Daimler continues along its successful path in first quarter with record figures for unit sales, revenue and EBIT

• Unit sales increase by 13% to 641,600 vehicles

• Revenue growth of 16% to €34.2 billion

• Group EBIT 63% above prior-year period at €2,906 million

• EBIT from ongoing business up by 41% to €2,930 million

• First quarter net profit almost doubles to prior-year to €2,050 million

• Free cash flow of the industrial business rises to €2.3 billion

• EBIT from ongoing business in 2015 expected to be significantly higher than in previous year

• Significant growth in unit sales and revenue anticipated for 2015

• Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars: "We made a very good start to the year 2015 and continued along our successful path with record levels of unit sales, revenue and EBIT in the first quarter."

• Bodo Uebber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG for Finance & Controlling and Daimler Financial Services: "As a result of our substantial investment, we are profiting from a strong product portfolio. In combination with the systematic continuation of our efficiency measures, we will continue our profitable growth."

Daimler AG (ticker symbol DAI) continued along its successful path with record levels of unit sales and revenue and significantly increased earnings in the first quarter of 2015. With total sales of 641,600 cars and commercial vehicles worldwide in the first quarter, the Group sold 13% more vehicles than in the first quarter of last year. Mercedes-Benz Cars increased its sales by 18% to 459,700 vehicles, achieving its best-ever first quarter in terms of unit sales. Group revenue in the first quarter of €34.2 billion was 16% above the figure for the prior-year period. Adjusted for the effects of exchange-rate changes, revenue growth amounted to 9%. The Group achieved EBIT of €2,906 million (Q1 2014: €1,787 million). Due to the positive development of the biggest divisions, EBIT from the ongoing business also improved significantly to €2,930 million (Q1 2014: €2,072 million) by 41%. Net profit also rose by a substantial 89% to €2,050 million.

"We made a very good start to the year 2015 and continued along our successful path with record levels of unit sales, revenue and EBIT in the first quarter," stated Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. "Our growth strategy, our product offensives and our efficiency programs are paying off. We have already achieved a lot, we look to the future with great confidence, and we aim to achieve even more."

Mercedes-Benz Cars primarily contributed to the increase in EBIT by 63%. The development of the division's earnings was mainly the result of further growth in unit sales in all regions. Earnings increased also significantly at Daimler Trucks and Mercedes-Benz Vans. Due to market conditions, Daimler Buses was unable to match its very high earnings of the prior-year period. Daimler Financial Services' earnings increased primarily as a result of its higher contract volume. Changes in exchange rates had an overall positive impact on operating profit.

Furthermore, the special items shown in the table on page 10 affected EBIT in the first quarter of 2015 and 2014.

"As a result of our substantial investment, we are profiting from a strong product portfolio. In combination with the systematic continuation of our efficiency measures, we will continue our profitable growth," summarized Bodo Uebber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG for Finance & Controlling and Daimler Financial Services, with regard to the development in the first three months of the year. "We are on a very good path to meet our forecasts. At the same time, we will step-by-step approach our margin targets."

Per scaricare il Comunicato Stampa completo (Word) selezionare "Effettuare il download della selezione" dal menù sottostante