My take is that Daimler can see the writing on the wall, there are big opportunities in electric vehicles (EV) in the next 10 years and the companies that own the biggest stake in that will be the ones to succeed.

Tesla has a good start in the EV market and while times are tough all over the auto industry this won’t be true in the next two or three years, so say the economists I read. So buying a 10% stake in Tesla now is money well spent in long-term investment terms. It also blocks other big automakers from beating them to it.

Daimler will now have a good strong position in low cost cars like the smart and top of the line sports cars and luxury sedans like those offered by Tesla cars of today and tomorrow. They also have the Mercedes brand to fill in any other segment from commercial trucks to sedans to super cars.

Time will tell. I’m personally looking forward to seeing more come out of this partnership. I also think it is sad that the Detroit companies are in no position to compete. It would be wonderful to see a large American presence in the future EV market too.

Who knows maybe one of them will step up to the plate and develop something better (yeah better than the Chevy Volt) and dump some of the useless cars and trucks (yeah like Hummers) in their line-up. But sadly that’s probably just wishful thinking on my part.

Daimler has announced that they will bring both Smart and Mercedes branded electric cars to the market by 2010, joining a growing number of major auto makers quickly developing all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars similar to the Fisker Karma and Tesla Roadster. GM, Ford, Toyota, Renault/Nissan, BMW, and Volkswagen have already announced their plans to target 2010 with releases of these super efficient cars. A test fleet of 100 electric Smart cars are already on the road gathering much needed research data and working out the bugs.

Also announced is the plan to join Honda, Chevrolet, and possibly Volkswagen in their advanced fuel-cell testing by 2010. But most automotive experts are now saying that electric cars and plug-in hybrids will be the technology to watch. Hydrogen fuel cells, while promising, would require a complex refuleing infrastructure. The electric power grid is already in place.

I know I sound like a broken record but holding off to buy your next new car until at least 2010 just seems like the best idea. If you need a more economical car buy a used car, save your money for a new electric car or plug-in hybrid in 2010. Read this Motor Trend article for more information. Photo credit smartUSA.com.