Benz tie enticing to Musk

Tesla could be interested in teaming up with Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz on an electric version of its Sprinter van, Elon Musk said in a tweet on Monday.

“Maybe interesting to work with Daimler/Mercedes on an electric Sprinter,” Musk replied to a comment by a Twitter user. “That’s a great van. We will inquire.”

The latest generation of Sprinter vans debuted in February this year, and Mercedes-Benz plans to offer electric versions next year.

While Daimler declined to comment on whether it was open to a collaboration with Tesla, a spokesman said the German company was pleased by Musk’s interest in the van. Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Tesla advanced 52 cents, to $353.99, in after-hours trading on Monday.

Departing Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche was reported as telling a Polish newspaper last month that he did not rule out cooperating with Tesla in the future even though the German luxury-car producer had sold its stake in the US electric-vehicles company.

Company veteran Ola Kaellenius was recently named to become Daimler’s first non-German chief executive next year.

Volkswagen said Friday it plans to spend $50 billion over the next five years in a what it called an “electric offensive” that appears to be aimed at Tesla.

According to Chief Executive Herbert Diess, the company plans to roll out 50 all-electric car models by 2025.