Daimler intend to open a new R&D centre in Tel Aviv. This will join the corporation’s global network of R&D centre in Germany, the US, India, and China. The Israeli facility will focus on car mobility and information services, in addition to the development and testing of various projects and user interface.
The new technology centre is aimed to boost the global R&D array with the help of high-tech nation Israel, said Professor Thomas Weber, head of group research at Mercedes-Benz cars development. It will deal not only with R&D directly but will pursue the development of a network of connections with Israel start up companies, incubators, innovation centers and etablished hi-tech firms.
Daimler’s move is part of a general trend in the automotive industry of opening R&D centres in Israel, or at least offices working in coöperation with local companies. GM have a large R&D centre there, which has been undergoing rapid expansion, and Renault recently opened an R&D facility in coöperation with Tel Aviv University.
