Autoblog

Hyundai, now a world-class engine manufacturer, may lend engine technology to Mercedes-Benz for a future four-cylinder powerplant. It was just a few short years ago that DaimlerChrysler, Mitsubishi, and Hyundai banded together in the Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance (GEMA) to build the so-called World Engine (pictured at right). The GEMA engine, with displacements ranging from 1.8-liters up to 2.4-liters, is found under the hood of more than a handful of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Mitsubishi, and Hyundai products.

While word isn't official, Dr. Hyun-Soon Lee, President of the R&D and Corporate Product Planning and Strategy Divisions of Hyundai-Kia Motors, told Automobile Magazine that he had been approached by Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG, at the Beijing Auto Show about partnering on a four-cylinder powerplant. Dr. Lee didn't disclose the rest of the conversation, but he did add, "I am not sure we want to share our technology." With the hot Genesis Coupe and luxurious Genesis Sedan ready to roll, and distinguished Mercedes-Benz knocking on the front door, it appears Hyundai's hard work is paying off.

[Source: Automobile Magazine]

Click on the image to view high-res shots of the Mercedes F700 concept

Massive amounts of money are being spent in the alternative energy sector of the automotive industry. Last year, Daimler spent $6 billion in research and development and another $2.7 billion on environmental protection. Expect those already rather large sums to increase in the coming years. Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche says that the company will "increase these budgets even more and by 2010 we'll invest $21 billion in research and development." Daimler has invested heavily in hydrogen technology and holds twenty-five patents protecting new battery technology for automobile use. Further development will continue to cost a large chunk of change.

Of particular interest is the fact that Daimler intends "to offer at least one model in each of the Mercedes-Benz core model series that is a leader in fuel consumption," according to Zetsche. Despite looming legislation that will require more fuel efficient vehicles, Mercedes-Benz plans on continuing to offer vehicles that will meet the size, performance and luxury demands prospective buyers have come to expect from the premium German marque. Otherwise, it won't be $21 billion well spent.


[Source: The Car Connection]

Daimler is joining throngs of other automakers, including Navistar, Nissan and Volvo, to establish India as one of the largest builders of commercial trucks in the world. Its newest venture involves a partnership between Daimler AG and India's Hero Group (great name!), with Daimler investing some $420 million for a 60-percent stake in the India-based manufacturer. The venture will involve the creation of light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks in one of the world's burgeoning production centers that's still got a lot left to build, and although company officials at both corps remained mum on details, expect things to be firmed up in the first quarter of 2008.

[Source: Economic Times via Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Before the DaimlerChrysler union ended, shareholders and executives were fighting over the rightful name of the Stuttgart-based company. Management and the supervisory board want Daimler AG, but the "Benz faction" feels one of the company founder's names have been slighted in the process. Thankfully, all the bickering should come to an end today, as the Daimler AG name comes to a shareholder vote. If the measure passes, the German automaker will spend millions to update signage all over the world, and very few people will ever notice. It's not like Carl Friedrich Benz was slighted in any way; his name gets to be on the cars, and the only way we'll see the Daimler name is on a Jaguar.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Chrysler is apparently a little worried that there might be a mass exodus of executives during the transition from DaimlerChrysler "partnership of equals" to Cerberus stewardship. Because of that, they have taken the bold step of advising current employees against applying for jobs at Daimler AG or Chrysler Financial.

The Detroit News obtained an internal email written to Chrysler's senior white-collar staff by Rita C. Rinner, Chrysler's manager of global staff. In the letter she advises that "Requests to interview for positions at Chrysler Financial and other Daimler units, including Mercedes-Benz USA, 'are currently not advised'."

The e-mail went out to senior Chrysler employees, but applies to all white-collar workers and their staffs. It also went out the same day Bob Nardelli was named as the new CEO of Chrysler. Did they really think the execs would be that afraid of what Nardelli had in store? Perhaps. He does have that kind of ruthlessly efficient reputation.

[Source: The Detroit News]