Mercedes-Benz Vans posts solid results in 2012

• Revenues and sales slightly below the prior year's high level

• But Daimler's vans division enjoys third-highest operating result in its history

• "Vans goes global" strategy pays off

• Thanks to its dual-brand strategy, Mercedes-Benz Vans is growing twice as fast as the market in the U.S.

• Product offensive I: Successful entry into the European city van segment with the all-new Mercedes-Benz Citan

• Product offensive II: Production of the Sprinter Classic to commence in the growing Russian market in the first half of 2013

• Product offensive III: Beginning in mid-2013, the new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter will help boost demand for the division's products

In 2012, Mercedes-Benz Vans' operating result from its ongoing business was at the third-highest level in the division's history, while sales and revenues almost matched the prior year's high level. Daimler's vans division has also been affected by diverging developments on the global van markets. The market contraction in Western Europe has caused sales at Mercedes-Benz Vans to fall slightly by 4% on a year-on-year basis, to 252,400 units (2011: 264,200). At €9,070 million (2011: €9,179 million), revenues remained nearly unchanged from the prior year's level. Compared to 2011, the division's EBIT dropped by 35% to €541 million (2011: €835 million).

Despite the difficult market situation, Mercedes-Benz Vans not only retained its market leadership for medium and large vans in Europe, but took market share away from its competitors. In the EU27 countries, the division increased its share of this segment to 17.8% (2011: 17.6%). In the medium-size van segment, the division even achieved a market share of 18.5% (2011: 18%), which is its highest market share to date. Mercedes-Benz Vans sold a total of about 164,500 vehicles (-8%) in Europe, its most important sales market.

"Taken as a whole, 2012 certainly wasn't an easy year for the vans sector, especially in key markets of Western and southern Europe," says Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. "Mercedes-Benz Vans nevertheless achieved its third-highest operating result of all time. The division also continues to be the world's most profitable van manufacturer, with a return on sales of 6%. We are continuously extending our lead and focusing on achieving profitable growth with first-rate vans."

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