THE CONCEPT EQT – PIONEER OF A NEW CLASS FOR FAMILIES AND LEISURE ACTIVE PRIVATE CUSTOMERS
>> Digital premiere on Mercedes me media with skateboarding legend Tony Hawk
Stuttgart. Mercedes-Benz Vans is unveiling the new Concept EQT in an extensive Media Special on the Mercedes me media platform on Monday, 10 May 2021 at 11.00 a.m. (CEST). This concept vehicle is the forerunner to the new T-Class in the small-van segment. In keeping with the "Electric first" strategy, the battery-electric version is first out of the starting blocks in the concept vehicle. A video clip featuring legendary professional skateboarder Tony Hawk, which will go online on several social media channels simultaneously, provides surprising insights into the forthcoming family and leisure vehicle. Furthermore, Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler Group, and Marcus Breitschwerdt, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, will be presenting the highlights of the Concept EQT – with a look ahead to the electric future in the small-van segment. The digital Media Special and numerous other downloadable press materials will be available at https://media.mercedes-benz.com/concepteqt
The near-production Concept EQT offers a clear glimpse of the electric version of the forthcoming T-Class. With the completely newly developed city van, Mercedes-Benz Vans is transferring the winning formula of the V-Class people carrier to a compact format and bringing a new level of quality to the small-van segment. The Concept EQT combines a spacious and variable interior with attractive design and Mercedes’ hallmark high standards of comfort, connectivity, value and safety.
Emotion and intelligence are the key elements of the Mercedes-Benz Design philosophy “Sensual Purity”. Using this bipolarity, the Concept EQT creates a new holistic design in the small van segment. With this first premium small van, Mercedes-Benz Vans is expanding its portfolio for private customers, offering an attractive entry-level model that will allow families and leisure active private customers to step into the Mercedes-Benz world.
BMW GROUP AND DAIMLER MOBILITY JOIN FORCES WITH BP AS A PARTNER FOR DIGITAL CHARGING SOLUTIONS GMBH
London/Munich/Stuttgart. bp agreed to join BMW Group and Daimler Mobility AG in their drive to extend and significantly improve electrification, making electric vehicle charging more convenient, simpler and seamless for drivers.
Under their agreement, bp will become a 33.3% partner alongside BMW Group and Daimler Mobility AG in Digital Charging Solutions GmbH (DCS), one of Europe’s leading developers of digital charging solutions for automotive manufacturers and vehicle fleet operators. bp’s acquisition of the stake in DCS will be subject to regulatory approval. The terms of the transaction are not being disclosed.
DCS’s services are important for the electrification strategies of the automotive industry. The company works with OEMs to integrate its charging solutions into vehicle operating systems. The BMW Group and Daimler Mobility AG operate mobility services under the umbrella of the YOUR NOW Joint Ventures. Digital Charging Solutions GmbH stands behind the CHARGE NOW brand and operates charging services such as “Mercedes me Charge”, “BMW Charging” and “MINI Charging”. DCS already offers access to 228,000 charging points in 32 countries giving OEMs, fleet customers and EV drivers extensive access to charging infrastructure across Europe.
This collaboration allows additional access to a growing network of chargers across Europe
As part of the agreement, bp’s European charging networks will be integrated into the DCS’s network as well as fuel and charge for fleet customers, as a first step. Electrification is at the heart of bp‘s convenience and mobility strategy and the company aims to grow its network of public EV charging points by 2030 to over 70,000 worldwide. They currently have around 8,700 charging points in Europe and it’s UK network bp pulse is already the most used EV charging network in the UK1. The company is also rapidly growing its network of ultra-fast chargers and plans to have around 250 ultra-fast chargers operating at bp retail sites in the UK and 500 ultra-fast charging points across its retail sites in Germany by year end. DCS customers will gain access to these additional charging points and bp will gain access to a wider customer base.
“Together with the BMW Group, we are consistently driving forward the transition to electric mobility. With bp, we are gaining a strategic partner who will help us to further strengthen the customer offering of DCS. bp's large network of retail sites offers ideal conditions for the expansion of charging infrastructure – precisely where customers of electric vehicles need and expect them. We also see great potential in combining tank and charging solutions for the growing customer group of plug-in hybrids. bp's commitment will help DCS accelerate the implementation of its ambitious plans,” says Stephan Unger, Chief Financial Officer of Daimler Mobility AG, responsible for Finance and Controlling, Risk Management and Digital Mobility Solutions.
“Our cooperation with bp opens up completely new possibilities for expanding our product portfolio making charging even more comfortable for our customers. We know that combined charging and fueling offers are pivotal for our fleet customers. We look forward to adding bp’s retail sites to our network and being able to jointly create innovative integrated services,” adds Jörg Reimann, CEO of Digital Charging Solutions GmbH.
This collaboration will help to get more EVs on the roads and, ultimately, help us move towards more sustainable mobility.
100 YEARS ON – WHY MERCEDES-MAYBACH IS THE PINNACLE OF LUXURY AND CREATIVE EMPOWERMENT
“To present the best of the best”: that was the ambition voiced by Karl Maybach and his father Wilhelm when they debuted the Maybach 22/70 HP W 3 a century ago – planting the seed for Mercedes-Maybach to become one of the most unique and exclusive automotive brands today.
The philosophy expressed at Berlin’s motor exhibition that day has remained at the core of the brand ever since. Over the decades, as royalty, world leaders, movie stars and sports champions have travelled in Mercedes-Maybach vehicles, the double M emblem has come to signify the pinnacle of technical innovation and sophisticated luxury. It is a seal of passion and creative empowerment. Maybach’s words today represent not just the “best” products but the “best” in society.
From the moment the W 3 – Maybach Motorenbau GmbH’s first serial production model – was unveiled in September 1921, a legend had been born. From the four-wheel brakes (the first German car to have such a function) and planetary gearbox complete with six-cylinder engine (enabling all speeds to be managed with a single gear) to the sumptuous wood and leather interiors, the design was boundary breaking. The car - resembling a work of art on wheels - delighted the public. However, steadfast longevity requires constant evolution.
Daimler acquired Maybach Motorenbau GmbH in 1961 and, in 2002, ushered in a new era with the Maybach 62. Coinciding with its centenary, Mercedes-Maybach has unveiled two new models: the S-Class, which represents automotive luxury now more than ever thanks to numerous digital innovations and technical finesse, and the GLS SUV – setting the highest standards of modernisation in the SUV division. Nothing is left unconsidered in the design of each vehicle, and Mercedes-Maybach is deep in the process of cultivating their next remarkable and unique experience with its first fully electric vehicle – details of which will be revealed in the coming months.
“Mercedes-Maybach is the pinnacle of automotive excellence at Mercedes-Benz” says Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes Benz AG responsible for Marketing and Sales. “As we celebrate 100 years of Maybach’s unique heritage at the forefront of luxury experience, we remain passionate about driving the brand forward to set the highest standards in style, comfort and outstanding craftsmanship. Maybach customers are looking for something special and our aspiration is to surpass those expectations. By combining our exclusive customer care programme, with the perfection and state-of-the-art technology of Mercedes-Benz and the exclusivity of Maybach, we invite our customer to a one-of-a-kind sophisticated luxury experience.”
Luxury though, isn’t always tangible. Mercedes-Maybach is innately creative and continuously engaging in topical cultural conversations that will ultimately drive its creativity forward. The 100-year anniversary of the first Maybach automobile in 2021 will see multiple initiatives that celebrate this spirit come to life.
Mercedes-Maybach is leading from the front as Mercedes-Benz drives forward a new strategic course to build on its successes in the high-end vehicle segment, electric drive and car software.
