Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Manufacturing/Plants, Mercedes Benz
After at least two years of trying to determine what it was going to do about its next-generation Mercedes-Benz A and B-class compacts, Daimler has announced that it will commit €600 million to update and expand the factory that builds them. We still don't know what platform Mercedes will use for the new small cars, but they will start production at the Rastatt factory in late 2011. Part of the updates to the factory will include a 710,000 square foot body shop to produces the shells of the new models. Mercedes has already started construction of a stamping facility in nearby Kuppenheim to produce the panels that will be welded at the Rastatt body shop.
The next-generation compacts will also add two new body configurations in addition to the current hatchback body styles. No information has been provided but the most likely candidates are some sort of taller wagon/MPV to compete against the likes of the VW Touran or Ford C-Max or a sedan which could mean the introduction of the small cars to the U.S. market.
Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche also announced that low-volume production of a battery electric A-Class E-Cell will start in late 2010. We contacted Tesla spokeswoman Rachel Konrad to see if they will be supplying batteries or other components for the A-Class BEV as they are for the smaller Smart ED but she declined to comment on the matter. Given Daimler's investment in Tesla, it would certainly make sense to the have the California company provide those systems. If so, that could help Tesla keep revenues flowing (Roadster sales have apparently slowed) until the Model S comes on stream.
[Source: Daimler]
Continue reading Daimler launches €600 million small car investment, A-Class BEV in 2010
Daimler launches €600 million small car investment, A-Class BEV in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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