It is envisioned that the electric motors developed will be used in Mercedes-Benz and Smart electric vehicles from 2012. Subsequent sales to other automakers are to be handled by Bosch.
The joint venture will work out of two locations, one in Stuttgart, Germany and the other in the northern German city of Hildesheim. Financial details of the agreement weren’t disclosed, but we can see again how automakers and suppliers are forging alliances to benefit from economies of scale and reap cost synergies, especially in the field of alternative technology vehicles.
[Source: Daimler]
*Development, production, and sales of electric motors for all-electric vehicles
*Production start-up planned for 2012
*Locations in Hildesheim and Stuttgart
Stuttgart – Daimler AG and Robert Bosch GmbH plan to expand their long-standing partnership and cooperate in the development and production of electric motors for all-electric vehicles in Europe. The companies have signed a letter of intent and begun negotiations to establish a 50:50 joint venture that should be concluded in the first half of 2011.
Both companies aim, by bundling their competencies, to accelerate development advances in electric motors as well as to make accordant synergies accessible. According to their letter of intent, joint production should start in 2012. It is envisioned that the electric motors developed will be used in Mercedes-Benz and smart electric vehicles from 2012. Subsequent sales to other automakers are to be handled by Bosch. The joint activites will be located in the greater Stuttgart area and in Hildesheim.
The Bosch Group is a leading supplier of technology and services to the automotive sector. It has a high level of competence in developing and producing electric motors, which it is already manufacturing in series in Hildesheim.
The automotive manufacturer Daimler has built up 20 years of experience in the area of electric vehicles as well as their key components electric motor and battery, giving it a comprehensive understanding of how results can be best achieved in this field.
