and marketed in the U.S. by Mercedes-Benz USA and Daimler Vans USA, respectively.

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190801005760/en/Mercedes-Benz-Reports-July-Sales-24612-Vehicles

Chinese carmakers now own 15% of Germany's Daimler

July 23, 2019

London (CNN Business)Daimler and China's BAIC are the latest carmakers to take their relationship to the next level.

The German owner of Mercedes-Benz confirmed Tuesday that its Chinese partner, BAIC, has acquired 5% of its shares. Daimler (DDAIF) already owns 9.6% of the listed subsidiary BAIC Motor.
"This step reinforces our successful partnership and is a signal of trust in the strategy and future potential of our company," Daimler executive Ola Källenius said in a statement.
Mercedes-Benz cars are manufactured in China via a partnership between the two companies.
China is the luxury brand's largest market, accounting for more than a quarter of global sales in 2018.
Shares in Daimler advanced 3% on Tuesday in Frankfurt. Li Shufu, chairman of another Chinese carmaker Geely, owns 9.7% of Daimler. Other major Daimler shareholders include the Kuwait Investment Authority (6.8%), Bank of America (BAC) (5.2%) and BlackRock (BLK) (5.1%).

The BAIC investment reflects two industry priorities: Global carmakers are teaming up with Chinese rivals to improve their standing in the huge market, and they're partnering to share the cost of developing new technologies.
Toyota (TM) announced Friday that it had signed an agreement with China's BYD (BYDDF) to develop electric vehicles. Volkswagen (VLKAF) has paired up with Ford (F) on a similar project, and Honda (HMC) has invested in GM's (GM) self-driving car unit.
The trend toward cooperation has accelerated as traditional carmakers come under increased pressure from upstarts like Tesla (TSLA) and tech companies including Uber (UBER) and Google (GOOGL) parent Alphabet.
Daimler has been particularly focused on partnerships.
It has joined with German rival BMW (BMWYY) on driverless and ride sharing technology. It has partnered with Geely to develop Smart brand electric vehicles for urban markets.

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/23/business/daimler-baic-mercedes/index.html

Daimler Financial Services AG Becomes Daimler Mobility AG

Fri, 26 Jul 2019

Today Daimler Financial Services AG will begin operating under the name of Daimler Mobility AG and act as a provider of services in the field of financing, leasing, insurance and fleet management for the entire Daimler Group. Furthermore, the Daimler Mobility business division is a strategic investor in mobility services such as FREE NOW, SHARE NOW and Blacklane. Flexible service offerings like Mercedes-Benz Rent (car rental) and Mercedes me Flexperience (subscription solution) complete the mobility ecosystem. As part of the approved implementation of the Daimler Group’s Project Future, Daimler Mobility AG is one of the three legally autonomous units under the umbrella of Daimler AG, alongside Mercedes-Benz AG and Daimler Truck AG.

Since the start of the mobility joint ventures in February 2019, the companies established jointly by Daimler AG and the BMW Group have developed very positively. As of June 30, 2019, more than 75 million people had used the mobility services of the five joint ventures for ride hailing (FREE NOW), car sharing (SHARE NOW), on-demand mobility and multimodality (REACH NOW), parking (PARK NOW) and charging (CHARGE NOW). By the end of the second quarter, 269 million transactions had been concluded with the services of the YOUR NOW joint-venture companies.

Companies affiliated with the Daimler Mobility business division, such as the foreign Mercedes-Benz Financial Services companies and Mercedes-Benz Bank AG, will continue to do business under their firms. With the nomination of Jörg Lamparter as Member of the Board of Management for Digital and Mobility Solutions, as of 1 June 2019 the company has upgraded these business activities accordingly. With the new corporate purpose WE MOVE YOU, Daimler Mobility is also underlining its commitment to offer customers a wide range of mobility solutions. The purpose is part of a Daimler-wide initiative to give an unmistakeable identity to the individual divisions of the Group.

https://steelguru.com/auto/daimler-financial-services-ag-becomes-daimler-mobility-ag/545023#tag

Daimler’s (DDAIF) “Buy” Rating Reaffirmed at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Jul 20th, 2019

JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed their buy rating on shares of Daimler (OTCMKTS:DDAIF) in a research report report published on Friday, July 12th, AnalystRatings.com reports. The brokerage currently has a $69.00 price target on the stock.

Several other research analysts have also recently commented on the company. ValuEngine cut Verso from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Thursday, May 23rd. Bank of America restated a buy rating on shares of Continental in a research note on Wednesday, May 15th. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a hold rating and set a $73.00 price objective on shares of Daimler in a research note on Wednesday, April 24th. Royal Bank of Canada set a €67.00 ($77.91) price objective on Daimler and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, June 3rd. Finally, Societe Generale restated a hold rating on shares of Daimler in a research note on Tuesday, April 30th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. The company has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $63.40.

Shares of OTCMKTS DDAIF traded down $0.45 on Friday, hitting $50.80. The company had a trading volume of 43,969 shares, compared to its average volume of 45,689. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.40, a current ratio of 1.23 and a quick ratio of 0.91. Daimler has a 12-month low of $50.64 and a 12-month high of $69.83. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $53.88. The firm has a market cap of $54.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.34, a P/E/G ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 1.46.

Daimler (OTCMKTS:DDAIF) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 26th. The company reported $2.23 EPS for the quarter, topping the Thomson Reuters’ consensus estimate of $2.01 by $0.22. Daimler had a return on equity of 10.77% and a net margin of 4.27%. The business had revenue of $45.08 billion for the quarter. Equities research analysts predict that Daimler will post 6.49 EPS for the current year.
Daimler Company Profile

Daimler AG, together its subsidiaries, develops and manufactures passenger cars, trucks, vans, and buses in Germany and internationally. It operates through Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Daimler Buses, and Daimler Financial Services divisions. The Mercedes-Benz Cars division offers premium vehicles of the Mercedes-Benz brand, including the Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Maybach brands; and small cars under the Mercedes me and smart brands, as well as electric mobility products under the EQ brand.



https://techknowbits.com/2019/07/20/daimler-otcmktsddaif-given-buy-rating-at-jpmorgan-chase-co.html

Mercedes plans online sales push

Mercedes-Benz sees bold role for linking owners online, predicts 25 per cent online sales by 2025

25th July 2019

MERCEDES-BENZ wants 25 per cent of all its new-car sales completed online worldwide by 2025 and has outlined a roadmap of digital products to offer customers everything from mobile-phone-based parking and refuelling locations, services such as car washing and laundry, and 48-hour test drives.
The push to online was outlined at a ‘Future of Retail’ conference in the Netherlands this month, where the German prestige car-maker said it is planning a “single log-in” digital strategy offering lifestyle, mobility and shopping solutions to Mercedes-Benz owners and non-owners.

The strategy is aimed at capturing and retaining a wider group of potential owners while at the same time providing leads for its franchised dealers.



Daimler AG board of management member responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars marketing and sales, Britta Seeger, told AM Online in the UK that the aim of all future developments by Mercedes-Benz would be that of serving customers’ needs with greater ease “anytime, anywhere” with the use of a “single log-in for the Mercedes Me platform”.

She said that the increase in digital activity would not affect the “strong relationship” that Mercedes-Benz had with its 6500 franchisees around the world.

Ms Seeger said there were new plans under consideration to further broaden the brand’s physical offering, with a new Mercedes-Benz World environment already being considered for certain markets – particularly larger Asian cities – which would bring retail and lifestyle experiences together with a car showroom in one large complex.

This physical presence has been realised in Australia with the opening of the Brisbane dealership of Mercedes-Benz’s biggest global dealer group, LSH Auto. In Australia, an LSH Auto spokesman told GoAutoNews Premium that “more than one sales strategy can coexist in a broad market”.

Mercedes-Benz’s head of customer management and retail network development, Andreas Hiller, told AM Online: “We strongly believe in the human touch and the strong network that we have but we also see online and we see the energy and the power of technology. We strongly believe that we need to combine the two.”

Mercedes-Benz has expanded its customer-centric activities started in 2013 by adding pop-up stores, lifestyle-focused Mercedes Me stores, and events and conferences as it shifts from a showroom to showcase experience for customers.



The showcase experiences and digital technology includes:

At the new Netherlands dealership, a CMS system uses automated numberplate recognition (ANPR) to greet service customers and direct them to drive-in aftersales bays. ‘Star Assistants’ lead the front-of-house operation, channelling unscheduled visitors to the correct department via an iPad-operated CMS, alerting the department of their arrival.
QR codes are used to deliver in-showroom access to a customer’s choices, while digital signatures allow sales and aftersales offers to be viewed and selected.
A new Carshow app being trialled in Hong Kong gives details of where a similarly configured car might be in the Mercedes-Benz network before providing sat-nav guidance to reach the car at a specific location in a specific dealership. Tracking technology then allows the customer to call on a member of dealership staff via the app when they arrive at the vehicle.
Customers who are considering a new Mercedes-Benz can now have a 48-hour test drive.



Mercedes-Benz has additional customer-centric apps and services under development.

One is the Mercedes Me Store app that allows automatic upgrades. These can allow the owner’s smartphone to become the car’s key, for example.

There is also an electric vehicle app that will provide sat-nav bespoke routes that take in charging bays where energy can be paid for via the app. This development has been added to coincide with the launch of Mercedes-Benz’s first full-electric vehicle, the EQC SUV.

The Bertha app allows even non-Mercedes owners to visit partner petrol stations and pay for fuel from their smartphone app, while Mercedes Me Parking gives a register of available spaces and navigates users to them while also allowing payment.

The car-maker is trialling a car-sharing app that allows multiple users to have access to a single car. It has a special key that is left in the vehicle as users can request and schedule periods of usage and gain access to the vehicle via their smartphone.

Mercedes-Benz has also sought to target female customers specifically with a ‘She’s Mercedes’ concept offering an app and customer events.

The concept is active in 65 markets and has 20,000 members. In China, 6000 women took part in She’s Mercedes events last year.

Mercedes-Benz already has partnerships with Yelp and TripAdvisor and has said that the potential for collaboration for apps and in-car solutions “is endless”.

“From car-wash services, delivery services, even a dry-cleaning service which could deposit washed and ironed clothes in your parked car – the possibilities are endless,” the company said.



https://premium.goauto.com.au/mercedes-plans-online-sales-push/

ZF to supply drive components for Mercedes’ EQC

Jul 10, 2019



This is the third major order for ZF to announced within a few weeks: The supplier from Lake Constance is supplying Daimler with large parts of the drive system for the Mercedes EQC. Previously, BMW and Fiat Chrysler had ordered hybrid transmissions worth billions.

ZF confirmed the Mercedes order to local media sources. ZF CEO Wolf-Henning Scheider told a local newspaper that one of the “very large orders for electromobility” had been won and that ZF is the driveline supplier for Mercedes-Benz in the new EQC. Scheider did not want to name the scope of the project, as “the customer has the right to name the details”.

According to Scheider, ZF supplies the complete driveline module. In addition to the engine, this includes the rigid transmission (a single-speed transmission) and also the power electronics including the control software – each for the front and rear axle, since the EQC has two engines. The components are manufactured at the ZF plant in Schweinfurt. The location (and headquarters of the electric mobility division) was recently expanded by the Group to include a new, state-of-the-art building with testing facilities.

In the interview, Scheider also spoke about the future role of electromobility in the Group – ZF had so far publicly advocated plug-in hybrids in particular. Many industry observers had rated this as an attempt to be able to use the Group’s know-how for longer in the complex multi-speed transmissions for combustion engines. Meanwhile, this sounds more moderate: “ZF drives on two tracks. We see the hybrid as an important technology for the coming decades,” says Scheider. “In comparison, the battery-electric vehicle is currently ideal for the city. And if the share of green electricity increases in the next few years, its overall CO2 balance will continue to improve”.

The ZF CEO issued an indirect rejection of fuel cell cars, which is still favoured in politics and economy. When asked how many investments can we afford in parallel technologies, he answered: “I clearly see plug-in hybrids and pure electric cars for passenger cars,” said Scheider. “We have to help them achieve their breakthrough. And we must not unsettle customers with even more drives.”

Just at the beginning of the month, the third-largest German supplier announced that Fiat Chrysler had placed a major order with ZF for automatic transmissions with hybrid components after BMW. Together with the order from BMW, the order volume adds up to between 15 to 20 billion euros – ZF did not mention exact figures.

https://www.electrive.com/2019/07/10/zf-to-supply-drive-components-for-mercedes-eqc/

Daimler to Step Up Cost Cutting to Tackle Flagging Returns

24. Juli 2019

Daimler AG’s new leadership duo vowed to accelerate an overhaul with a slimmer model line-up and stronger focus on generating cash after two rapid-succession profit warnings following their debut in May.

Some of the measures will begin bearing fruit in the second half of the year with profit and cash flow anticipated to “improve significantly,” Daimler said Wednesday as it reported earnings following its outlook cut on July 12.

While the German automaker said it would step up efforts to boost efficiency across the group -- including a plan to restore eroding margins at the main Mercedes-Benz cars division -- new Chief Executive Officer Ola Kallenius asked for patience. On a call with analysts Wednesday, he said Daimler would provide details later this year. Shares rose as much as 2.9% in Frankfurt trading.

It’s been a humbling start for Kallenius, a Daimler lifer, and his finance chief Harald Wilhelm, who joined from Airbus SE. Daimler expects profit before some items to be significantly lower than a year ago due to weaker markets, delays on rolling out upgraded models and higher provisions, including the fallout from diesel-emissions investigations.

Automakers are facing unprecedented investments to develop electric vehicles and roll out new digital services like ride-sharing that undermine traditional business of selling privately owned cars. Kallenius said the industry’s fundamental transformation will last “for many, many years.” As the changes rewrite the industry’s playbook, the new CEO remains “very open” for more cooperation projects with other manufacturers and technology firms to share costs.

Daimler earlier this month reported a 1.6 billion-euro ($1.8 billion) second-quarter operating loss, after raising provisions, including ongoing diesel investigations, to 4.2 billion euros. Annual revenue will be slightly higher than a year ago, while vehicle sales will be about the same as 2018. The numbers published Wednesday came a day after Chinese joint-venture partner Beijing Automotive Group Co. emerged as Daimler’s third-biggest shareholder.

Read this: China Strengthens Hold on Daimler, Buying $2.8 Billion Stake

The latest warning puts greater urgency on the new management team to show they can lift poor returns. Profitability at the Mercedes unit may fall to as low as 3% this year, a far cry from the 8.7% margin posted by Peugeot maker PSA Group in the first half. The French peer operates in the less lucrative mass-market segment and relies heavily on European sales. Mercedes stuck to a margin target between 8% and 10%, but Kallenius didn’t say when it can be reached.

“Given the volume of difficult stuff arriving in their in-trays, we’d assume neither Kaellenius or Wilhelm -- nor their wider executive team -- will be getting much of a summer break,” Sanford Bernstein analyst Max Warburton said in a note. “We’d expect most investors to wait until the new team lays out its plans in November and even then, the cyclical and structural pressures on the sector may limit enthusiasm.”

Daimler is battling slower demand for new cars in markets including China and the U.S., but Kallenius said vehicle availability should improve in coming months after the model changeover of the high-margin GLE sport utility vehicle was hit by output constraints triggered by a supplier in the U.S. Adding to the operating woes are higher-than-expected cost for ramping up a joint Mexican factory with Nissan Motor Co. and expenses for culling a plan to build the Mercedes-Benz X-Class pickup in Argentina, which casts doubt over the model’s future.

The operating woes have put Daimler on the back foot amid efforts toward a broad corporate revamp to establish three legally independent units for cars, trucks and mobility services. Beyond the organizational overhaul, Daimler will weed out its vast range of vehicle and engine variants to focus on the ones that generate the best returns.

“That’s how you trim this tree,” Kallenius said. Reducing complexity to slash cost will be critical to revive earnings and strengthen the manufacturer’s financial muscle. “We need a mindset shift toward cash.”

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-24/daimler-sees-recovery-on-profit-cash-flow-during-second-half

E-car leader BAIC becomes Daimler’s second major Chinese investor

24 Jul 2019

Die Welt
Carmaker BAIC has become the second major Chinese investor in Daimler, bringing its electric mobility know-how to the German firm, Florian Gehm reports for Die Welt. BAIC sold nearly 165,000 e-cars in 2018, making it the world’s third biggest producer. It has acquired a 5 percent stake in Daimler. Chinese businessman Li Shufu, head of carmaker Geely, acquired nearly 10 percent of the German company last year. Daimler’s new CEO Ola Källenius said “we welcome very much that BAIC, a partner for many years, now also has become a long-term oriented investor.”

Like all German carmakers, Daimler faces the challenging shift to e-mobility and digitalised mobility services. In March, Daimler announced that its Smart brand would become pure electric, with production in China, the world’s largest car market. The company reported a one-off related loss for the second quarter, vowing to cut cost.

https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/e-car-leader-baic-becomes-daimlers-second-major-chinese-investor

Beijing Auto Buys Stake in Daimler, Deepening Their Alliance

July 23, 2019

SHANGHAI — Beijing Automotive Group said on Tuesday that it would acquire a 5 percent stake in Daimler, deepening the German automaker’s ties to a vast but troubled car market.

The Beijing-based company said it would acquire shares and voting rights equal to a 5 percent stake. The two companies are already partners in China, where foreign automakers have long been required to strike comprehensive joint ventures with Chinese firms in order to make cars there.

Neither company immediately disclosed a transaction value. Based on Daimler’s current market capitalization, a 5 percent stake would be valued at roughly $2.8 billion.

Daimler, which makes Mercedes-Benz cars and other vehicles, said it welcomed the investment, which it said would reinforce their partnership. Daimler already owns a nearly 10 percent stake in Beijing Auto’s publicly listed unit, BAIC Motor.

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“The Chinese market is and remains a crucial pillar of our success — not only for sales, but also for our product development and production,” Ola Källenius, Daimler’s chief executive, said in a statement.

China has become an important market for Daimler, accounting for 12 percent of its sales last year. More than one in four new Mercedes-Benz-branded cars are sold in China. Its ties to China tightened further early last year, when Li Shufu, the auto tycoon who leads Geely Auto of China, bought a nearly 10 percent stake.

Daimler’s China sales rose 5 percent last year over 2017, but a shadow hangs over the broader market. Car sales in China have plunged in recent months as consumers have shown signs of nervousness over slowing economic growth, as well as confusion over new emissions rules there.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/23/business/daimler-beijing-auto-baic-china.html

China's BAIC buys 5% Daimler stake; Daimler welcomes investment

JULY 23, 2019

FRANKFURT, July 23 (Reuters) - Beijing Automotive Group Co Ltd said on Tuesday that it had purchased a 5% stake in Germany’s Daimler.

Daimler said that it welcomed the investment.

https://www.reuters.com/article/baic-daimler/chinas-baic-buys-5-daimler-stake-daimler-welcomes-investment-idUSFWN24O0H0

Daimler welcomes investment by Chinese partner BAIC

July 23, 2019

FRANKFURT — Automaker Daimler says its Chinese partner BAIC Group has taken a 5% equity stake, a move Daimler said reinforces the co-operation between the two companies.

Daimler, maker of Mercedes-Benz cars, said Tuesday that BAIC acquired the stake through a fully-owned subsidiary, Investment Global Co. Ltd.

Daimler and BAIC have worked in a strategic partnership since 2003 and in 2013 Daimler took a stake in BAIC Motor, a listed subsidiary of BAIC. Daimler currently holds 9.55% of BAIC Motor’s shares.

Daimler’s biggest shareholder is Chinese investor Li Shufu, chairman of carmaker Geely, with 9.7%. Kuwait’s Sovereign Savings Fund has 6.8%.

The Associated Press

https://www.citynews1130.com/2019/07/23/daimler-welcomes-investment-by-chinese-partner-baic/

Mercedes-Benz Lineup Expansion Won't End; More New Models Planned

APR 30, 2019

Incoming Daimler boss Ola Källenius wants to save $6.75 billion while expanding into the electric realm.

As the future of the auto industry unfolds, electric vehicles will be a major part of it. EV growth in the next decade should be tremendous, and though it’s unlikely electric power will completely replace internal combustion engines anytime soon, the paradigm shift will lead to completely new models and new methods of manufacturing. Mercedes-Benz is aware of this, and as the automaker’s parent company Daimler AG prepares to welcome its new CEO Ola Källenius, a delicate balancing act of cost-cutting with EV expansion is already in his sight.

Automotive News Europe reports the incoming boss spoke at length about such things during a media roundtable at Auto Shanghai earlier in April. Among other things, Källenius is striving to find $6.75 billion in savings by 2021, which may sound like the far future but is actually less than two years from now. There isn’t a specific plan in place thus far, save for focusing on cutting costs while raising efficiency at Merc’s manufacturing plants.

One thing the company doesn’t seem keen to do, however, is shrink its vast model portfolio. In fact, according to the report, the number of Mercedes models should actually increase as the all-electric EQ line expands. There are already over 40 various Mercedes models and submodels, but Källenius apparently believes broad sharing of architectures and components will allow the automaker to offer buyers more choices while keeping costs low. In theory, the variety can help drive fresh sales in places such as Europe or America where the market is flat. And of course there’s Asia – an expanding market where Mercedes hopes to expand further.

It’s admittedly a very general plan, but it seems to rely on some rather important variables. Electrification is still quite expensive – it’s one thing to simply drop an electric motor and a battery into a vehicle originally designed to carry all the fluids and components to burn fuel, but getting the most from electric power means all-new designs, new technology, and new processes that are EV-specific. These production costs should drop as electric development progresses, but the exact savings and timeframe are tricky to pin down. According to the report, Källenius says this will take many years, and nobody really know how much lower the costs will go.

Meanwhile, 2021 is barely a year and a half away.

https://www.motor1.com/news/347320/mercedes-lineup-new-models-planned/

Mercedes-Benz to sell 25% of cars online by 2025

19/07/2019

Mercedes-Benz has said that 25% of its new car sales transactions will be completed online by 2025 as it develops a “single log-in” digital strategy offering lifestyle, mobility and shopping solutions to owners and non-owners alike.

At a ‘Future of Retail’ conference at the brand’s new dealership in The Hague yesterday (July 18) the German premium brand revealed its plans to drive its online as it grows its online influence to engage a wider range of potential customers and create data-rich leads for its franchised retailers.

Mercedes’ variety of customer touchpoints has been expanded to include temporary pop-up-stores, lifestyle-focussed Mercedes Me stores, events and conferences since a change of strategy in 2013.

Now Britta Seeger, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars marketing and sales, has said its time for further diversification in a bid to better merge Mercedes-Benz’s digital and physical retail experiences.

“The world is changing fast and so are the needs, the wishes and the expectations of our customers,” she said.

“Being ‘always on’ is a game-changer which strongly influences our daily lives today and will do so even more so in the future.”

Seeger said that the aim of all future developments by Mercedes-Benz would be that of serving customers’ needs with greater ease “anytime, anywhere” with the use of a “single log-in for the Mercedes Me platform”.

But while Seeger revealed that a quarter of car sales will be fulfilled online within the next six years - in an echo of the comments made to AM by the brand's UK chief executive, Gary Savage, in 2016 - she sought to reiterate the “strong relationship” the German premium brand with its 6,500 franchise partners across the globe as it aims to align its online activity.

Attempting to underline this, Seeger said that there were new plans under consideration to further broaden the brand’s physical offering, with a new Mercedes-Benz World environment already being considered for certain markets – particularly larger Asian cities – which would bring retail and lifestyle experiences together with a car showroom in one large complex.

In this month's AM magazine LSH Auto managing director, Martyn Webb, reveals his plans to introduce concessions to his franchises in Stockport and Solihull not only to help the sprawling new facilities meet the financial costs attacthed to their development but to fulfil the role of "transforming the dealership from a sales point to a destination that is a hive of activity".

New-generation CMS

Tanja Wagner, Mercedes-Benz’s head of physical retail experience, explained changes in personnel in the dealership environment and said that retailers would be aiming to shift from a showroom to showcase experience for customers.

At the dealership in The Hague, which opened its doors three months ago, a new CMS system utilises automated numberplate recognition (ANPR) to greet service customers and direct them to drive-in aftersales bays, while front of house Star Assistants lead the front of house operation, channelling unscheduled visitors to the correct department via an iPad-operated CMS, alerting the department to their arrival.

Andreas Hiller, head of customer management and retail network development, revealed how online configurations generated QR codes to deliver in-showroom access to a customer’s choices, while digital signatures allowed sales and aftersales offers to be viewed and agreed in paperless fashion.

A new app being trialled in Hong Kong looks set further streamline the digital experience, though.

The Carshow app will give details of where a similarly configured car might be in the Mercedes-Benz network before providing sat-nav guidance to reach the car – at a specific location in a specific dealership.

Tracking technology then allows the customer to call on a member of dealership staff via the app while they are stood with the vehicle.

Hiller said: “We strongly believe in the human touch and the strong network that we have but we also see online and we see the energy and the power of technology. We strongly believe that we need to combine the two.”

Further helping to combine the two are a series of apps and collaborations now being developed and explored by Mercedes-Benz.

Embracing apps

Marc-Oliver Nandy, head of digitalisation, sales and Mercedes Me, revealed how the brand intends to engage with customers and non-customers online to not only increase its sphere of influence but, no doubt, it’s wealth of potential customer data.

While 90% of owners now engage with the Mercedes Me app which can deliver online booking, service reminders and other assets, the brand is now embarking on an expansion into mobility solutions and online retail.

A Mercedes Me Store app has now been added to the latest MBUX infotainment system, allowing over the airwaves upgrades – to DAB radio or the use of your smartphone as a key, for example.

Now the electric vehicle (EV) specific app delivering sat-nav bespoke routes taking in partner charge points where energy can be paid for via the app has been added to coincide with the launch of the EQC SUV, the brand’s first full-EV.

Meanwhile the Bertha app allows even non-Mercedes owners to visit partner petrol stations and pay for fuel from their smartphone app, Mercedes Me Parking gives a register of available spaces and navigates users to them while also allowing payment.

Similarly an under-trial car sharing app allows multiple users to have access to a single car, a special key being left in the vehicle as users can request and schedule periods of usage and gain access to the vehicle via their smartphone.

Nandy said: “Already we have partnerships with Yelp and TripAdvisor and the potential for collaboration for apps and in-car solutions is endless, really.

“From a car wash services, delivery services, even a dry cleaning service which could deposit washed and ironed clothes in your parked car. The possibilities are endless.”

OEM turned online ‘influencer’

The advantages of further online engagement are clear for Mercedes-Benz, allowing it to add contact points and learn more about potential customers’ habits and behaviour.

It’s a trend that the brand started with the opening of its first temporary pop-up store in Warsaw back in 2013. It has since rolled the concept out into 20 countries globally.

Meanwhile, Mercedes Me stores focus more on events, with a focus on exceptional gastronomy, in a bid to engage customers with the brand through other platforms and Mercedes Me Conventions have followed, with the next due to take place at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this year.

Mercedes-Benz has also sought to target female customers specifically with a ‘She’s Mercedes’ concept offering an app and customer events. To date, Seeger said, the concept has been made active in 65 markets, attracting 20,000 members.

“In China alone 6,000 women took part in She’s Mercedes events last year,” she said.

The effects have been marked, coinciding with a growth in global in sales volumes for the premium carmaker.

Seeger said that every second driver of a Mercedes-Benz in the compact sector previously drove a competitor vehicle, with 60% of A-Class customers in Europe considered as conquests.

She added: “In China, the average A-Class owner is aged 35.”

While its renewed focus on mobility and online lead generation is clear, it seems Mercedes-Benz could be well on its way to becoming an online ‘influencer’ in its bid to draw new, young and tech-savvy customers into its retail environment.

https://www.am-online.com/news/manufacturer/2019/07/19/mercedes-benz-to-sell-25-of-cars-online-by-2025

Mercedes-Benz kicks off all-electric EQC production, sales and pricing

POSTED ONMAY 7, 2019

German carmaker Mercedes-Benz has kicked off production and sales of its first ever all-electric vehicle, the EQC compact SUV in Europe.

The EQC, which will be priced from €71,281 ($A114,168 at today’s rates) for its “generously equipped” basic version, is being produced from Mercedes-Benz’s Bremen factory in north-western Germany, on the same production line as the carmaker’s C-Class Saloon and Estate, GLC and GLC Coupé models.

With a range of 445-471km (based on the NEDC cycle), the EQC represents the first of Mercedes-Benz’ EQ series which was first announced globally in September 201, and is marketed as a “family-friendly” SUV.

First unveiled in Australia at an exclusive event in Melbourne in March, the EQC is just the start for Mercedes-Benx which has promised 7 pure battery electric vehicles across all its segments.

As the carmaker so elegantly puts it, “Electric now has a Mercedes”.

“With the Mercedes-Benz EQC, we are entering a new era of mobility. It is part of the growing family of all-electric vehicles at Mercedes-Benz and combines brand-defining features such as quality, safety and comfort,” said Britta Seeger, head of Mercedes-Benz car sales for parent group Daimler in a statement.

“We offer our customers progressive design and unique ride comfort – and this with a range absolutely suitable for everyday use,” states Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales.

The EQC will also initially be available is a limited special edition “1886” which offers an extensive range of “customer-friendly” electric mobility extras, according to the carmaker.

“The EQC Edition 1886 not only stands for progressive design, exciting driving dynamics and a range more than suitable for daily use, it also stands for intelligent additional services that anticipate and fulfil the driver’s needs. Long-term, worry-free vehicle use is the focus here,” said Seeger.

Coming in at under €60,000 ($A96,100) for the basic net price in Germany means it will be eligible for Germany’s €4,000 ($A6,410) environmental subsidy.

How the vehicle is configured in the carmaker’s online configurator will determine the vehicle’s driving range, with energy consumption ranging from 20.8 – 19.7kWh per 100 kilometres.

“With the start of production of the Mercedes-Benz EQC, we are turning the switch today – for the electric mobility of the future,”said Markus Schäfer, member of Mercedes-Benz’s board for cars, production and supply chain in a statement.

The EQC is expected to arrive in Australia in the third quarter of 2019.

“We expect to have the first vehicles in Australia in October, and first arrivals to customers shortly after that, and stock in dealers for people to experience the EQC in person” said a spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz Australia.

https://thedriven.io/2019/05/07/mercedes-benz-kicks-off-all-electric-eqc-production-sales-and-pricing/

Fuel Cell Plug-in Hybrid Mercedes-Benz

May 1, 2019

If it is possible to operate electric vehicles using only renewable energy, the CO2 emissions over the entire lifecycle fall by 70 % compared with combustion-engine vehicles. The same applies to fuel cell vehicles, which give rise to more emissions in production but slightly fewer than battery vehicles in operation, and where the supply of hydrogen has a major influence on the overall effect.

In order to gauge a vehicle’s environmental compatibility, Mercedes-Benz consider all emissions and the use of resources over the entire lifecycle. This is achieved by means of an eco-balance that records the key environmental impacts. It includes the extraction of raw materials, production and use, and finally recycling.

As in all electric vehicles, how the necessary power is generated is the decisive factor. The same question arises with respect to the generation of hydrogen. Currently only around 4% of the global hydrogen is produced by electrolysis. The majority of hydrogen (~95%) originates from fossil fuels.

While the components specific to the new fuel cell plug-in hybrid GLC F-CELL lead to considerably higher CO2 emissions during production, these can in part be considerably overcompensated over the use phase, depending on the hydrogen and power source.

The CO2 saving over the entire lifecycle is greatest if the car is operated exclusively with hydrogen and power from renewable sources.

According to Daimler, the aim is to reduce the use of primary raw materials for the powertrain and battery technology by 40% by 2030. Apart from the economical use of resources, the reconditioning of components and the recycling of the raw materials used play an important role as well. Advances in lithium-ion battery technology will further contribute to this reduction; energy density will be further increased, while batteries will become increasingly lighter in weight.

The materials composition will change, and materials such as cobalt will be replaced by nickel.

This holistic approach also includes the use of vehicle batteries in stationary energy-storage devices after their mobile service life.

The aspect of energy supply to the production locations also plays an important role. All Mercedes-Benz plants in Germany will therefore switch to CO2-neutral energy supply, e.g., wind power and hydropower, by 2022. This will reduce the CO2 expenditure in the lifecycle of the vehicles by the amount accounted for by assembly of the components.

The novel car features both fuel cells and a battery drive, which can be charged externally using plug-in technology. Apart from electricity, it also runs on pure hydrogen. This has some advantages:

Within 3 minutes at a hydrogen filling station, the full operating range of over 400 km is available again.
The battery provides a further 50 km or so of range.
On downhill stretches and when braking, kinetic energy can be stored in the battery.
The battery provides additional power for brisk acceleration.

https://www.advancedsciencenews.com/fuel-cell-plug-in-hybrid-mercedes-benz/

Mobility of the future – battery or hydrogen or both? Part 1

Daimler opts for a combination
Daimler wants to go its own way with its Sprinter series. In addition to the e-Sprinter, the company presented the Sprinter F-Cell concept at last year’s IAA Commercial Vehicles in Hanover. The motor home has a 147 kW fuel cell and the hydrogen tanks installed in the undercarriage offer a range of up to 500 kilometers, depending on the configuration. In addition, there is a small, externally rechargeable battery that can supply energy for up to 30 kilometers. According to Daimler, the H2 Sprinter is a design for an alternative propulsion system suitable for long distances, as it could be used, for example, in motor homes, but also in courier vans and minibuses.

“We will offer an electric propulsion system in our complete commercial range – starting this year with the eVito and the eSprinter later in 2019,” explained Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. “With these, This means that we already cover many, but not all, applications with a locally emission-free drivetrain. We are therefore supplementing our eDrive@VANs strategy with the fuel cell drive, which offers great medium-term opportunities in long-distance operation in particular – regardless of whether a fuel cell vehicle is used as a motor home or for other commercial applications.”

The potential of this technology is undisputed, he stressed. ” That applies above all to comparatively large vans with a need for long-range and short refueling times. Our analyses demonstrate that the fuel cell can represent a sensible expansion of the drivetrain range in a number of different applications in both the commercial and private arenas. The Concept Sprinter F-CELL provides insight today into the possibilities for the future”.

https://innovationorigins.com/mobility-of-the-future-battery-or-hydrogen-or-both-part-1/

Mercedes-Benz sales hit 1,134,729 in six months

19 July 2019



Mercedes-Benz has sold 1,134,729 cars from January to June this year.

According to Daimler AG, the firm responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars sales, the brand continues to be the leader among the premium car brands in a highly competitive environment worldwide, despite ongoing model changes.

Unit sales decreased in the first half of the year primarily due to ongoing model changes for SUVs, the brand’s segment with the largest volume.

In the second quarter, Mercedes-Benz sold a total of 573,856 cars. Sales momentum in those three months came primarily from the new compact-car models, including the new A-Class Saloon worldwide, and the new B-Class and new CLA Coupé in Europe.

In June, the Stuttgart-based company with the three-pointed star sold 196,230 vehicles. Mercedes-Benz maintained its market leadership in the premium segment in the first half of the year in markets including Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Greece, South Korea, Japan, Australia, and Canada.

Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales, Britta Seeger, said: “After a challenging first half of the year, Mercedes-Benz continues to be at the top of the premium segment. We are particularly pleased with the great popularity of the new compact models. In the third quarter, we anticipate sales momentum from the new SUVs with the star. ”

“In July, two real customer favourites will be in our showrooms: the new GLC and the GLC Coupé. The GLC, which has been the highest-volume model in our SUV portfolio for several years, comes with the latest intelligent driver assistance systems just like the GLC Coupé and is equipped with MBUX as standard.”

Mercedes-Benz unit sales by region and market
In the first half of this year, 457,595 vehicles with the three-pointed star were sold in the Europe region. In Germany, the domestic market, 147,351 units were sold in the first six months and 24,033 cars with the star were handed over to customers in June

Unit sales increased last month in the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Russia, Portugal, the Netherlands and Denmark. Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz set new records for unit sales in the first half of a year in France, Spain, Poland and Denmark.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Mercedes-Benz sold 478,254 cars in the first half of the year

The Stuttgart-based company with the star increased its sales by 1.3 per cent to a total of 344,657 units in China, the region’s core market, in the first six months. Deliveries in June were slightly higher than in the prior-year month, with a total of 57,018 vehicles handed over to customers in China.

Unit sales in South Korea increased by 2.1% last month, and a new record for cars sold in the first half of a year was achieved in Vietnam.

In the NAFTA region, 30,808 vehicles were delivered last month. In the region’s core market, the United States, the prior-year level was reached with sales of 26,196 cars. Unit sales by Mercedes-Benz in the USA in the first half of the year totaled 147,396 vehicles.

Sales by model
Unit sales of the compact cars from Mercedes-Benz increased in the first half of the year, with a total of 313,000 A- and B-Class, CLA, CLA Shooting Brake, and GLA models sold. More than 57,000 compact cars sold in June represents growth of 13.7 percent compared with the same month of last year. Demand for the new A-Class was strong worldwide last month, while the new CLA Coupé also posted strong double-digit growth in Europe in the second month after its market launch there.

More than 206,000 units of the C-Class Saloon and Estate models were delivered to customers worldwide in the first half of the year. During the same period, unit sales of the long-wheelbase version of the C-Class Saloon increased by 4.7 percent. Unit sales of the C-Class Estate were 23.4 percent higher in June than in the prior-year month and increased by 3.4 percent in the first half of the year.

Sales of SUVs in the first six months of this year were below the high prior-year level due to model changes, with approximately 367,000 units of the GLA, GLC, GLC Coupé, GLE, GLE Coupé, GLS and G-Class sold.

Despite ongoing model changes, one-third of all Mercedes-Benz cars sold worldwide in the first half of the year were SUVs. The G-Class set a new sales record in the first six months of its 40th anniversary year; deliveries actually more than doubled in June.

Smart
In the first half of this year, 60,318 two-door and four-door cars of the smart brand were handed over to customers worldwide. In Europe, unit sales increased by 0.6 percent in the first six months. The smart brand enjoyed great popularity especially in Germany, with unit sales increasing by 12.8 percent to a new record in the first half of the year. In France and Switzerland, unit sales increased by a double-digit percentage in the first six months of this year.

https://guardian.ng/features/mercedes-benz-sales-hit-1134729-in-six-months/

That can not be true! Daimler is setting a reserve worth 1.6 billion euros for ongoing governmental and court proceedings, measures related to Mercedes-Benz Diesel vehicles as well as higher provision related to the recall of Takata airbags by 1 billion euros.

That is not good at all! Why??? Daimler Gives Profit Warnings on Regulatory & Recall Costs

July 15, 2019

German automaker Daimler AG DDAIF has lowered its profit forecast for the fourth time in 13 months most likely due to costs involved in regulatory crackdown and recall.

The luxury carmaker’s shares plunged after the company announced expectations of lower pre-tax profits in 2019 from the 2018 levels. Further, the company decided to set aside more money to tide over the fallout on diesel emissions and airbag recalls.

Daimler is setting a reserve worth 1.6 billion euros for ongoing governmental and court proceedings, measures related to Mercedes-Benz Diesel vehicles as well as higher provision related to the recall of Takata airbags by 1 billion euros.

The warning does not bode well for the vast auto sector in Germany, which is likely to cause an economic slowdown. The company also faces lower demand for diesel in the U.K. and Europe. Further, Daimler’s confidence has been hit by an ongoing trade war, as its vehicles are shipped from the United States to China.

An investigation is underway to check the carmaker’s diesel pollution levels. It has become a mandate for the company to clean combustion engines. This is likely to be a hurdle to the company’s growth as it intends to make heavy investments in self-driving and electric vehicles. Moreover, sluggish growth in China along with weak demand in Europe is spreading tension globally.

The company anticipates second-quarter loss before interest and taxes of 1.6 billion euros against profit of 2.6 billion euros in the year-ago quarter.

In the past six months, Daimler has underperformed the industry it belongs to. During the same time frame, the company’s shares have dropped 8.1% compared with the industry’s fall of 3.6%.

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

Daimler carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).

Some better-ranked stocks in the auto space are Ford Motor Company F, CarMax, Inc KMX and AutoZone, Inc AZO. While Ford sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), CarMax and AutoZone carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Ford has an expected long-term growth rate of 7.3%. In the past six months, shares of the company have gained 26.5%.

CarMax has an expected long-term growth rate of 12.57%. In the past six months, shares of the company have rallied 39.1%.

AutoZone has an expected long-term growth rate of 12.2%. In the past six months, shares of the company have improved 39.8%.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/daimler-gives-profit-warnings-regulatory-125212387.html?.tsrc=rss

This is crazy! How can something like that happen ???? FRANKFURT, July 12 (Reuters) - Luxury carmaker Daimler on Friday warned investors that it expected a second-quarter loss before interest and taxes of 1.6 billion euros ($1.80 billion) after a 2.6 billion profit posted in the year earlier period.

What is going on there????? CORRECTED-Daimler warns of Q2 operating loss

2 MIN READ

(Corrects headline to Q2 operating loss from Q2 profit below expectations)

FRANKFURT, July 12 (Reuters) - Luxury carmaker Daimler on Friday warned investors that it expected a second-quarter loss before interest and taxes of 1.6 billion euros ($1.80 billion) after a 2.6 billion profit posted in the year earlier period.

Daimler said it now expects group earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) to be significantly below the prior year level, compared to a previous guidance of EBIT of the same magnitude as a year earlier.

Provisions for an extended recall in connection with Takata airbags will increase by around 1 billion euros, Daimler said.

The carmaker also took a hit of 1.6 billion euros following a reassessment made in connection with ongoing governmental and court proceedings and measures relating to Mercedes-Benz diesel vehicles.

“A decision by the Board of Management in the context of the product portfolio review and prioritization, which was taken today, will affect earnings of the Mercedes-Benz Vans division in the second quarter (of) 2019 by around 0.5 billion euros,” Daimler added. ($1 = 0.8873 euros) (Reporting by Arno Schuetze Editing by Michelle Martin)

https://www.reuters.com/article/daimler-results/corrected-daimler-warns-of-q2-operating-loss-idUSFWN24C0T6

$DDAIF vs $NIO / E town also invested in a joint facility by Mercedes-Benz $DDAIF and state-owned BAIC BJEV, which has EV manufacturing capabilities.

The smart brand increased its unit sales by 16% in June and delivered 13,147 cars to its customers worldwide. The urban microcar achieved new records in the Asia-Pacific region; never before were so many smart cars delivered to customers there in the month of June and in the first six months of a year.

Mercedes-Benz unit sales by model

Sales of the A- and B-Class, the CLA, CLA Shooting Brake and GLA totalled 59,423 units in June (+9.3%). Increased demand in China compared with the prior-year month was the main factor behind this best-ever June sales for the compact cars from Mercedes-Benz. In the first half of the year, 319,626 customers worldwide were able to take delivery of their new compact car, more than ever before (+18.6%).

More than 200,000 units of the C-Class Saloon and Estate have already been sold this year. One reason for this is the long-wheelbase version of the C-Class Saloon, which is offered exclusively in China and achieved a new all time high in June and the first six months. The C-Class segment has now been strengthened with the addition of the C-Class Cabriolet, which can now be ordered in Europe.

The SUVs from Mercedes-Benz surpassed their previous record set in June 2015 by 43%, with sales of 62,175 units this June. Sales growth of 46.1% in the first half of the year was even stronger (339,541 units). This means that SUVs meanwhile account for one third of the total unit sales of Mercedes-Benz. And the product offensive is continuing: a second coupe will expand the SUV segment. The new GLC Coupé has been driving off the assembly lines in Bremen since June.

Mercedes-Benz unit sales by region and market

In Europe, sales by Mercedes-Benz increased in June by 13.7% to 86,657 units. Between January and June, 444,581 vehicles were handed over to European customers, an increase of 13.3%. In the home market Germany, unit sales in the first half of the year totalled 142,756 vehicles (+7.8%). In Germany, Italy and Portugal, the Stuttgart-based company with the three-pointed star was the market leader among the premium manufacturers last month.

In the Asia-Pacific region, Mercedes-Benz delivered 63,754 vehicles to customers in June (+16.4%), and actually achieved more than 20% growth in unit sales in the first half of the year. In China, the biggest market for Mercedes-Benz, growth in the first half of the year was especially strong with sales of 219,999 units (+33.1%). In Japan, Australia and Taiwan, Mercedes-Benz was the premium brand with the most new registrations last month.

In the NAFTA region, 33,245 vehicles with the three-pointed star were handed over to customers in June (+2.4%) and nearly 190,000 units in the first six months. Sales in the USA increased since the beginning of the year to a new record of 28,473 units (+1.5%). The new E-Class Saloon was launched there in June, and will ensure further sales growth. Mercedes-Benz was once again the market leader among the premium manufacturers in Canada last month.

In June, 188,444 Mercedes-Benz cars were handed over to customers all over the world (+11.1%).

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2016/07/06/257123-mercedes-benz-2016-half-year-sales-results.html

In the period of January through June, 1,006,619 vehicles with the three-pointed star were delivered (+12.1%).

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2016/07/06/257123-mercedes-benz-2016-half-year-sales-results.html

Mercedes-Benz 2016 Half-year Sales Results http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2016/07/06/257123-mercedes-benz-2016-half-year-sales-results.html

What do you mean NYBob, it goes down?

Good buy so far

Anyone out there? Inherited a few shares. Still listed as a strong buy, so I'll hold for a while.

10:28 AM German automakers Volkswagen (VLKAY.PK), Daimler (DDAIF.PK), and BMW (BAMXY.PK) plan to spend $25B by 2017 in order to expand production into areas outside of Europe. The goal of the companies is to escape their reliance on the European car market which is currently stuck in a state of malaise. Expanding capacity in North America and China are two of top priorities of the group

6:44 AM Daimler (DDAIF.PK) CEO Dieter Zetsche warns that the automaker doesn't see much of a tailwind from markets over the next few months and it may have to shift earnings expectations. The comments from the exec were made at the company's annual shareholder meeting in Berlin.

DDAIF charts

Daimler AG beats by EUR0.02; beats on revs

2:47 AM 7/25/2012 - Briefing.com
Reports Q2 (Jun) GAAP EPS of EUR1.34 vs EUR1.32 CIQ est; revs increased 10% YoY to EUR28.9 bln vs EUR28.0 bln CIQ est. said: Co provides its Outlook. On the basis of the divisions' planning, Daimler expects its total unit sales in the year 2012 to be higher than the figure of 2.1 mln vehicles achieved in the year 2011. Mercedes-Benz Cars assumes that it will further increase its unit sales this year and will grow faster than the market as a whole. Unit sales in each of the remaining quarters of 2012 are expected to be higher than in the respective prior-year periods. Following the significant growth of the year 2011, the Daimler Group assumes that its total revenue will increase again in the year 2012. In regional terms, above-average growth rates are expected in the emerging markets and in North America. ""...economic uncertainty and risks exist in nearly all regions."

DDAIF is the ticker here since 2010

SECURITY ADDITIONS
DL Date Symbol Company Name Effective Date OATS Reportable Flag Comments
6/4/2010 DDAIF Daimler AG Common Stock 6/7/2010 Y From NYSE (DAI)

Daimler AG
Ordinary Shares

http://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/DDAIF/company-info

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