Daimler taking 'auto-mobility' to next level (live blog)
In his CES keynote, Daimler Chairman Dieter Zetsche talked about the next generation of smart, connected cars, car-sharing, and electric vehicles.
'Some colleagues still think that car-sharing borders on communism,' Dieter Zetsche said with a large picture of Che Guevara towering over him. 'But if that's the case, viva la revolucion!'
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)LAS VEGAS--Dieter Zetsche, Daimler chairman and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, took the stage here at CES this morning to talk about the interplay between automotive innovation and the digital realm.
He focused on the next generation of smart, connected cars, including those coming from Mercedes.
"Some might consider the car a mere accessory of consumer electronics. Some consider consumer electronics a mere accessory to the car," Zetsche said. "Both perspectives miss the mark. A smart vehicle can be so much more than a mode of transportation. A car is a personal declaration of independence."
He also talked up electric vehicles, ride-sharing, and GPS and software advances to better learn about traffic congestion and hazards.
"We're going from automobiles to auto-mobility. In large part, that mobility will be fueled by software," Zetsche said.
He closed with a new "declaration of automotive independence: the best days... are yet to come," he said, touting "life, liberty and the pursuit of mobility."
You can replay the live blog in the ScribbleLive module below. Or stay tuned for a summary post.
Editors' note: The original, barebones version of this story was posted January 9 at 10:19 p.m. PT.
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