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, which is likely to be concluded in the first half of 2011.
In pooling their competencies, the two companies aim to accelerate development advances in electric machines as well as to benefit from synergies. 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 vehicle manufacturers are to be handled by Bosch. The joint activities are planned to be located in the greater Stuttgart area and in Hildesheim, Northern Germany.
