Daimler
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Daimler begins manufacturing Freightliner eM2 electric trucks
Daimler has started manufacturing its freightliner eM2 electric trucks in Portland, Oregon.
Mercedes' latest EVs include a G-Class concept and the EQE sedan
Mercedes has unveiled a slew of new electric vehicles, including a G-Class concept (the EQG) and a production take on the E-Class (EQE).
EU fines BMW and VW $1 billion for limiting emissions reduction tech
The EU has fined BMW and VW a total of $1 billion for allegedly refusing to compete on diesel emissions-reducing technology and limiting its use.
Daimler and Volvo team up to make fuel cells for trucks and generators
Daimler and Volvo are forming a joint venture to create hydrogen fuel cells for heavy-duty trucks and even power generators.
Waymo and Daimler team up to develop self-driving trucks
Waymo and Daimler are partnering to develop self-driving trucks destined for the US.
Daimler settles its emissions scandal lawsuit for nearly $3 billion
Daimler will pay approximately $1.5 billion to settle with US regulators.
BMW and Mercedes call it quits on their self-driving car partnership
Less than a year after their initial announcement, BMW and Mercedes are ending what was supposed to be a long-term partnership to develop autonomous vehicles.
Car2go will shut down in North America by February 29th, 2020
Car sharing in the US is about to take another hit. Share Now is shutting down its Car2go service in North America by February 29th, 2020, with "fewer vehicles available" as that date approaches. The company was blunt about the reasoning in a statement: it didn't feel it was in a position to make the "level of investment necessary" to succeed in North America. High costs and the "volatile state" of mobility services worldwide were key problems, Share Now said.
Daimler is bringing electric school buses to Virginia
The state of Virginia has taken a big step toward greener school transportation by ordering 50 of Daimler's Thomas Built electric buses, Daimler announced. The Saf-T-Liner C2 Jouley models with 134 miles of range will go into service in the first phase of a plan to replace over 1,000 diesel models. The e-buses have an upfront cost that's about $120,000 higher than diesel models, but Virginia power company Dominion is reportedly paying the difference and setting up charging stations for select schools.
Mercedes delays the US launch of its all-electric SUV until 2021
Mercedes' EQC all-electric SUV was initially scheduled to arrive in the US in early 2020. If you were hoping to buy the vehicle stateside, you'll have to wait a little longer. Mercedes has rescheduled the launch date to 2021.
Mercedes and Bosch commence self-driving trials in San Jose
Do you know the way to San Jose? It doesn't matter if you're in a self-driving car. As they previewed earlier this year, Bosch and Mercedes-Benz have commenced trials for an automated ride-hailing service in the Silicon Valley city of San Jose. To start with, autonomous S-Class Mercedes-Benz vehicles (with safety drivers at the wheel) will shuttle "a select group of users" between North San Jose and downtown.
Volocopter's massive utility drone can carry up to 440 pounds
While Volocopter's been busy working on its air taxis, it's also preparing to enter the utility drone market using a similar design. Much like the company's experimental 2X and upcoming VoloCity, the aptly-named VoloDrone announced today is yet another 18-rotor electric aircraft, which can be remote-controlled or set to a pre-planned route in autonomous mode. But instead of carrying passengers, the VoloDrone is designed to fit various types of cargo and equipment under its belly -- be it a box, an agricultural sprayer, a sling or disaster relief tools.
Daimler faces $960 million fine in Germany over emissions cheating
It's not just Volkswagen facing legal consequences for diesel car emissions. German prosecutors have fined Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler €870 million (about $960 million) over allegations it sold at least 684,000 cars equipped to cheat on emissions. The company said it wouldn't contest the fine, although it continued to object to the penalty -- it just wanted to end the legal action in a "timely and comprehensive manner."
Mercedes' latest high-tech concept car is a throwback to 1901
Many of Mercedes' concept cars are focused squarely on the future, but its newest example goes back in time even as it aims to go forward. The automaker has unveiled a Vision Mercedes Simplex concept car that hearkens back to the 1901 Mercedes 35 PS, billed as the "first modern car," while relying heavily on modern technology. The absence of a gas engine (the powerplant is described only as an "alternative drive") is really the least surprising thing here -- it's the cabin and nose that are the real standouts.
Daimler starts testing self-driving trucks on public roads
Daimler's plan for self-driving big rigs just came one step closer to fruition. The automaker has started testing trucks with Level 4 autonomy (that is, fully self-driving in specific situations) on public roads in southwest Virginia, near the home of recently acquired autonomous tech developer Torc Robotics. They won't be strictly driverless -- a specially trained safety driver will be ready to take over in a pinch, and an engineer will watch over the system. Still, it's an important step that should help Daimler compete with Volvo and others inching toward real-world uses for self-driving trucks.
Smart is the first car brand to switch to an all-EV lineup
Smart has touted electric models in its lineup for years, but they've usually been secondary to the gas and diesel models. Now, however, the EVs have the spotlight to themselves. The Daimler badge has revealed the EQ Fortwo and EQ Forfour, both of which are not only designed from scratch as electric cars, but represent Smart's only vehicles. That makes Smart the first automaker to switch from gas engines to an all-electric roster, Daimler claimed. It's really more like the first brand to make the switch (let us know when Mercedes goes all-EV), but it's still a noteworthy change.
Daimler's first large electric semi trucks are ready to roll
Daimler has spent ages talking about electrifying its trucks, and now it's ready to deliver in a very literal way. The automaker has completed the first two units of its heavy-duty Freightliner eCascadia semis destined for customers. They're not final production models -- they're still part of Freightliner's testing-oriented Innovation Fleet -- but they should see real-world use by Penske and NFI later in August. More deliveries are due in 2019.
Daimler and Bosch inch closer to fully automated, self-driving valet service
Daimler has plans for self-driving trucks, autonomous taxis and cars that drive themselves on the autobahn. Now, it's moving forward with its vision to bring fully automated, driverless parking to the Mercedes-Benz Museum parking garage in Stuttgart, Germany. The system, a joint effort with Bosch, will allow visitors to park their autonomous vehicles with a few taps of an app.
Daimler forced to recall more Mercedes cars in emissions cheat probe
Things are getting worse for German auto manufacturer Daimler after local newspaper Bild reported that the company is recalling a further 60,000 Mercedes cars.
Daimler has a plan to get autonomous trucks ready for the road
Daimler Trucks is creating a global organization focused on putting automated trucks on the road over the next decade. The Autonomous Technology Group will be in charge of building an automated roadmap for the trucks, as well as setting up the appropriate operations infrastructure and network. The new initiative comes right after Daimler announced a $570 million investment into automated trucks at CES in Las Vegas back in January.
