Urban mobility concepts - Daimler betting big...

I have been closely following the developments in the "field" of urban mobility, or as many say, mobility concepts, and one thing is clear, Daimler AG is betting big on it.

They first made headlines with their car2go program somewhere around 2009 (?) through which you could walk up to a smart fortwo for rent, swipe your smart card, drive to wherever you want within the city and just leave it there.

Now I read that they have acquired a minority stake in a Munich-based company called tiramizoo. Last year, tiramizoo launched a fully automated online booking platform for local courier - meaning you just fill in an online form stating what, where, when and your packet will be delivered! Daimler plans to capitalize tiramizoo's expertise in optimizing flow of goods (efficient use of urban road communication) to add more innovation to services already offered in its car2go program.

Earlier, Daimler also acquired stakes in MyTaxi (an online taxi booking platform) and carpooling.com. car2go already has 150,000 registered users. It seems like Daimler is betting big on the concept of urban mobility and is playing its cards right and has managed to stay ahead of it competitors, especially BMW and Peugeot.

I think Daimler is going to make the concept of urban mobility popular and mainstream.

Watch out for Daimler! 

Renault-Nissan teams up with Daimler

Renault-Nissan enters into a strategic partnership with Daimler. All the three automakers will have around 3% stake in one another through equity exchange. The near-future aim of this alliance is to collaborate on the next generation Smart Fortwo and the Renault Twingo, including electric versions of the cars.

The overall objective of this alliance is to share and develop engines and powertrains for future passenger cars and light commercial vehicles for all three automakers.

In a nutshell, Daimler will get to use Renault-Nissan's latest generation small 3/4-cylinder small petrol and diesel engines for new Smart vehicles and also use these engines to introduce entry-level vehicles in the future. Daimler also gets to use Renault-Nissan diesel powertrains for it van, the Vito. Moreover, Mercedes-Benz Vans will get to include Renault-Nissan entry level models in its Light Commercial Vehicle portfolio from 2012 onwards.

In return, Daimler commits to lend its 4/6-cylinder petrol and diesel engines to Nissan's luxury car brand, Infiniti.

The deal clearly states that the brand and product identities of the three car-makers will remain intact.

There is also talks about Daimler and Renault-Nissan using one another's plants in the US to manufacture vehicles.

This looks like an interesting alliance provided Daimler keeps its end of the promise and not provide dated engines and powertain to Nissan like it did to Chrysler.

Whichever way the alliance swings, but one thing is for sure, the new age of automotive industry has arrived and many more consolidations are in the cards.

Is BYD, China, buying the Maybach marquee from Daimler?

The latest speculation in the automotive world is BYD approaching Daimler AG to buy the Maybach brand. BYD is one of the smaller Chinese automotive companies that focus in battery-operated electric vehicles. BYD already had teamed up with Daimler to develop electric vehicles for the Chinese market.

Interesting facts about BYD are that, Warrren Buffet has a 10% stake in the company and it was originally a Li-ion battery manufacturer for Nokia and Motorola.

Spokespeople from both the companies have clearly denied the rumors and have passed it off as market speculation.

The truth remains to be seen. But with a poor sale of around 200 Maybachs last year and Daimler working vehemently to lose its extra fat, such a rumor might not stay a rumor for long.