Daimler's car sharing unit car2go expands to China with launch in Chongqing

Germany automaker Daimler says it is expanding its car sharing service to China.

The Stuttgart-based auto giant says car2go will launch in the western city of Chongqing, the first base in Asia.

Daimler said Thursday that a letter of intent has been signed with the city's authorities that will put "several hundred" of its two-seater Smart cars on the road within a year.

Car2go claims more than 1 million customers and 400,000 weekly rentals in Europe and North America, where it is one of the leading providers of station-independent car sharing services.

Daimler has already had success in Asia's biggest auto market with its premium Mercedes brand.