German multinational automotive corporation Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz's parent company, announced Monday plans to set up a new research and development center in Israel. The center, which will be built in Tel Aviv, joins the conglomerate's R&D network, which includes sites in the U.S., Germany, India and China. Adi Ofek, a longtime executive with Daimler, will head the Israeli center. The Tel Aviv center will focus on "car mobility and information services, in addition to the development and testing of various projects and user interfaces," the company said. Daimler board member Professor Thomas Weber, who also heads the conglomerate's cars' research and development ventures, said the new technology center in Tel Aviv "seeks to boost the global R&D outline with the help of Israel, the high-tech nation ... so that we will continue to be the automotive industry's technological leader in terms of efficient, technologically advanced, safe cars." Daimler Vice President of Digital Vehicle and Mobility Sajjad Khan said the Israeli center will support the company's digital ventures, as well as head the development of various interface testing, as the company seeks to foster strategic partnerships with publishers, universities and local technology companies.
