Daimler news stories on Newser

Mercedes, Toyota Use Laptop Batteries in Electric Cars

Kevin Spak — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 06:22:00 CDT

When Tesla Motors first tried powering cars with a bundle of laptop batteries, the industry laughed. But now, other automakers are lining up to use the technology. Mercedes plans to produce a new version of its A-Class this fall with two Tesla batteries, each containing about 2,000 individual batteries...

UAW to Own 55% of Chrysler

Kevin Spak — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:07:28 CDT

The United Auto Workers are about to own Chrysler. In exchange for a variety of concessions, the union will eventually get a 55% majority share in the automaker, according to a summary of the restructuring deal, which was sent to union leaders late last night and reviewed by the Wall...

Bailout Would Help German Giants, Too

Ambreen Ali — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:20:23 CST

German giants BMW and Daimler are rooting for a bailout of the Big Three, since a bankrupt Detroit would devastate sales and cripple parts-makers they all share, Bloomberg reports. The US is the top market for BMW, No. 2 for Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz. Meanwhile, Fiat, Peugeot, and Renault—which compete with...

London's Stodgy Cabs Get Overhaul

Jason Farago — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 06:36:00 CDT

London's black cabs, with their jump seats and garrulous drivers, are one of the emblems of the city. But they're also gas-guzzling polluters, reports the New York Times , so this month the eco-conscious British capital is introducing a new taxi to its streets: a minivan designed by Mercedes that bears...

30K Americans Ordered... This?

Matt Cantor — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 18:30:06 CST

American orders for a new fuel-smart car are already swamping its German manufacturer, the AFP reports. Some 30,000 Americans have already put down $99 on Daimler's Smart Fortwo in anticipation of its January arrival—but some analysts say the tiny two-seater will end up parked in a country that...

"Vulture Fund" Behind Chrysler Deal

Greg Atwan — Mon, 14 May 2007 22:49:08 CDT

Der Spiegel vivisects Cerberus, the private equity group that won Chrysler for a relative bargain today from German auto giant Daimler. Financier Stephen Feinberg's 15-year-old firm has $60 billion in assets, and specializes in companies on the brink of bankruptcy. The group avoids the spotlight, recruits former CEOs and politicians,...

Daimler to Unload Chrysler in $7.4B Deal

Greg Atwan — Mon, 14 May 2007 07:34:04 CDT

DaimlerChrysler has sold a majority stake in the Chrysler Group to the American private-equity firm Cerberus for $7.4 billion, the auto giant announced today. The deal unhooks the money-losing American arm of the international conglomerate from its German partner, which will retain a 19.9% stake in Chrysler and...

Kerkorian Offers $4.5 Billion For Chrysler

Caroline Miller — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 16:18:16 CDT

Beverly Hills billionaire Kirk Kerkorian has offered to buy the Chrysler group for $4.5 billion. Kerkorian's investment company, Tracinda Corp., can pay cash for the ailing automotive giant, and is pitching an extra $100 mil for an exclusive two-month period to run due diligence. Tracinda told parent DaimlerChrysler it...