30 Mar 17
News

Daimler ups the electric ante

2022 instead of 2025: that’s the year by which Daimler wants to have minimum 10 electric models on the market, accelerating the development and roll-out of its EQ sub brand. The first model to be introduced is a GLC-sized SUV, which customers can expect in showrooms around the world in 2019.

This electric acceleration illustrates the pressure the automotive group is subjected to in trying to meet the 95 g/km CO2 target imposed by the EU by 2021. Any carmaker fails to do so, faces hefty fines. Making the situation even more difficult is the fact that European customers are turning their back to diesel cars in the wake of Volkswagen’s NOx scandal: indeed, petrol cars emit more carbon dioxide than diesels.

“Daimler’s success is based on the strategic changes that were initiated several years ago and which have been systematically implemented since then,” stated Manfred Bischoff, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Daimler AG. “But further fundamental changes will be required also for Daimler to remain successful. With a far-reaching transformation we want to shape the profound transformation of the automotive industry, which is primarily being driven by digitization, from the forefront.”

Picture copyright: Daimler, 2017

Authored by: Dieter Quartier