Mercedes-Benz Vans posts record earnings in 2011

• Daimler's Vans division boosts earnings by 85% to the record
  level of €835 million (2010: €451 million)

• Highest-ever return on sales (9.1%)

• Significant sales increases for the Sprinter, Vito, and Viano

• Global growth strategy: "Mercedes-Benz Vans Goes Global" remains completely on course

• Annual sales target of more than 400,000 units by 2015

• Product offensive in the European small van segment with the new Mercedes-Benz Citan

• Sprinter now available in Latin America and China

• New name for van joint venture in China: Fujian Benz Automotive Corporation

Mercedes-Benz Vans finished 2011 by setting records for earnings and return on sales in the most successful year overall in the division's history. EBIT rose 85% to the record level of €835 million (2010: €451 million), while the return on sales increased to 9.1% (2010: 5.8%), also a record. Revenues for 2011 totaled €9.179 billion, a 17% increase compared to the prior year. High global demand for vans resulted in an 18% increase in Mercedes-Benz Vans sales to around 264,200 units, with sales records set in the division's core markets in particular. Mercedes-Benz Vans also remains the clear leader for medium-sized and large vans in Europe, its most important sales market. The division sold 178,300 units (+14%) in Western Europe and posted unit sales of 77,600 vans (+25%) in its German home market — the best sales result ever for Germany.

Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, commented today in Stuttgart on Mercedes-Benz Vans' business development as follows: "2011 was an outstanding year for Mercedes-Benz Vans. The records we set for earnings and return on sales have extended our lead in the van segment even further. This makes Mercedes-Benz Vans a true engine of growth for the Daimler Group."

"Mercedes-Benz Vans Goes Global" growth strategy: product offensive in Europe, model changeover in Latin America, and two-brand strategy in North America

Daimler's Vans division plans to continue last year's positive developments in 2012 and 2013 by achieving further increases in unit sales, revenues, and earnings. The foundation for future success has been laid by the strategic approach employed at Mercedes-Benz Vans, which focuses on three areas: exploitation of all growth potential in traditional markets, penetration into new fast-growing markets, and technology leadership in combination with an attractive product portfolio.

"In addition, our Mercedes-Benz Vans Goes Global growth strategy is accelerating our business development not only in Europe but also in the U.S., Latin America, China, and Russia. Our goal now is to achieve annual global unit sales of more than 400,000 vans by 2015," said Volker Mornhinweg.

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