CARazed

I’m becoming more and more amazed at the stuff being posted at AutoblogGreen. For example this recent article questioning the deal between Tesla and Daimler.

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. Continue Reading »

Great news reported today, Daimler bought a 10% share in Tesla Motors and will be collaborating on the future electric cars Tesla builds. Daimler is of course the giant European auto make behind brands like Mercedes. Read the transcript from the press announcement on Auto Blog Green.

The smart has now been on the world’s roads for 10 years. Relatively new to American roads the smart is now sold in 37 countries and more than 900,000 of them are running around. In 2010 smart will roll out an electric version to be sold along side the little gasoline versions. Not much information about the final configuration, range, or recharging details but there are test cars on the road today working out the bugs. Happy birthday smart! Can’t wait to see how you grow up over the next few years. Photo credit smart USA.

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.

Actually if you stop to think just for a second how cool (in an eco-geek kind of way) it would be to own one of these things, you might just decide to reserve one right now. They’re making it easy too, $99 will reserve your place in line right now and you could be showing it off in your driveway sooner than you might think.

Yes, smart is coming to America in Q1 2008! The base price of one of these little numbers will be just under $12,000. It’s powered by a 3-cylinder, 1-liter, 70 hp, gasoline powered engine that gets 40/45 (EPA 2007) or 33/41 (EPA 2008). It comes with a 5 speed automated manual transmission, anti-lock breaks, an electronic stability program, air bags, central locking with remote, and manual windows and mirrors. Air conditioning, power steering, sunroof, alarm, heated seats, and radio, are on the options list. Performance is a bit wimpy as expected at 12.8 seconds for a 0 to 60 run and the top speed is electronically limited to 90 MPH.

For the uninitiated, smart (yes all lowercase) is a member of the Mercedes Car Group. Today there are 750,000 fortwos running around 36 different countries around the world. When the United States starts selling the smart fortwo it will be the 37th country to get smart… pun intended.

Unfortunately the car doesn’t come in green. We can’t imagine buying one of these unless it was green. If you’re going to make a statement like this wouldn’t you want to go all the way? Comments?