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Geely wants to be a tech-sharing 'friend' of Daimler in $9B bet

Chinese carmaker Geely has built up an almost 10-percent stake in Daimler in a $9 billion bet by its chairman that he can access the Mercedes-Benz owner's technology in the growing battle for the future of automotives. The purchase by Li Shufu, Geely's founder and main owner, means China's largest privately-owned automaker is now the biggest shareholder in Germany's Daimler. Geely said on Saturday there were no plans "for the time being" to raise the stake further. Instead, it will seek to forge an alliance with Daimler, which is developing electric and self-driving vehicles, to respond to the challenge from new competitors such as Tesla, Google and Uber. "No current car industry player is likely to win this battle against the invaders from outside without friends. To achieve and assert technological leadership, one has to adapt a new way of thinking in terms of sharing and combining strength. My investment in Daimler reflects this vision," Li said. "Daimler is pleased to announce that with Li Shufu it could win another long-term orientated shareholder, which is convinced by Daimler's innovation strength, strategy and future potential," the German company said in a statement. Geely officials plan to travel to Stuttgart to meet Daimler executives early next week and also hope to meet top German government officials in Berlin, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The Chinese firm plans to use the meetings to underline that it intends to be a supportive long-term investor, they said. Daimler had no immediate comment on any meetings. Geely and the German economy ministry declined to comment. Chinese investors in German technology companies have tended to take a consensual approach, buying incremental stakes in companies such as robotics firms Kuka and Kion, typically after long consultation with management and other stakeholders. In November, Geely asked Daimler to issue new shares so it could buy a stake, as a way to access Mercedes-Benz technology for electric cars and trucks, including battery technology, to help Geely comply with a Chinese crackdown on pollution. But the German company turned down the offer saying it did not want to dilute existing shareholders, sources at the time told Reuters. Li changed tactics, and quietly amassed a stake of 9.69 percent worth $9 billion at Daimler's current share price.

Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe launches with DTM-styled Edition 1 [w/video]

It's not as flashy or fantastical as the concept cars, big luxury cars, and exotics being shown here at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, but the Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe still gets us really excited. That's because it's a semi-attainable production car; like, we'll actually get to drive it, and soon. The C63 Coupe builds upon the gorgeous, two-door C-Class that also made its debut at the Frankfurt show. It's powered by the same twin-turbocharged, 4.0-liter V8 as the C63 sedan, producing either 469 or 503 horsepower, depending on the model. If the sedan's driving dynamics are anything to go on, the C63 Coupe ought to be a total riot. For the occasion of its premiere, Mercedes brought the C63 Edition 1 to Frankfurt, wearing a unique paint job that mimics the look of the automaker's recently unveiled DTM racer. The Edition 1 rolls on unique wheels – measuring 19 inches in front and 20 inches out back – and comes with unique aerodynamic enhancements, more gloss and chrome trim, and racing buckets inside. Edition 1 or not, the C63 Coupe is a car we're very happy to welcome to the world. We can't wait to test one.

Mercedes-AMG teases C63 Coupe again, this time on video

The present Mercedes-Benz C-Class has gone mature in the best way. The C63 AMG, however, is a gentleman villain, and it appears that the C63 AMG Coupe could go full rogue. Earlier this month Mercedes teased the two-door and a dash of its aural violence, but only gave us pictures to look at. The second teaser puts bits of the car on camera, accompanied by more of its tamer sound effects. The C63 AMG Coupe will almost certainly be seen in glossy photos beforehand, but we expect to meet the noble barbarian at the Frankfurt Motor Show with a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 underhood. In the C63 S sedan that engine works up 503 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, numbers that should be the same here. It will be joined by its other, less fire-breathing coupe siblings on the show stand. And since this second teaser is so brief, we've included a longer vid captured at the 'Ring in which the coming AMG tries to keep its tail under control. You'll find that below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.