Daimler to trial electric mini-car in 2010

Daimler AG (DAI) plans to start a pilot program for an electric version of its Smart mini car in China in 2010, joining a growing list of firms evaluating the potential for next-generation clean-energy vehicles in the world’s biggest automobile market. Daimler is currently considering which cities to test the cars, Ulrich Walker, chairman of Daimler Northeast Asia, said. The move follows an announcement by the Chinese government that it will subsidize private purchases of alternative-energy vehicles in five cities. (December 14, 2009)