Daimler continues along successful path: record unit sales and revenue in third quarter

• Unit sales significantly above prior-year level at 720,000 vehicles (+13%)

• Revenue up by 13% to €37.3 billion

• Group EBIT of €3,661 million (Q3 2014: €3,732 million incl. the sale of the stake in Rolls-Royce Power Systems Holding)

• Significant increase in Group EBIT from ongoing business to €3,657 million (Q3 2014: €2,787 million)

• Net profit of €2,415 million (Q3 2014: €2,821 million)

• Free cash flow of industrial business in first nine months of €4.8 billion (Q1-3 2014: €6.8 billion incl. the sale of the stake in RRPSH of €2.4 billion)

• Significant growth in unit sales and revenue anticipated for full-year 2015

• Group EBIT from ongoing business expected to be significantly higher than in 2014

• Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars: "We achieved a return on sales of 10% in the automotive business in the third quarter, and proved once again that we are pursuing the right strategy and are progressing with the right products and technologies."

• Bodo Uebber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG for Finance & Controlling and Daimler Financial Services: "We continue to grow profitably and are continually developing our business model."

Daimler AG (ticker symbol DAI) continued with the successful implementation of its strategy and once again set new records for unit sales and revenue in the third quarter. With sales of 720,000 cars and commercial vehicles, the company sold 13% more vehicles between July and September than in the prior-year period. With sales of 508,400 units, Mercedes-Benz Cars had its strongest quarter to date. Group revenue of €37.3 billion in the third quarter was 13% higher than in the same period of last year. Adjusted for exchange-rate effects, revenue rose by 7%.

Group EBIT amounted to €3,661 million in the third quarter (-2%). The prior-year period was positively affected in particular by the sale of the stake in Rolls-Royce Power Systems Holding GmbH (RRPSH), resulting in a gain of €1,006 million. But Group EBIT from the ongoing business increased significantly by 31% to €3,657 million. Net profit amounted to €2,415 million (Q3 2014: €2,821 million). Net profit attributable to the shareholders of Daimler AG amounted to €2,385 million (Q3 2014: €2,735 million). This led to earnings per share of €2.23 (Q3 2014: €2.56).

"We achieved a return on sales of 10% in the automotive business in the third quarter, and proved once again that we are pursuing the right strategy and are progressing with the right products and technologies. The results speak for themselves: Unit sales and revenue are at record levels," stated Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. "We will do everything to put Daimler into the leading position."

Mercedes-Benz Cars in particular was able to significantly surpass its earnings of the third quarter of last year, as a result of further growth in unit sales. The other automotive divisions also increased their earnings significantly compared with the prior-year period. Daimler Financial Services achieved higher third-quarter earnings than last year, primarily due to its increased contract volume.

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