• vane@lemmy.world
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    4 days ago

    European auto-makers founded those companies with their billions. Now they will be eaten by them.

    In 2010, BYD Auto Industry Co., Ltd. and Daimler AG, now known as Mercedes-Benz Group AG, formed a 50-50 joint venture named Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology with a brand named Denza to focus on research and development of new energy vehicles. The brand showcased a concept car called the Denza EV at Auto China in April 2012.[54] Denza was later restructured in 2021, when BYD took control of the brand by taking a 90% stake in the venture.[53] Mercedes-Benz withdrew entirely from the joint venture in September 2024.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BYD_Auto

    This is only one example from Wikipedia but there are plenty old articles how BMW, Volkswagen, Mercedes and other European automakers were pouring billions into China and giving away R&D for free.

    • Patch@feddit.uk
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      4 days ago

      Having thoroughly learnt their lesson, Mercedes now partners with Geely Autos instead, under the Smart marque. Although I think at this point the flow of knowledge and R&D might be the other way around.