Daimler reports negative Group EBIT of minus €1.5 billion for 2009; positive EBIT of more than €2.3 billion expected for 2010

• Further improvement in EBIT from ongoing business to
  €0.6 billion in fourth quarter of 2009

• Net loss of €2.6 billion for 2009 (2008: net profit of €1.4 billion)

• No dividend for 2009 due to net loss

• Group revenue of €78.9 billion (2008: €98.5 billion)

• Free cash flow from industrial business of €2.7 billion (2008: minus €3.9 billion)

Daimler AG (stock exchange symbol DAI) today presented the preliminary and unaudited results of the Group and its divisions for the year 2009.

After a difficult first half of the year, Daimler succeeded in continuously improving its EBIT in the third and fourth quarters. EBIT from ongoing business increased again to plus €0.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2009, resulting in full-year EBIT of minus €1,513 million (2008: plus €2,730 million).

The Group's net loss was significant at €2,644 million (2008: plus €1,414 million). Earnings per share amounted to minus €2.63
(2008: plus €1.41).

Due to the net loss, the Board of Management recommends to the Supervisory Board that no dividend should be distributed for the year 2009. This decision is solely a reflection of the course of business in 2009 and is not related to the Group's expected business development this year.

"Last year brought many great challenges also for Daimler," stated Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, at the annual press conference. "But as the year progressed, we made the Group significantly more efficient and laid the foundations not only to overcome the upheaval affecting our industry, but to lead from a strong position. We are emerging from the crisis with plenty of torque."

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