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Daimler AG and Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC) will significantly deepen their already strong strategic partnership: according to a binding agreement signed 1st February 2013 between executives of the two companies, Daimler AG is going to invest in BAIC Motor, the passenger car unit of BAIC Group, one of the leading automotive companies in China. This important joint strategic move comes ahead of an intention by BAIC Motor to launch an initial public offering (IPO) in the future. Daimler’s investment will take place through the issuance of new shares corresponding to a twelve percent stake in BAIC Motor.Daimler’s Chairman of the Board of Management, Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chief Financial Officer Bodo Uebber, and Hubertus Troska, Daimler’s new Board Member for Greater China, met today at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart with Chairman Xu Heyi, Deputy General Manager Zhang Xiyong, and CFO Ma Chuanqi of BAIC. As part of this meeting, they signed the contract between the two companies. Daimler’s shareholding in BAIC Motor is subject to the approval by the relevant authorities. A closing of the transaction is expected by the end of this year or early next year.
The agreement includes that Daimler will receive two seats on the Board of Directors of BAIC Motor. The two companies also agreed that BAIC will increase its stake in the production joint venture Beijing Benz Automotive Company (BBAC) by 1% to 51% and will thus be able to consolidate this joint venture within BAIC ahead of its IPO. At the same time, Daimler will increase its stake in the integrated sales joint venture Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service Co. by 1% to 51%.
Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars: “Following our technical cooperation with BAIC Motor and the setup of our integrated sales company, we are now taking the next step in deepening our relationship even further. Our investment is a strong sign of the increased level of trust and cooperation between our two companies and clearly emphasizes the long-term commitment to a joint successful future of our two companies. It is also significant so that both companies can actively participate in the opportunities of the Chinese automotive market.“
Xu Heyi, Chairman of BAIC: “The partnership between BAIC and Daimler has entered into its best phase ever, with further deepened cooperation in accordance with the mutual interests and development plans between both companies. Daimler’s investment in BAIC’s stake will go a long way in accelerating the development of BAIC’s self-owned brand in terms of capital, technology, management, and brand. At the same time, this will help Mercedes-Benz to boost its business performance in China.“
Bodo Uebber, Chief Financial Officer of Daimler commented: “Through this strategic investment in BAIC Motor, we will be the first non-Chinese manufacturer to take a stake in a Chinese OEM. It also gives us the opportunity to be part of the growth of one of its major domestic participants. At the same time, our decision demonstrates the full support of our partner's intention to publicly list its shares in the future, further strengthening BAIC Motor's competitive position.”
Hubertus Troska, Daimler’s Board Member responsible for China said: “BAIC is a long-standing, strategic partner of Daimler in China. With today's signing, we are bolstering this already strong relationship even further. I am very excited to be a part of our joint activities going forward.”
As one of China’s largest automakers, BAIC Group sold over 1.5 million vehicles in 2011. Daimler AG is one of the world’s most successful automotive companies. Both parties have already established a long-term strategic and trustful partnership, including significant investments in the Chinese automotive industry over the past years. Joint activities include BBAC, which has been producing Mercedes-Benz passenger cars since 2006, Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive Co., Ltd. (BFDA), which has been jointly manufacturing Auman-branded medium- and heavy-duty trucks since mid-2012, and most recently, the establishment of Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service Co., Ltd. This significant milestone means that all sales activities for imported and locally produced Mercedes-Benz cars will now be combined under one roof.
Overview: Daimler in China
Daimler in China is based in Beijing and includes Mercedes-Benz (China) Ltd, Mercedes-Benz Auto Finance Ltd, Daimler Northeast Asia Parts Trading & Services Co., Ltd., the joint ventures Beijing Benz Automotive Co., Ltd. (BBAC), Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service Co. (BMBS), Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive Co., Ltd. (BFDA), Fujian Benz Automotive Corporation (FBAC) and Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co. Ltd., as well as sales companies in Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan.
Local production of Mercedes-Benz cars began with the predecessor series of the E-Class in the joint venture BBAC in 2006; the second C-Class series followed in 2008. BBAC has been producing the current E-Class in a long-wheelbase version tailored specifically for the demands of the Chinese market since May 2010; the first locally produced GLK rolled off the production line in Beijing in December 2011.
On the sales side, Mercedes-Benz Cars is represented in China with its complete product portfolio; around 210,000 vehicles were sold in the year 2012. Approximately 50 new dealers will be added to the sales network of already over 220 this year, making the brand increasingly present outside the Tier 1 cities.
China is already the fifth-largest sales market for Mercedes-Benz trucks. With a market share of more than 50% in the premium segment, Mercedes-Benz Trucks lead the market above all in the heavy-duty segment. In addition, Daimler is developing the volume segment of the world’s biggest market for commercial vehicles in a joint venture with Foton Motor, a Chinese truck manufacturer. Since mid-2012, the jointly produced medium and heavy trucks of the Auman brand have also been rolling off the production line in Beijing-Huairou.
In addition, Daimler has been producing Mercedes-Benz vans for the Chinese market in the Fujian Benz Automotive Corporation joint venture since April 2010.
Daimler Financial Services has been providing automotive financing in China through Mercedes-Benz Auto Finance China since 2009.
And together with BYD, Daimler has initiated the joint venture Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co. Ltd to develop an electric vehicle for the Chinese market. This joint venture was officially approved in March 2011..jpg)
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Daimler AG, Ford Motor Company and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., have signed a unique three-way agreement to accelerate the commercialization of fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) technology.
The goal of the collaboration is to jointly develop a common fuel cell electric vehicle system while reducing investment costs associated with the engineering of the technology. Each company will invest equally towards the project. The strategy to maximize design commonality, leverage volume and derive efficiencies through economies of scale will help to launch the world’s first affordable, mass-market FCEVs as early as 2017. Together, Daimler, Ford and Nissan have more than 60 years of cumulative experience developing FCEVs. Their FCEVs have logged more than 10 million km in test drives around the world in customers’ hands and as part of demonstration projects in diverse conditions. The partners plan to develop a common fuel cell stack and fuel cell system that can be used by each company in the launch of highly differentiated, separately branded FCEVs, which produce no CO2 emissions while driving.
The collaboration sends a clear signal to suppliers, policymakers and the industry to encourage further development of hydrogen refueling stations and other infrastructure necessary to allow the vehicles to be mass-marketed.
Powered by electricity generated from hydrogen and oxygen, FCEVs emit only water while driving. FCEVs are considered complementary to today’s battery-electric vehicles and will help expand the range of zero-emission transportation options available to consumers.
“Fuel cell electric vehicles are the obvious next step to complement today's battery electric vehicles as our industry embraces more sustainable transportation,” said Mitsuhiko Yamashita, Member of the Board of Directors and Executive Vice President of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., supervising Research and Development. “We look forward to a future where we can answer many customer needs by adding FCEVs on top of battery EVs within the zero-emission lineup.”
“We are convinced that fuel cell vehicles will play a central role for zero-emission mobility in the future. Thanks to the high commitment of all three partners we can put fuel cell
e-mobility on a broader basis. This means with this cooperation we will make this technology available for many customers around the globe”, said Prof. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, Group Research & Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.
“Working together will significantly help speed this technology to market at a more affordable cost to our customers,” said Raj Nair, group vice president, Global Product Development, Ford Motor Company. “We will all benefit from this relationship as the resulting solution will be better than any one company working alone.”
Engineering work on both the fuel cell stack and the fuel cell system will be done jointly by the three companies at several locations around the world. The partners are also studying the joint development of other FCEV components to generate even further synergies.
The unique collaboration across three continents and three companies will help define global specifications and component standards, an important prerequisite for achieving higher economies of scale.
How a fuel cell electric vehicle works
Like today’s battery-electric vehicles, FCEVs are more efficient than conventional cars and diversify energy sources beyond petroleum.
The electricity for an FCEV is produced on board the vehicle in the fuel cell stack where it is generated following an electro-chemical reaction between hydrogen - stored in a purpose-designed, high-pressure tank in the car - and oxygen from the air. The only by-products are water vapor and heat.Credits: Daimler AGCopyright © 2013, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.
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For the first time, Daimler will start the final assembly of the SUV model series for the new Mercedes-Benz M- and GL-Class outside the SUV parent plant in Tuscaloosa/Alabama, USA. The necessary preparations at the selected three production sites in India, Thailand and Indonesia are proceeding full steam ahead: Later on in the year, final assembly of the M-Class using SKD kits (semi-knocked-down – complete bodywork and further vehicle components) will start there for the respective local market. These kits are produced in Tuscaloosa, prepared for shipping and sent on their journey to the final assembly plants. Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Manufacturing and Procurement Mercedes-Benz Cars & Mercedes-Benz Vans: “Our new SUVs are very popular with our customers. We expect high growth rates also in the emerging markets and therefore extend our local production. Thus, we open up new potential as part of our growth strategy.” The company is expanding its range of vehicle kits available for local final assembly in different markets with two additional, highly attractive model series by the new Mercedes-Benz M- and GL-Class. Following the start of production of the M-Class in India, Thailand and Indonesia this year, the first units of the new GL-Class made from SKD kits will roll off the assembly line in India and Indonesia in the course of 2013.
The Mercedes-Benz plant Tuscaloosa is responsible for the provision of the M- and GL-Class vehicle kits – from the bodywork and gathering the assembly parts together to preparing them for shipping and up to the global supply of the assembly plants. A new SKD logistics center recently entered operation for this purpose. It is operated by the logistics service provider BLG and works closely with the Mercedes-Benz plant as well as with Daimler’s central international manufacturing control in Sindelfingen. Further vehicle parts such as engines and transmissions are delivered directly to the relevant destination via the Powertrain plant’s logistic center in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim.
About the kit assembly of Mercedes-Benz vehicles
The kit assembly has a long tradition at Mercedes-Benz. As far back as the 1950s, the first vehicle parts kits were delivered from Sindelfingen to all over the world. Up to the present day, final assembly of kits for Mercedes-Benz cars has taken place in Europe, Central and South America, Africa, Australia and Asia.
The set of assembly sites currently covers Egypt (C-, E-, S-, GLK-Class), India (C-, E-, S-Class; M- and GL-Class to be added in the future), Indonesia (C-, E-, S-Class; M- and GL-Class to be added in the future), Malaysia (C-, E-, S-Class), Thailand (C-, E-, S-Class; M-Class to be added in the future) and Vietnam (C-, E-, GLK-Class).
The cost effectiveness of this production model is ensured by a high degree of standardisation as well as by the use of existing tried-and-tested Daimler processes and systems.
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Daimler AG (stock-market symbol DAI) achieved very good earnings in the second quarter of 2012. The Daimler Group’s EBIT amounted to €2,243 million (Q2 2011: €2,581 million) and net profit for the period was €1,515 million (Q2 2011: €1,704 million). This led to earnings per share of €1.34 (Q2 2011: €1.51). “Despite the high expenses as previously announced for new products and technologies, our company was once again very profitable in the second quarter. We achieved strong growth in unit sales and revenue,” stated Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.
With regard to the second half of the year, Dr. Zetsche said: “On the basis of current market expectations and the divisions’ planning, we aim for Daimler to achieve EBIT from the ongoing business in full-year 2012 that is in the magnitude of the prior year. However, economic uncertainty and risks exist in nearly all regions. We therefore remain vigilant in our monitoring of general economic developments and the volatile markets.”
Despite more difficult conditions in some markets, the good level of earnings reflects the ongoing growth in unit sales at Mercedes-Benz Cars, Daimler Trucks and Mercedes-Benz Vans. Unit sales at Daimler Buses decreased, however. The Group’s EBIT was also affected by a partially less favorable model mix as well as higher expenses relating to the expansion of the product portfolio at Mercedes-Benz Cars and the current product offensive at Daimler Trucks. Exchange-rate effects had a positive impact on earnings.
In addition, EBIT includes slightly higher charges for the compounding of non-current provisions as well as effects relating to lower discount factors (Q2 2012: €84 million).
The decision made in the first quarter of 2012 to reposition the European and North American business of Daimler Buses resulted in charges of €46 million in the second quarter of this year.
The special items shown in the table on page 8 affected EBIT in the second quarters of the years 2012 and 2011.
Second-quarter unit sales up by 8%
In the second quarter of 2012, Daimler sold 570,300 cars and commercial vehicles worldwide, surpassing the prior-year total by 8%.
The Daimler Group’s second-quarter revenue increased by 10% to €28.9 billion. Adjusted for exchange-rate effects, revenue grew by 4%.
The free cash flow amounted to €1.0 billion in the second quarter of 2012. At June 30, 2012, the net liquidity of the industrial business amounted to €8.4 billion.
At the end of the second quarter of 2012, Daimler employed 273,749 people worldwide (end of Q2 2011: 266,114). Of that total, 166,477 were employed in Germany (end of Q2 2011: 166,840).
Details of the divisions
Mercedes-Benz Cars once again set a new record for unit sales in the second quarter of 2012, with total sales by the car division rising by 4% to 370,400 units. Revenue increased by 5% to €15.4 billion. With EBIT of €1,314 million in the second quarter of 2012, Mercedes-Benz Cars did not quite match the very good earnings of the prior-year period (Q2 2011: €1,566 million). The division’s return on sales was 8.6% (Q2 2011: 10.7%).
The development of earnings was primarily driven by ongoing growth in unit sales, especially in the United States and Asia. Mercedes-Benz Cars achieved particularly high growth rates in the compact-car segment and with SUVs. Exchange-rate effects also had a positive impact on earnings. Against the backdrop of a more difficult economic situation in Europe, negative effects on earnings resulted for example from a less favorable model mix and a shift in the regional sales structure. In addition, there were expenses connected with the expansion of production facilities, as well as higher advance expenditure for new technologies and vehicles and ongoing increases in material costs.
Daimler Trucks increased its unit sales in the second quarter of 2012 by 34% to 122,200 units. Revenue grew by 22% to €8.1 billion. The division posted EBIT of €524 million (Q2 2011: €486 million). Return on sales was 6.4%, compared with 7.3% in the prior-year period.
Daimler Trucks continued its good sales and revenue development in the NAFTA region and Asia. Positive exchange-rate effects also contributed to earnings. There was an opposing, negative effect on earnings from generally declining demand in Brazil; this was related to the weaker economy as well as the introduced new emission standards. Second-quarter EBIT was also impacted by expenditure for the current product offensive.
Unit sales by Mercedes-Benz Vans increased to 69,300 vehicles (Q2 2011: 68,000). Revenue of €2.4 billion was also higher than in the prior-year period (Q2 2011: €2.2 billion). The division’s EBIT of €197 million was slightly lower than in the prior-year period (Q2 2011: €206 million). Earnings were primarily affected by weaker pricing. There was an opposing, positive impact on the division’s earnings from exchange-rate effects. Return on sales was 8.1% (Q2 2011: 9.2%).
Daimler Busessold 8,400 buses and bus chassis worldwide (Q2 2011: 10,600). As in the first quarter, the decrease in unit sales was caused by weaker demand for bus chassis in Latin America, while the business with complete buses was at the prior-year level. Revenue amounted to €1.0 billion (Q2 2011: €1.2 billion). The division posted EBIT of minus €57 million (Q2 2011: plus €61 million) and a return on sales of minus 5.6% (Q2 2011: plus 5.2%).
The development of earnings was primarily caused by the difficult business situation in Latin America, which was mainly reflected by an anticipated decrease in unit sales of bus chassis. There was also an effect from expenses of €46 million for the repositioning of the European and North American business. Exchange-rate effects had a positive influence on earnings, however.
Daimler Financial Services’ business continued to develop positively in the second quarter. Worldwide, approximately 267,000 new leasing and financing contracts worth a total of €9.4 billion were concluded (+12%). Contract volume reached €76.1 billion at the end of June, which is 6% higher than at the end of 2011. Adjusted for exchange-rate effects, there was an increase of 5%.
EBIT of €338 million was at the level of the prior-year quarter (Q2 2011: €340 million). A higher contract volume positively impacted earnings. On the other hand, there was an impact from a slight increase in cost of risk, which had been at an unusually low level last year.
The reconciliation of the divisions’ EBIT to Group EBIT primarily reflects the proportionate share of the results of Daimler’s equity-method investment in EADS, as well as other gains and losses at the corporate level.
Outlook
On the basis of the divisions’ planning, Daimler expects its total unit sales in the year 2012 to be higher than the figure of 2.1 million vehicles achieved in the year 2011.
Mercedes-Benz Cars assumes that it will further increase its unit sales this year and will grow faster than the market as a whole. Unit sales in each of the remaining quarters of 2012 are expected to be higher than in the respective prior-year periods. The division will profit from the continuation of strong demand for its cars in the C-Class segment. Further growth is anticipated for the SUVs, due to the full availability of the new M-Class and other new models. The new generations of the GLK compact SUV and the G-Class have been available since June 2012, and the new GL will be launched in September.
The new models in the high-volume compact-car segment are also contributing towards growth in unit sales: The new B-Class was launched in November 2011 with the new A-Class to follow this September; within just a few weeks, orders for more than 40,000 units of the new A-Class have already been received. And a completely new automobile concept will come onto the market in October: the CLS Shooting Brake. In regional terms, further growth opportunities for 2012 are seen above all in North America, as well as in China, India and Russia. For the smart brand, an ongoing stable level of unit sales is expected.
Daimler Trucks anticipates another rise in unit sales this year. In Europe, the division will make use of its competitive advantages with the new Actros. It is assumed that Daimler Trucks’ sales will develop better than the European market as a whole, facilitating the further extension of market leadership. In Brazil, the market environment remains very difficult due to the introduction of stricter emission standards. On the basis of the products’ popularity in that country, however, Daimler Trucks intends to maintain its strong market position. Rising demand for Euro V vehicles is anticipated in the second half of the year. Strong demand is expected in the NAFTA region in the full year, along with a good development of unit sales for Trucks NAFTA. As before, the main driver will be the high average age of the trucks on the road and the resulting need to invest in replacements.
High growth rates are also anticipated in Asia. Demand in Japan continues to be driven by the work of reconstruction following the natural disaster in connection with state subsidies, and is leading to increasing unit sales by Trucks Asia.
Mercedes-Benz Vans expects to further increase its unit sales in 2012. The launch of the new Citan in the small-van segment will help to boost unit sales in Europe. Overall, the division intends to maintain the 2011 level of unit sales in Europe. Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz Vans assumes that it will sell more vehicles than in the prior year in the United States. It should also be able to profit from the launch in Latin American markets of the current model generation of the Sprinter.
Daimler Buses assumes that unit sales in the year 2012 will be lower than in 2011. The division expects weaker demand this year above all in Latin America due to the introduction of Euro V emission regulations, which led to purchases being brought forward in 2011. Due to the upcoming implementation of state incentives in Brazil, demand is expected to revive in the second half of the year. A slight recovery of the business with complete buses in Europe is anticipated.
Later this year, Daimler Buses anticipates expenses of approximately €45 million from the repositioning of the European bus business and of approximately €20 million from the repositioning of the North American bus business.
Daimler Financial Services expects to achieve renewed growth in contract volume and new business in 2012. A normalization of credit risks is anticipated – and thus a moderate increase compared with the unusually low level of the year 2011.
Following the significant growth of the year 2011, the Daimler Group assumes that its total revenue will increase again in the year 2012. In regional terms, above-average growth rates are expected in the emerging markets and in North America.
On the basis of current market expectations and the planning of the divisions, Daimler aims to achieve Group EBIT from the ongoing business in 2012 that is in the magnitude of the prior year. This target is based on the assumption of currency exchange rates close to their present levels.
The following targets have been set for the divisions’ EBIT from the ongoing business:
- Mercedes-Benz Cars: in the magnitude of the prior year
- Daimler Trucks: at least at the prior-year level
- Mercedes-Benz Vans: in the magnitude of the prior year
- Daimler Buses: below the prior-year level
- Daimler Financial Services: slightly below the prior-year level
Economic uncertainty and risks exist in nearly all regions. Daimler therefore remains vigilant in its monitoring of general economic developments and the volatile markets.
For the automotive business, Daimler aims to achieve an annual average return on sales of 9% across market and product cycles. This is based on targeted returns on sales for the individual divisions, to be achieved on a sustained basis as of the year 2013, of 10% for Mercedes-Benz Cars, 8% for Daimler Trucks and 9% for Mercedes-Benz Vans. Daimler Buses should achieve its targeted return on sales of 6%. The target for the Daimler Financial Services division is a return on equity of 17%.
The special items shown in the following table affected EBIT in the second quarters of 2012 and 2011:Credits: Daimler AGCopyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.
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In its meeting today, the Supervisory Board of Daimler AG extended the contract of Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, a member of the Board of Management of Daimler, until February 28, 2018.Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard has been a member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG since February 18, 2010. In that function, he is responsible for Manufacturing and Procurement Mercedes-Benz Cars and for the entire Mercedes-Benz Vans division.
“We look forward to continuing the excellent cooperation with Wolfgang Bernhard in the Board of Management of Daimler AG and as a member of the Mercedes-Benz Cars team. This management continuity is important for the ongoing consistent implementation of the division’s strategy and for the achievement of our corporate goals,” stated Dr. Manfred Bischoff, Chairman of Daimler’s Supervisory Board.
Wolfgang Bernhard’s contract of service would have expired in February 2013. Pursuant to Section 84 Subsection 1 of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG), the Supervisory Board decides on reappointment after the beginning of the last year of a Board of Management member’s current period of office.
Dr. Bernhard was born in Böhen (in Germany’s Allgäu region) on September 3, 1960. After completing high school in Bavaria, he studied at the Technical University of Darmstadt from 1980 until 1986, graduating as an industrial engineer with the special subject of electrical engineering. From 1987 until 1988, he studied at Columbia University in New York, where he gained an MBA (Master of Business Administration). After that, he studied at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt from 1988 until 1990, obtaining a doctorate on the subject of international exchange-rate risks.
Previous positions at the company:
- Head of the Mercedes-Benz Vans division, 2009
- Member of the Board of Management, COO Chrysler Group, DaimlerChrysler AG, 2002 – 2004
- Deputy Member of the Board of Management, COO Chrysler Group, DaimlerChrysler AG, 2000
- Chairman of the Management, Mercedes-AMG GmbH, 1999
- Center Manager for S-Class Assembly at the Sindelfingen plant and responsible for the start of the new S-Class, 1994
- Project Manager for reducing material costs and increasing productivity at the assembly plants of Mercedes-Benz AG, 1992 – 1993Credits: Daimler AG Copyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.
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Daimler AG responds to the interest from decision-makers and users from the public and service sector with a wide range of products. In booth 321 in Hall C4 and in action spaces on the open-air exhibition grounds multifunctional vehicles with innovative special-purpose bodies and comfortable as well as safe workplaces demonstrate attractive solutions for ever more demanding tasks.Star among the special vehicles sporting the “star” is the New Actros, which will be introduced at an international trade show for the first time. The “Truck of The Year 2012” with Palfinger and Meiller special-purpose bodies demonstrates how environmental awareness paired with comfort and dynamism can add value to a municipal vehicle fleet.
The smaller but exceptionally versatile Fuso Canter TF with a new front, optimised functions, ecologically relevant and ergonomically sophisticated technology can be seen among other things with a Variopress special-purpose body from Faun.
The sustainability of the alternative drive system that uses liquefied natural gas is substantiated by the eco-friendly Econic LNG with further expanded operating range for even better cost-effectiveness, while the Sprinter – this time as a Doka version with equipment from Schmidt Winterdienst – provides convincing arguments first and foremost with its flexibility in day-to-day municipal operations.
Five Unimogs on exhibit
The Unimog is represented at the Ifat Entsorga with a total of five “all-rounders” that once more offer compelling evidence of their versatility as powerful, economical, user- and eco-friendly carrier vehicles equipped with street-sweeper equipment, road-marking machine, mowing implement, snowplough or tunnel washing machine.
The Axor and Zetros also offer specific solutions for municipal road maintenance operations.
All vehicles reflect commitment to cost effectiveness and sustainability but also to driver comfort and safety.
Last but not least, an Atego race truck adds further to the appeal of the trade show exhibit.
New record for in-door exhibition space
After the successful premiere of the merged trade shows Ifat and Entsorga in 2010 – some 110,000 visitors from 185 countries and 2730 international exhibitors – the world’s leading trade show for environmental technology 2012 will most likely set new records. For the first time the show will occupy 215,000 square metres of exhibition space, 180,000 square metres thereof in fully booked halls.
Once again the latest innovations and services in the water resources, sewage, waste and raw materials management will be presented. The focus is among other things on waste collection and transport with suitable vehicles and special-purpose bodies as well as on street cleaning and maintenance with summer- and winter-specific equipment. A practice-oriented surrounding programme with discussion forums and live presentations aims at providing the expert audience with in-depth knowledge and new experiences for day-to-day municipal operations.
The doors of this year’s Ifat Entsorga at the “Neue Messe München” will be open 7 to 11 May.
Credits: Daimler AGCopyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.
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Daimler AG has made an excellent start to the year 2012. “Our company is on the way to its best form, but is not there yet. We are confident we can do more, and that also applies to our share price,” said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, according to the text of his speech to the expected 5,800 shareholders at the International Congress Center (ICC) in Berlin.In the first three months of the year 2012, the Group once again sold more vehicles than in the same period of last year. Unit sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars in the period of January through March increased by 12% to more than 340,000 units compared with the prior-year period. The division thus achieved its best-ever first quarter and its best-ever monthly unit sales in March. The growth drivers since January have been the C-Class models (plus 27%), the S-Class (plus 18%) and the SUV segment (plus 8%). There was also strong demand for the new B-Class, the first of five cars in the new compact range, with orders received for over 100,000 units to date. Although the B-Class is so far only available in Europe, more than 35,000 cars have already been delivered to customers. In September, the new A-Class will be launched, the second car of the new compact car portfolio.
Global car markets should grow by 4% this year. “At Mercedes, we’re on a roll, and we want to beat that,” said Zetsche and affirmed the unit-sales forecast for Mercedes-Benz Cars. The division assumes that this year it will surpass the unit-sales record it set in 2011.
The Daimler Trucks division was also very successful with its strong product portfolio; according to preliminary figures, it sold about 107,000 vehicles from January through March of this year (plus 20%). A major contribution came from Daimler Trucks North America with growth of 41%. Fuso also continued its positive development in Japan, while unit sales in Europe and Latin America decreased by 5%.
From today’s perspective, the division anticipates further growth in unit sales in 2012. In any case, the new Actros is likely to gain market share in the euro zone. The opening of a new plant in Chennai, India in the next few days will be an important step towards conquering new sales markets. As of the third quarter, trucks will be produced specifically for the Indian market under the “BharatBenz” brand.
The Mercedes-Benz Vans division's core markets developed as follows in the first three months of the year: Unit sales increased by 23% in North America and by 10% in Latin America, despite the upcoming model change for the Sprinter in the latter market. In Europe, however, unit sales decreased by 8%. The division is nonetheless confident for the full year that it will maintain the level of unit sales in the euro zone that it achieved in 2011. As of September, sales will be stimulated by the new Citan city van, following its debut at Germany’s IAA international motor show for commercial vehicles in that month. This new small van targets a segment with a total volume of about 700,000 vehicles per annum, of which Mercedes-Benz Vans intends to take a market share of 4 to 5%.
Daimler Buses sold about 5,000 units in the first quarter, lower than the prior-year number. According to preliminary figures, Daimler Financial Services smoothly continued its business development of 2011 and increased its new business to €8.2 billion in the first quarter of this year. The division’s contract volume remained at a record level.
Based on the divisions’ development, Zetsche affirmed the forecasts for 2012: The Group expects its total unit sales to increase again significantly along with further revenue growth. The target for EBIT from the ongoing business is the high level of the prior year (2011: €9.0 billion).
Achieving sustained growth through innovation
The motto of this year’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting, “Growth and Innovation,” brings together two topics of fundamental importance for the future of the Daimler Group. By 2020, the annual global vehicle market should have growth by approximately 40 million to about 120 million units. “The question is not whether this growth will take place, but how it can be made sustainable,” said Zetsche. He believes that innovation has the potential to convert growth into prosperity. “Where that occurs, growth will be ecologically compatible and productive for both society and the economy,” explained Zetsche.
The Daimler Group is at the forefront with both of these topics, and has a first-class starting point for sustained innovation and profitable growth. With the Mercedes-Benz 2020 growth strategy, the Mercedes-Benz brand aims to reclaim its position as the leading manufacturer of premium automobiles also in terms of unit sales. Daimler Trucks intends to defend its first place with its Global Excellence strategy. And the other divisions have similar plans to defend or take over the top position.
In 2012 and 2013 alone, the Group will invest €10.9 billion in research and development and €10.6 billion in property, plant and equipment. Daimler will extend its leading role with green technologies. Some examples are the further development of the automobile into a zero-emission vehicle and the digital networking of automobiles to control traffic and reduce congestion.
With internal-combustion engines, the CO2 emissions of Mercedes-Benz Cars’ fleet has been reduced within two vehicle generations by 35% to an average of 150 grams per kilometer. A fleet average of 125 g/km is to be achieved by 2016.
Mercedes-Benz already sells the world’s most economical full-size sedan: the E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid with consumption of 4.2 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers. Starting this summer, the Daimler Group will be the first premium manufacturer to supply an electric car for all: the e-smart.
Affirmation of medium-term goals
At the event in Berlin, Zetsche affirmed Daimler’s medium-term targets for unit sales and earnings: In the year 2015, more than 1.6 million Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, over half a million trucks, more than 400,000 vans and approximately 42,000 buses are to be sold.
As of the year 2013, Daimler aims to achieve an average return on sales in its automotive business of 9%. The targets for the divisions are a return on sales of 10% for Mercedes-Benz Cars, 8% for Daimler Trucks, 9% for Mercedes-Benz Vans and 6% for Daimler Buses, and a return on equity of 17% for Daimler Financial Services. Mercedes-Benz Vans and Daimler Financial Services already achieved or surpassed their targets in 2011.
Record year 2011 and a high dividend
Daimler had presented its figures for the year 2011 in February. In its jubilee year, the Group set records for unit sales, revenue, EBIT and net profit. Worldwide, 2.1 million vehicles were sold and total revenue increased by 9% to €106.5 billion (2010: €97.8 billion). Group EBIT amounted to €8.8 billion (2010: €7.3 billion) and the Group’s EBIT from the ongoing business was €9.0 billion (2010: €7.2 billion). Net profit increased to €6.0 billion (2010: €4.7 billion).
In view of the very positive business development, the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board proposed the distribution of a dividend of €2.20 per share at today’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting. This constitutes a total payout of almost €2.3 billion and a dividend ratio of about 40% in relation to the Group’s net profit. The dividend for the year 2011 is one of the highest in Daimler’s history.
Credits: Daimler AGCopyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.
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The new DENZA brand for the electric vehicle developed by BYD Daimler New Technology Co. Ltd. (BDNT), the 50:50 joint venture between Daimler and Chinese electric battery and car manufacturer BYD, was formally revealed today in Shenzhen at the “EV – The Future” event.The DENZA brand launch event is the latest milestone in the successful cooperation between Daimler and BYD. Following the BDNT joint venture contract signing in May 2010 and granting of the China business license in March 2011, development has been progressing on schedule.
“The exciting new DENZA brand is a highly visible seal of approval for the leading-edge design, technology and personality of the new car which we are convinced will resonate with customers here in China,” stated Ulrich Walker, Chairman & CEO of Daimler Northeast Asia and Chairman of the Board of Directors of BDNT. “BYD and Daimler have been visionaries in the development of sustainable mobility and new technologies. We are at the forefront in China as the first company to form a joint venture for the development of a pure electric vehicle, and we’re continuing our pace forward with this landmark event today.”
“We’re very pleased with progress on the development of the new all-electric car, and the DENZA brand really brings it to life,” said Mr. Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President of BYD and Member of the Board of Directors of BDNT. “We have the ideal partner in Daimler. BYD provides experience in battery technology and e-drive systems, as well as bringing EVs into operation on the streets of China. In connection with Daimler’s design of premium autos, know-how in electric vehicle architecture and safety, and more than 125 years of experience in automotive excellence, DENZA is on the right track to become the leader in the New Energy Vehicle market in China.”
The DENZA name and logo have been carefully crafted to convey very precise themes. Primarily created with a focus on Chinese consumers, the name DENZA derives its strength from profound and positive associations with the Chinese characters 腾势 téng shì, which together mean “rising power and momentum” - referring both to the attributes of the car as well as the pace of development DENZA aims to be ahead in the New Energy Vehicle industry. DENZA is also a distinctive name in the English language with no prior associations.
The logo is designed around the flowing form of a central water-drop, supported by two hands. The blue water-drop represents the environmental friendliness of the all-electric vehicle, with blue also signifying advanced technology and a bright future. The curves on either side of the water-drop represent the hands of the two partners providing mutual support for the joint venture, as well as for the environment.
The first public appearance of the DENZA concept car will be at Auto China in Beijing in April, with first production planned in 2013. With rapid economic growth, increased urbanization, an open-minded consumer, and a supportive government, all the elements are in place to mark China as one of the countries with the highest potential for electric vehicle adoption.
About BDNT
In 2010, Daimler and BYD signed the contract for a 50:50 research and technology joint venture called “Shenzhen BYD Daimler New Technology Co. Ltd,” (BDNT) that will develop an electric vehicle in and for China. End of February 2011 BDNT received its business license from Chinese authorities - just a few months after signing the JV contract. The vehicle will be marketed under the new DENZA brand jointly created and owned by the joint venture company BDNT.
Electric vehicles are especially well-suited for urban driving. With its many metropolitan areas, China has the potential to be among the world’s largest markets for zero-emission vehicles. Daimler and BYD are determined not only to participate in this growth of electric mobility in China but to accelerate it even further with their BDNT Joint Venture.Credits: Daimler AGCopyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.
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In order to secure its success also over the long term, Daimler has made the topic of sustainability into a key element of its growth strategy. “Sustainable growth is only possible on the basis of sustainable action,” stated Dr. Christine Hohmann-Dennhardt, Member of the Daimler Board of Management for Integrity and Legal Affairs, at the presentation of the company’s latest sustainability report. “That’s why growth, sustainability and responsibility constitute the triad of our entrepreneurial activity. And because we take this matter seriously, integrity will be firmly anchored in the individual target agreements for Board of Management remuneration as of this year.”Since 2011, there has been a Group-wide integrity dialogue between executives and workforce across corporate hierarchies and sites. This is intended to secure a sustainably changed awareness among executives and members of the workforce. At the same time, Daimler continues to further develop its compliance program. For example, the company has further refined its analysis for the assessment of risks in business units and its procedure for reviewing business partners. The BPO whistleblower system has been revised and supplemented in Germany with an external contact person in the role of a neutral mediator, Prof. Winfried Hassemer.
In addition, all employees receive continual further training in compliance courses. And since May 2011, Daimler has regularly provided its employees with information on topics related to integrity and compliance in 19 languages in the context of the Group-wide “fairplay” campaign. As another expression of its sustainable action, Daimler was one of the first signatories of the UN Global Compact and it has also been a member of the Global Compact’s LEAD group since January 2011.
Market success due to sustained innovation
The Daimler Group’s strong commitment to sustainability is also clearly visible from its entire product range – from the smart to emotional sedans and sports cars to heavy trucks – with the addition of innovative mobility concepts such as car2go. Last year, Daimler invested €5.6 billion in research and development. One result of that investment was the number of 2,175 new patent applications in 2011 and numerous product innovations that help to secure the Group’s long-term market success.
Prof. Thomas Weber, Member of the Daimler Board of Management for Group Research & Development Mercedes-Benz Cars and Chairman of the Daimler Sustainability Board, explained, “For us as the inventor of the automobile, the priority is on responsible mobility. Examples of that include the smart electric drive and the world’s most economical full-size automobile, the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID. Both models will be launched in the middle of this year. And our new Actros also sets standards for efficiency: It is the first long-haulage truck to meet the strict Euro VI emission standards already today, although they don’t come into force until 2014.”
Top rating for Daimler’s Sustainability Report
Once again this year, Daimler’s Sustainability Report focuses on the principles of materiality and stakeholder inclusiveness. With its reporting, Daimler fulfills the requirements of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). This year’s report has been given an A+ ranking once again. Credits: Daimler AGCopyright © 2012, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.
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