Daimler to Name Compact Car Partner in mid-2010

Mercedes-Benz Concept BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS electric car

Daimler AG is looking to develop a new compact car partnership, reports German newspaper Handelsblatt. The venture, possibly with Renault SA, could come into play within the next six months.

Daimler has been looking for help in expanding the Smart brand, and the company has expressed interest in partnering with another firm to build new engines for its compact offering. Renault has referred to Daimler as a potential partner in their development of a new line-up of inexpensive urban vehicles.

BMW has a similar partnership with Peugeot. The two jointly developed the Prince 1.4- and 1.6-liter engines for use in the MINI range, Peugeot 207, 308 and Citroen C4. Former Daimler tie-up Chrysler joined hands with Fiat in part to bring a small car range Stateside.

Unlike Chrysler, Daimler boss Dr. Dieter Zetsche told the German paper they will not sell an ownership stake in their passenger car division to make a partnership happen. He did not rule out the possibility of selling a stake in their commercial vehicle division.

Source: autonews.com (sub req)

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inocentgirl

Uhhh so pretty....soooo pretty...NOT!!!!

December 30, 2009 3:11 pm

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JorgeLovesAudiA3TDI

Mercedes + Renault = http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/R969dblFPqI/AAAAAAAAmUY/n8XSjcGj6vk/s400/PGCH_6.jpg

December 30, 2009 3:15 pm

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Godfather

Why don't Mercedes link up with Honda?

December 31, 2009 8:40 am

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alessandro

Good news.

December 30, 2009 3:22 pm

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hubix_mt

A very reasonable team-up... Merc need to desperately enter the smaller car markets, while Renault have completely given up in the D Segment and over.

December 30, 2009 3:33 pm

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nederina

Renault/Nissan is a good bet. Mercedes' Audi A1, MINI, Alfa Mito rival?

December 30, 2009 3:38 pm

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Renegade

Hmm, don't take the bait Renault-Nissan, Daimler is poison, they almost killed Chrysler, they are doing that to Tesla. They can't be trusted.

December 30, 2009 3:58 pm

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cnpgs

Actually, I think you'll find that it was the other way around... Daimler was short of funds because of Chrysler and gave them several platforms and engines to be used in Chrysler vehicles...they even had to send some engineers over to Chrysler. Meanwhile, Daimler suffered from a low number of engineers and poor management of resources (if you think about it, that's why Mercs weren't that great between the late 90s until around 3 years ago; because they were tied up with Chrysler and nearly got destroyed. Before the late 90s and in the past 3 years, they have produced excellent vehicles).

December 30, 2009 5:24 pm

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hunkeers87

bmw have partnership with Peugeots????? ha ha ha ha aha thats whay bmw going down so fast :D good for me :)

December 30, 2009 4:40 pm

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LWKH

bmw's partnership with peugeot is only regarding one of the previous generation mini engines. no partnership was associated with bmw products. besides, where did you hear about bmw going down? the last time i checked, it was still no.1 luxury brand with superior products. get your facts straight.

December 31, 2009 8:55 am

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McNamara68

Daimler does NOT = Mercedes to those posting above.

December 30, 2009 6:28 pm

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kuklukklak

Cool.

December 31, 2009 2:53 am

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