(Hangzhou / Stuttgart) Geely Group, a company owned by Eric Li and managed by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, has acquired a 9.7 percent stake of Daimler AG, Stuttgart through open market purchases of shares. The company made regulatory disclosures after the close of markets yesterday.
“Daimler is an outstanding company with a first-class management. It will be an honor to support this unique team under the leadership of Dieter Zetsche in the future,” said Eric Li, chairman and owner of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. “I am particularly pleased to accompany Daimler on its way to becoming the world’s leading electro-mobility provider.”
The share purchase makes Eric Li currently the single largest shareholder of Daimler AG and points to a long-term commitment. For the time being neither Geely Group nor any other company in the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group intend to acquire additional shares. Eric Li said he will fully abide by the company charter and governance structure of Daimler AG and respect its values and culture.
With revenue exceeding RMB 270 billion (USD 42.7 billion) in 2017, the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group is China’s largest privately owned automotive manufacturing company and one of the world’s leading providers of electro-mobility. Major assets of the group include leading Chinese automaker Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd., Hangzhou (46 percent), Volvo Cars, Gothenburg, Sweden (100 percent), Volvo Trucks, Gothenburg, Sweden (8.2 percent), Lotus Motor Cars, Norfolk, UK (51 percent), Proton Cars, Malaysia (49.9 percent), London Taxi, Coventry, UK (100 percent) and China’s largest car-sharing provider, Cao Cao (100 percent), operating a fleet of around 16.000 electric vehicles worldwide.
Eric Li: “The competitors which technologically challenge the global car industry in the 21st century are not part of the automotive industry today. But with challenges come opportunities. No current car industry player will be able to win this battle against the invaders from outside independently. In order to succeed and seize the technology highland, one has to have friends, partners, and alliances and adapt a new way of thinking in terms of sharing and united strength. And we have to act now. My investment in Daimler reflects this strategic vision.”