Strategic partnership: Daimler acquires stake in Tesla

[stvlush]

Don't forget to save some blame on us stupid Americans who start screaming at the auto companies when gas gets expensive, then we run out and buy SUVs when it drops again. Short memories. I'm buying a Model S and I'm not worried about Daimler owning 10%. Tesla needs cash. Daimler is savvy and wants to have an edge on other automakers. In these uncertain times, being cozy with Tesla is smart. If EVs get popular suddenly, Daimler has a friend in the EV industry and a jump on the competition.

[3089280288]

@stvlush If Diamler wanted to make ev's, they would not need Tesla to do it. Diamler is the biggest conglomerate in the world. They make thier own parts. Surely they could make thier own e car if they wanted to.

[stvlush]

@3089280288 I'm sure Daimler could make an electric drive line but that would require allocation of resources and R&D time. Tesla has a proven platform they could buy, license or co-opt if this EV thing catches on and they want to bring an EV to market in 12 months. Development time should be pretty quick on cars with essentially one moving part especially when somebody you have a relationship with already makes that part (I realize I'm oversimplifying but you get the point.)

[3089280288]

@stvlush Read Shimstock1's comments.

[jabo109k]

I just hope this doesn't slow Tesla down. Mercedes Benz knows how to find fancy names for things, but as many other large companies they lack innnovative thinking and they have no ideas. Now they are trying to buy them instead...

[Shimstock1]

What the Germans want to do is make sure Tesla doesn't capture / encroach on their core client base in future. Who wants to drive a gas guzzling Benz, when you have a sleaker, faster, all electric Roadster or Model S? The US tax payer is now indirectly supporting Diamler ability to make sure same technology will be incorporated in new Benz models not even built in US. Diamler will then get German govt funds to improve technology they appropriate from the US. -Like stealing candy from a baby.

[bagheera32]

It very common for car manufacturers to have stakes in each others companies. Tesla is promising but still has an insignificant market share compared to the total car market. A company like Daimler might boost this. I think it's positive car makers have gotten a wake up call and turn to efficient and eco friendly cars. Tesla is showing you can make a profit and there is demand ! Others should follow suit instead of playing victim...

[Shimstock1]

Correct. It's very common. In this case, Diamler's action is clear. (acquiring only 10% of Tesla) That has a lot to do with Elon Musk only allowing that much ownership, but also minimizes Diamler risk. Nevertheless, objective is achieved. As an established player, what you want is a 'seat at the table' with the promising upstart. No more is needed. Diamler has achieved that and they started process about 18 months ago, while US and other Mfg's slept on it, to their ultimate detriment.

[bagheera32]

You're right; but I believe in the strenght of the US to bounce back; it's not in the interest of the world that US economy fails. Will take a while with hard times ahead but you'll make it. (That having said; watch out for the Chinese; just back from a trip and those are the ones to watch more so than us Europeans !)

[Shimstock1]

Diamler buying a seat at the Tesla table is very smart move. They can assure to continue to leverage the US technology which, when the US Govt supporting loans to Tesla is factored, means that the US tax payer is funding ability for a German manufacturer to gain edge over Global competitors (incl. US based ones), all the while Diamler reduces threat from new upstarts (which is the future trend). Diamler is in a win/win. German Auto Worker 1, US Taxpayer 0. -Congratulations.

[Murf077]

well.. now this car be put on hold and out oft the reach of all avrage people

[wawiebeastman]

no wonder why Mercedes has the best KERS system in F1!!!!

[battleaxe68]

Great Just what I needed to see a great company start to get bought out by a bigger oil guzzling car bigwig...wait..JUST WAIT. see what they do to get even more in with them and to eventually takle them over and ruin the company so we go back to only partial hybrid rather than full electric.

[8redwhiteshark]

GM is always playing catch up.....

CEO at GM is just busy lining the own pockets and too short sight on the future of the company....

[Surveillanceagent197]

GM and Chrysler should of been allowed to fail. Look at what's happened. Billions in taxpayer money to bail them out and they are now in bankruptcy protection.

Companies like Tesla, and even Phoenix motorcars are the future of the American car industry. Ford shows some promise, but I think it's too little too late.

[Martialsmash]

not just America. Tesla, along with other revolutionary car companies, will inspire the world. If electric cars become affordable, I'd buy them from Canada :D.

[ptireland]

GM got what it deserved. They were 10+ years ahead of everyone in electric cars, and this is what they get for killing the project. They could have been way ahead of Tesla if they hadn't killed the EV1

[NeverEnoughTools]

The smart car looks like a little gaymobile next to the roadster.

[kuhkoowee]

@neverenoughtools HOMOPHOBE you little don't ask don't tell bitch

[stockjonebills]

Instead of trying to bailout and then take %5o ownership of companies like GM, the government should just let GM take its fall and support innovative new companies like Tesla.

[erikkison]

Tesla was not named after NIKOLA TESLA. Tesla stands for True electric sports luxury automobile. I hope electric cars succeed

[NeverEnoughTools]

wow, what a coincidence it just so happened to spell TESLA! lol :)

[goma3]

yeah and is based in the Tesla's electric induction motor

[tnguyen318]

This should be great.

[Nichen]

As long as Tesla is selling electric cars I'm glad about this. But this must NOT BE the beginning of a sell out

[chick5581]

Really good video! I never get bored watching theze kinds of videos. These are the videos that keep me entertained and not bored!!!

[CosmoZorzi]

al gore should buy me one

[Vinseneb]

The Smart project though! Sick.

[ChaosmanOne]

You people all realize that this is a Tesla SELL OUT right!? Now DaimlerChrysler will be able to force their hand and retard Tesla's advances in electric drive automobiles. It's sickening.

[Crazyneutron]

Most of intelligent people assume that, but we will see what is going to happen. Chiefs of Tesla-Motors would carry the blame if Daimler destroys Tesla-Motors.

I am sad because i dreamed that electric cars would help Nature to recover.

This may be a treason but we will see!

I hope that old genius NIKOLA TESLA dont tumble in the grave after this!

[ekuwa69]

Don't worry they can't force their hand on Tesla. They only own 10% of the company. Tesla will basically use them for production purposes and Daimler will get some money from it.

[ChaosmanOne]

Don't worry, they will use their considerable weight and corporate power to influence and manipulate Tesla to a goal suitable to Daimler's desires. They own a part of the company which will allow them to systematically coerce Tesla into producing (or not producing) according to Daimler's purposes.

Don't be naive please, there is a corporate war happening within the automotive industry and Tesla is not strong enough to win.

[ratryu]

I hope Tesla doesn't get controlled by daimler.

[ervickviola]

I hope Tesla doesn't get controlled by senators and congressmen.  We would be driving something like a Trubunt, Lada or that piece of crap "Smart" car instead.

[buressi]

@ChaosmanOne

don't make chaos-

you are not up to date. DaimlerChrysler doesn't exist. Only Daimler AG.

Tesla sell out 10 % at his own request.

Where are GM, Ford and Chrysler? Where are the American Companys??

[silvestragon]

I hope I can calmly concur - this is a German company, OK? Germany is one of the biggest fans of everything green. I can very well imagine - and want so much of course - that they are serious about this. They will surely get some governmental "kudos" and their homeland public image will grow SO much. After all, the Smart they bought 10 yrs ago is also an eco-friendly project just from its start. I wish, I wish, I wish...

[Guanuma]

go tesla go!!!! i feel sooo good about this news.... please make this electric dream possible!

[PachoHybskyZbojnik1]

I hope Daimler will not destroy you as they did with Chrysler.

[buressi]

@Pacho

Daimler didn't destroy Chrysler. Chrysler was a little bit ramshackle a long time before. Daimler invested a lot of money and lost a lot of money; also Daimlers market value goes down and also their image at last. The American car industry lays down, it's their own actual fault and not the guiltiness of the Germans. Maybe your newspapers in your countries told you this story, I think.

[Gustonegro]

and BMW didnt destroy Rover either though they managed to siphon off the 4 wheel drive technology before they spit it out and launched their own SUVs. And they keep the Mini brand...

Hmmm.

[ratryu]

Since the Model S has the battery swap option, do they plan on using the Better Place method of charging for certain miles a month or pay per mile?

[introvoystv]

congrats tesla! we support you!

[ragingasian]

Tesla is a good car, faster than a Lotus Elise, its sad that Top Gear got a bad batch of cars but I would consider buying the Tesla. Daimler has some quality issues they need to work out and prolonging the range of the batteries. If Subaru bought Tesla, FUCK I would be all over the Tesla.

[ChipTheDale]

I've been following the rise of this company for several years, and now I'm really glad to see it as a solid future automotive power :)

great work you guys at tesla!

[damiansutube]

I was very glad to hear about the partnership, to cement the continued future success of Tesla Motors! I can't wait until the time I may have a Tesla electric automobile of my own. :P

Kudos Tesla.

[kostea13]

Tesal is the real DEAL! EV ARE HERE !

[Intransitman]

EV's once made up 25% of the cars on the road in the US, EV's are on a come back & all the power to them!