No More Abu Daimler

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

The Emir of Abu Dhabi is tired of the car business. Germany’s Spiegel Magazin heard that Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund Aabar wants to sell all stock in Daimler. Aabar also wants out of Daimler’s Formula 1 team and the joint investment in Tesla.

Both Daimler and the funds have no comment on the matter. However, both the Wall Street Journal and Reuters received confirmation from their sources.

The sheikhs had bought 9 percent of Daimler AG in March 2009, which made Abu Dhabi Daimler’s largest shareholder. That engagement is now down to 3 percent. Both share 7.8 percent of Tesla’s stock 60 (Daimler) to 40 (Abu Dhabi). Abu Dhabi National Energy held 7 percent of Tesla, and has already sold it.

A look at Daimler’s chart says that it is a good time to sell. The Sheikhs approximately doubled their money in Daimler. Reuters thinks they cleared 2 billion euro ($2.6 billion.)

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

More by Bertel Schmitt

Comments
Join the conversation
5 of 7 comments
  • Darkhorse Darkhorse on Apr 19, 2012

    I wonder how much of those capital gains are headed to the Taliban.

    • Th009 Th009 on Apr 19, 2012

      I think you will find that the Emir (and UAE in general) are quite far from the Wahhabi hardliners of Saudi Arabia.

  • Blowfish Blowfish on Apr 19, 2012

    A look at Daimler’s chart says that it is a good time to sell. The Sheikhs approximately doubled their money in Daimler. Reuters thinks they cleared 2 billion euro ($2.6 billion.) What else can u double in ~ 3yrs? Then again if keep riding on it, will it gain more mulla? What else be a better investment than parking the mulla at Daimler garage?

  • Panzerfaust Panzerfaust on Apr 19, 2012

    With Mercedes' Formula One team getting their first win last week, getting someone to pick up where Aabar wants out won't be hard.

Next