Daimler and China’s Geely join forces to build next-gen Smart car

Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler and Chinese auto giant Geely announced plans Thursday to develop the next generation of electric Smart cars to be made in China in a joint venture. Under the agreement, expected to be finalised by the end of the year, the new vehicle will go on global sale in 2022, the German and Chinese car giants said in a statement. The 12-strong board of directors of the new venture will be made up of six executives from each company. The new Smart cars will be styled by the Mercedes-Benz Design network with engineering provided by Geely. Prior to the launch of the next generation, Daimler will continue to produce the current “fortwo” model of the Smart car at its plant in Hambach, northeastern France. The Smart car will then leave its historic home in France to be manufactured in China, but Daimler insists no jobs will be lost. – ‘New beginning’ – “None of our colleagues at Smart will lose their jobs as a result of these decisions,” said Daimler boss Dieter Zetsche in a statement. “On the contrary. We need the passion and creativity of the Smart team more than ever. “After all, these changes are no… Read full this story

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