Automated Vehicle Safety Consortium Expands Global Presence, Adds Daimler to Growing Consortium

2019-10-03 WARRENDALE, PA.

Daimler Joins SAE International, Ford, General Motors, Toyota and Uber ATG to Develop Safety Framework for Broad Deployment of Automated Vehicle Technology

WARRENDALE, Pa. (October 3, 2019) – The Automated Vehicle Safety Consortium™ (AVSC) today welcomed Daimler as the latest member of the consortium. The addition of the Daimler brands deepens the AVSC’s connection in the European market as consortium members collaborate on the development of best safety practices around which automated vehicle (AV) technology can be responsibly developed and adopted ahead of broad deployment.

“Like all AVSC members, Daimler brings a longstanding commitment to collaboration to move the entire industry forward,” said Dr. Edward Straub, executive director of the Automated Vehicle Safety Consortium. “Daimler and its legacy brands are working to address pre-competitive industry-wide challenges on both sides of the Atlantic; their involvement with the AVSC expands the consortium’s global reach and expertise as we promote safe AV development and testing.”

Daimler is currently incorporating various levels of AV technologies into its brands of passenger vehicles and trucks. The company promotes extensive testing and safety validation and has leveraged AV technologies in the development and testing of both passenger cars and trucks with SAE Level 4 intent ADS technology on public roads.

Launched in April 2019, the AVSC convenes leading OEM and technology member organizations, including SAE International, Ford, General Motors, Toyota and Uber ATG. The AVSC’s mission is to inform and accelerate the development of industry standards for AVs. Consortium members are working on the development of a series of safety principles for SAE Level 4 and 5 automated driving systems focusing on testing before and during operation of AVs on public roads; data collection, protection and sharing; and interactions between AVs and other road users.

For more information about the AVSC, visit avsc.sae-itc.org.

SAE Industry Technologies Consortia (SAE ITC®) is an affiliate of SAE International. The SAE ITC team specializes in establishing and managing consortia by providing proven processes, tools and resources. ITC enables public, private, academic and government organizations to connect and collaborate in neutral, pre-competitive forums thus empowering the setting and implementation of strategic business improvements in highly engineered industries globally. (www.sae-itc.com)

About Daimler
Daimler AG is one of the world's most successful automotive companies. With its Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Daimler Buses, and Daimler Mobility divisions, the Group is one of the leading global suppliers of premium cars and is the world's largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles over six tons. Daimler Mobility offers financing, leasing, fleet management, investments, credit card and insurance brokerage as well as innovative mobility services. The company founders, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, made history by inventing the automobile in 1886. As a pioneer of automotive engineering, Daimler sees shaping the future of mobility in a safe and sustainable way as both a motivation and obligation.

The company's focus therefore remains on innovative and green technologies as well as on safe and superior vehicles that both captivate and inspire. Daimler continues to invest systematically in the development of efficient powertrains – from high-tech combustion engines and hybrid vehicles to all-electric powertrains with battery or fuel cell – with the goal of making locally emission-free driving possible in the long term. The company's efforts are also focused on the intelligent connectivity of its vehicles, autonomous driving and new mobility concepts. Daimler regards it as its aspiration and obligation to live up to its responsibility to society and the environment. Daimler sells its vehicles and services in nearly every country of the world and has production facilities in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa. In addition to Mercedes-Benz, the world's most valuable premium automotive brand (source: Interbrand study, 4 Oct. 2018), and Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach and Mercedes me, its brand portfolio includes smart, EQ, Freightliner, Western Star, BharatBenz, FUSO, Setra and Thomas Built Buses as well as the brands of Daimler Mobility: Mercedes-Benz Bank, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services and Daimler Truck Financial. The company is listed on the Frankfurt and Stuttgart stock exchanges (ticker symbol DAI).

In 2018, the Group had a workforce of around 298,700 and sold 3.4 million vehicles. Group revenues amounted to €167.4 billion and Group EBIT to €11.1 billion.

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