Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) technology has been used by some of the biggest automakers, and Mercedes Benz is the latest one adopt it, but is not boasting about it as of now, says a report from Bloomberg. Deviating from BMW’s approach in fitting its emission-free model in futuristic carbon fiber, Daimler AG’s Mercedes unit has put an electric motor and battery inside its existing van-like-B-class hatchback.
Tesla a good match for B-Class
Mercedes B class electric version is demarked by a couple of small decals and the blue trim on the mirrors and front grille. Tesla is suppying the motor and battery to Mercedes for its electric version. Daimler sold its 4% stake in Tesla for around $780 million last month, but the iconic German automaker is determined to keep the Palo Alto-based company as the supplier of batteries and motors for this EV.
Daniel Schwarz, a Frankfurt-based analyst with Commerzban told Bloomberg, “Tesla’s electric drivetrain fits well to the B-Class.” Schwarz added that the range offered by Tesla battery and motor is good and was not at all problematic for Daimler to adapt. Stefan Bratzel, director of the Center of Automotive Management at the University of Applied Sciences in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany said that the B-class electric is a low-cost and low-risk solution for Daimler.
Growing list of rivals
Tesla-style EVs are a hot trend in the automobile industry lately, and companies such as Ford and Porsche are working on their own versions. Some automakers are not very comfortable in showing their excitement over Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) technology, while some others are openly acknowledging that the success of Model S has given them inspiration to build their own electric models.
Only recently, Ford CEO Mark Fields said that the company has the required expertise and capacity to build a Tesla style full-size, high-tech, high performance, long-range electric vehicle. Porsche is also on its way to bringing an electric model known as Pajun to market. The battery of the car is expected to be as powerful as the Model S, and the driving range is expected to be somewhere around 250 miles per charge.
