Daimler and BYD Join Forces, Create a New Brand with Electric Cars for China

Chinese automaker BYD (Build Your Dreams) and Mercedes-Benz's parent company Daimler AG have set up a new joint venture called "Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co. Ltd," to develop electric vehicles for China.

The two companies said that they are planning to invest a total of 600 million yuan (US$87.9 million) in the 50-50 partnership in China.

According to a statement made by Daimler, the German automaker will bring its "know-how in electric vehicle architecture and safety" to the venture, while BYD will contribute "it's excellence in battery technology and e-drive systems".

The new electric vehicle(s) will be marketed under a new brand jointly created and owned by Daimler and BYD.

BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu and Daimler Chairman Dieter Zetsche signed the joint venture contract today in Beijing, however, like everything else in China, the business license for the new joint venture is still subject to relevant government approval.

Mr. Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President of BYD Company Limited: "Together with Daimler we are making excellent progress identifying opportunities to utilize the strengths of both companies to create a new brand of electric cars for China. This is a unique and exciting initiative and together we are pushing hard to bring this new electric vehicle to market as soon as possible."

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG: "Our new joint venture is well positioned to make the most of the vast potential of electric mobility in China. We are fortunate to have excellent joint venture partners in China and the establishment of this research and technology center with BYD adds another dimension to our growing presence in this important market."

*BYD Model Featured in These Photos is the F8 Coupe-Convertible and Not the Dedicated Electric Car Being Prepared by Daimler and the Chinese Automaker

UK Debut for All-Electric Fiat 500 Atomik at Salon Privé

The annual Salon Privé, a luxury supercar event and Concours d'Elégance that takes place this year in London from 21-23 July, will be hosting the UK debut of the all-electric Atomik 500.

Created by Paris-based maker, Atomik Cars, the Fiat-500 based model gets two electric motors, one up front producing 80kW and 840Nm (619 lb-ft), and one at the rear that makes the same power but a whopping 1,710 Nm (1,261 lb-ft) of peak torque.

Combined, the two electric motors punch out 160 kW (215 hp) and an unadjusted 2,550 Nm (1,880 lb-ft) of torque split 33/67 front to rear.

The company says that the 1,400kg 500 EV can hit 100km/h (62mph) from rest in less than 5 seconds, complete the 0-1,000 meter sprint in 26 seconds and achieve a top speed of around 200 km/h (electric cutoff is at 180 km/h), while providing a range of 200 km (124 miles).

Electric Throwback: The Meguru Bamboo Trike

Found on Japan Trends, this is the brainchild of Kinki Knives Industry Corp. and the Yodogawa Group. Called the Meguru, it's a little electric trike with an iron body painted in a retro shade of lacquer.

That's appropriate, considering its target market: scenic, traditional towns and cities. It's like a little city runabout you'd see in an early Bond movie. It even has bamboo floors and those awesome fan doors.

After a two hour charge the little buggy will cover 40 km, with a claimed top speed of 40 km/h. If marketed correctly, this could really take off. Really, who wouldn't want to take a touristy ride around Kamakura or Kyoto in this?

If any city tourism officials decide to invest in these, they won't have to wait long. The Meguru is street legal, so it's ready to go.

By Phil Alex

Via: Japantrends

Pininfarina Shows All-Electric Nido Mini

Marking the celebrations of the its 80th anniversary, Pininfarina unveiled a new all-electric mini-car prototype called the Nido EV. It is an evolution of the original Nido concept that Pininfarina showed in 2004.

According to the Italian design house, the Nido EV is a "veritable laboratory designed both to explore the electrification of a small city car and to develop a modular floorpan."

The 2,905mm-long two seater prototype uses a tubular steel frame, but the final version will have a lighter aluminium space frame. Pininfarina claims that the structure was designed to be able spawn up to four different, completely electric or hybrid vehicles including two-seater, 2+2, pickup and van models.

This particular version of the Nido uses a rear-mounted electric engine producing 30kW to drive the rear wheels. Power is stored in a Zebra Z5 Ni-NaCl battery. When fully charged, it offers the Nido EV a driving range of 140 km or 87 miles.

Pininfarina says that the Nido EV can accelerates from 0 to 60 km/h (37mph) in 6.7 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 120 km/h (75mph).

There are no current plans to put the Nido into production.

NIDO EV SPEC SHEET

Roominess ----------------------------------2-seater City Car

Electrical drive------------------------------Rear

Measurements (Length/Width/Height)--- 2905/1683/1507 mm

0-60 km/h acceleration-------------------- 6.7 sec

Top speed (limited electronically) -------- 120 km/h

Range fully charged ------------------------140 Km

Weight empty (ready for road) -----------~900 kg

Engine----------------------------------------Synchronous with permanent magnetos

Maximum power output-------------------- 30 kW

Maximum torque to wheels---------------- 125 Nm

Drive battery-------------------------------- ZEBRA Z5 (Ni-NaCl)

Rated voltage--------------------------------278 V

Rated capacity------------------------------ 21.2 kWh

Charge time--------------------------------- 8 hours

Tesla Partners Up with Toyota to Develop EVs, Acquires NUMMI Plant

Tesla recently finalized its purchase of the advanced (and apparently extremely clean) NUMMI production facility in order to build its upcoming Model S sedan. Tesla hopes to build as many as 20,000 units per year in the southern California facility that's capable of building one million units annually.

Other than some potential spin-offs using the Model S platform (like an electric GT), there's a lot of capacity. That's where Toyota steps in. Toyota and Tesla will be working together to develop electric vehicles. their parts, and the engineering behind them.

The new facility will hire up to 1,000 new employees initially from one of the brightest pools around: Silicon Valley.

After Toyota bought $50 million of Tesla common stock, Akio Toyoda explained some of the rationale behind the decision:

"Through this partnership...Toyota would like to learn from the challenging spirit, quick decision-making, and flexibility that Tesla has. Decades ago, Toyota was also born as a venture business. By partnering with Tesla, my hope is that all Toyota employees will recall that 'venture business spirit."

Stay tuned, because these two companies working together could create something really special.

By Phil Alex