Fuel cell supplier Ballard Power Systems is transferring its automotive division to a new company, Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation, which will be majority owned by Daimler AG (50.1%). Ford and Ballard will remain partners in the project.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more


In an announcement today Daimler said that Ballard is transferring ownership of its automotive division to the new company to be able to concentrate on the marketing of stationary fuel cell application.


The company will be headed by Andreas Truckenbrodt, currently executive director hybrid development of Daimler. He was previously an employee of Ballard.


Ford holds a 30% share in Ballard and Ballard will be the main financial partner in new company. In return, Daimler will retransfer its total stake in Ballard. Ballard will provide its employees of the research and development divisions as well as all the intellectual property and expertise relating to automotive fuel cell applications to the new company.


Despite concerns about the availability of hydrogen and its ability to be carbon neutral, Daimler expects fuel cell vehicles to reach maturity for large-scale production between 2012 and 2015. It said it would start producing a small series of B-class F-cell cars as early as 2010.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Herbert Kohler, chief environmental officer of the Daimler Group said: “Investment in the fuel cell is investment in our future. In the coming years, we will work intensively on making this technology even more reliable and on cutting costs. For all the companies involved, the foundation of Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation is an important step into the future because in the long term, the fuel cell is the most viable proposition for sustainable and zero-emission mobility combined with a sparing use of resources.”