Global Sales June 2010

[MBFanToDeath]

Mercedes-Benz: Best Sales Result for the Month of June in Company History


OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Stuttgart, Jul 05, 2010

Dr. Joachim Schmidt:

• “In June we succeeded in boosting our sales by a double-digit percentage for the eighth time in a row. With growth of 15 percent, we successfully mastered the first half of the year. Compared to last year, our sales were up in every region, the main growth drivers were the E- and S-Class.”

• “We are also in an excellent position to do well in the months ahead and plan to continue Mercedes-Benz’ success with a significant increase in the third quarter.”

Stuttgart – Last month, Mercedes-Benz recorded the best month of June in the history of the company: With 113,300 units delivered (2009: 100,300), sales increased 13 percent worldwide, surpassing expectations. In the first half of the year, sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars were up 15 percent compared to the result in the same period last year, with 556,700 vehicles (2009: 483,300) handed over to customers.

Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars: “In June we succeeded in boosting our sales by a double-digit percentage for the eighth time in a row. With growth of 15 percent, we successfully mastered the first half of the year. Compared to last year, our sales were up in every region, the main growth drivers were the E- and S-Class. We are also in an excellent position to do well in the months ahead and plan to continue Mercedes-Benz’ success with a significant increase in the third quarter.” The basis for this remains above all the E-Class and S-Class as well as the positive development of Mercedes-Benz in its two biggest foreign markets, the United States and China.

A key factor for the record-breaking sales in June was the rapid growth in China, where Mercedes-Benz was the premium brand with the strongest growth. Last month 13,700 passenger cars (June 2009: 4,900) were sold in the country, a sales increase of 177 percent. During the first six months of the year sales rose by 120 percent to 60,500 units (2009: 27,500). In the other BRIC countries - Brazil (plus 73 percent), Russia (plus 76 percent) and India (plus 83 percent) - a growth rate in the high double digits was recorded last month. This applies accordingly for the first half of the year. In the Asia/Pacific region, sales in Japan climbed by 27 percent last month, and by 15 percent in the first half of the year. In South Korea, Mercedes-Benz was able to more than double sales in June (plus 174 percent) and also during the first half of the year. Since the beginning of 2010, Mercedes-Benz has also posted strong sales increases in Australia (plus 22 percent) and in the World Cup host country, South Africa, (plus 23 percent).

Also contributing greatly to the improved sales results was the continuing strong demand in the U.S., where Mercedes-Benz was the fastest-growing premium brand in June. Sales rose by 21 percent to 18,300 units (2009: 15,200). Sales in the first half of the year totaled 103,700 passenger cars (2009: 85,100), an increase of 22 percent. Mercedes-Benz has thus been the German premium brand with the highest sales volume in the U.S. since the beginning of this year. In Canada, sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars totaled 14,300 units (2009: 12,000) since the beginning of this year, a 19 percent increase on last year’s result.

In Western Europe (not including Germany) sales in the first half of 2010 were up seven percent to 152,300 units (2009: 142,900). Sales growth was for example recorded in the UK (plus nine percent), Spain (plus 12 percent), the Netherlands (plus 26 percent), and Portugal (plus 42 percent). Sales figures in June were particularly positive in Italy, where sales increased by 18 percent.

In June, Mercedes-Benz increased its market share in Germany. With the highest market share in the premium segment, it remains the strongest brand on the domestic market. In the first half of 2010, in a sharply decreasing overall market, a total of 122,500 passenger cars (2009: 131,000) were delivered to customers (minus seven percent).

Among the model ranges, growth in the first half of 2010 was driven mainly by the E-Class and S-Class. The E-Class sedan continues to be the Number one in its segment, posting a 62 percent increase in sales during the first six months of 2010, to 101,700 units. Compared to the same period last year, more than twice as many units of the new estate were delivered to customers (plus 124 percent). Thanks to growth of 29 percent, sales of S-Class sedan reached 30,500 units. In June, the sedan was the market leader in its segment, and posted a 51 percent sales increase. With the market launch of the new generation of the CL-Class at the beginning of July, the S-Class adds an attractive member to its model family. Sales of the C-Class sedan and the estate rose by five percent in the first half of the year. The C-Class sedan also led the way in its segment in June. In the SUV segment, Mercedes-Benz increased its sales by ten percent in the first six months of the year.

A total of 9,600 (June 2009: 11,000) smart fortwo were delivered worldwide in June (minus 13 percent). The company expects that the model update, which will be presented to the media for the first time in July, will give sales a boost.

Overview of sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars

June 2010

% change

January – June 2010

% change

Mercedes-Benz

113,300

+13.2

556,700

+15.2

smart

9,600

-13.3

50,700

-17.0

Mercedes-Benz Cars

122,900

+10.6

607,400

+11.6

Mercedes-Benz sales by market

Western Europe

58,100

-3.6

274,800

+0.4

- of which Germany

27,000

-10.5

122,500

-6.5

NAFTA

21,400

+18.4

120,400

+21.2

- of which US

18,300

+20.5

103,700

+21.8

Asia/Pacific

25,400

+85.9

117,600

+62.1

- of which Japan

3,400

+26.5

15,200

+14.7

- of which China

13,700

+177.2

60,500

+119.8

© 2010 The World Of Mercedes-Benz /////AMG. All rights reserved.
© 2010 Daimler AG. All rights reserved.

Source: The World Of Mercedes-Benz /////AMG

 

[Giannis]

This press release is about MB's global sales, so I moved it to a new thread!

 

[Giannis]

BMW Group retail grows 13.1% in first half year

* 08.07.2010
* Press Release

Double-digit growth at BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce again in June

Rolls-Royce sells more cars than ever before

Positive sales trend continues in Motorcycles segment



Munich. The BMW Group has ended the first half-year with substantial growth in sales. A total of 696,026 (prev. yr. 615,454) BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand automobiles were delivered to customers worldwide in the first six months of the year – an increase of 13.1%. In June, sales volumes rose 12.2% to 143,157 (prev. yr. 127.556) vehicles. The company made gains in virtually all markets during the first half-year, with sales in China, the American and European markets in particular reporting the strongest growth. On the product side, the BMW X1, 5 Series GT and Z4 models, together with the BMW 7 Series, were among the main growth drivers in the first half of the year. The new BMW 5 Series Sedan also got off to a strong start – roughly 25,000 models have already been sold since its European launch in mid-March.



Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing: “In some cases, the automobile markets are recovering much faster than expected. We had a successful first half-year with retail growth of 13.1%, and were able to maintain our position as the world’s leading premium manufacturer.” Robertson added: “We aim to continue this upward trend in the second half of the year. Besides the new BMW 5 Series Sedan, a large number of new models, including the new BMW 5 Series Touring, the new BMW X3 and the MINI Countryman, will help us achieve this.“



The company reported sales growth in almost all regions and all automobile markets in the first half of the year. In Europe, deliveries increased 3.9% to reach a total of 389,601 (prev. yr. 374,923) units. Most of this increase came from high-volume markets such as the UK (73,000 / +20.4%), France (34,235 / +11.6%), Spain (23,426 / +35.9%) and Belgium/Luxemburg (20,474 / +16.5%).

In a sharply declining overall market (-28.7%), the company was able to maintain new vehicle registrations very close to last year’s level in its largest sales market of Germany, at a total of 135,421 (prev. yr. 136,769 / -1.0%) BMW and MINI sales, and expand its market share significantly to 9.2%. However, the BMW brand was the only premium brand in Germany to make gains in the first six months. With a total of 120,262 (prev. yr. 118,960) vehicles sold here, 1.1% more new BMW automobiles were registered than in the same period last year.

The company also remained on its growth track in its strongest export market: In the US, 121,585 (prev. yr. 114,448) BMW and MINI vehicles – 6.2 percent more units – were delivered to customers. The BMW Group therefore remains the best-selling European premium carmaker in the US market. With 23,331 (prev. yr. 20,849) BMW and MINI deliveries and growth of 11.9%, June was also the strongest month so far this year in the US.

In Asia, BMW Group volumes climbed 57.5% between January and June (128,483 / prev. yr. 81,586). The Chinese market continued to see exceptionally dynamic growth. With sales of 75,615 vehicles in the first half of the year (prev. yr. 37,627 / +101.0%), the company more than doubled its retail volume here from the same period last year. The BMW Group also reported strong gains in the other “BRIC” countries, Brazil (+131.4%), Russia (+24.5%) and India (+25.0%), as well as in the markets of Africa (+26.8%) and Oceania (+13.8%).



BMW brand sales rose 14.1% to 585,755 automobiles (prev. yr. 513,591) in the period under review. In June, the brand delivered 119,663 (prev. yr. 105,232) vehicles to customers worldwide – an increase of 13.7%. Growth drivers in the first half-year were mainly the BMW X1, with 46,705 units, and the BMW 5 Series GT, with 11,803 units. Strong gains were also made by large model series, such as the BMW 7 Series with 30,711 deliveries (+50.0% / prev. yr. 20,479) and the BMW X5 and X6 models with a combined total of 68,632 (+7.1% / prev. yr. 64,078) deliveries. The strongest growth in the first half of the year was reported by the BMW Z4 Roadster with 14,236 (+74.7% / prev. yr. 8,148) vehicles sold. The BMW 7 Series, the BMW X5/X6 and the BMW Z4 remain the global market leaders in their respective segments. Volumes also increased for what is traditionally BMW’s highest-volume series: Overall, the 3 Series made gains of 3.0%, with 199,027 (prev. yr. 193,186) deliveries in the period between January and June. Robertson: “This year’s most important new model is the new BMW 5 Series. The new BMW 5 Series Sedan, launched in March, has already found 25,000 customers. In June, we also introduced this model in the US – and the car has also been extremely well received here.”



In the first half of the year, sales of MINI brand automobiles were 7.6% higher than the same period last year at 109,301 (prev. yr. 101,534) units. In June, the brand sold 23,202 (prev. yr. 22,271 / +4.2%) units worldwide. Robertson: “With the addition of the new MINI Countryman in the autumn, the MINI family will expand to include four versions. Together with extensive updates to the existing model range, the first MINI crossover model will provide a strong impetus for growth in the second half of the year.” From mid-September onwards, the current MINI models (MINI, MINI Clubman and MINI Convertible) will also receive striking design modifications, additional engine variants, a completely revised selection of diesel engines and innovative new equipment options.



Rolls-Royce has never sold as many cars in a half-year period as this year since the company launched in 2003. With 970 (prev. yr. 329) deliveries so far, growth in the first six months surged 194.8%. Robertson: “Compared with June 2009, Rolls-Royce sales more than quintupled last month to 292 (prev. yr. 53) deliveries. With this monthly and half-year result, we are well on our way to meeting our full-year target of more than doubling Rolls-Royce’s total sales.”



In the first half-year of 2010, BMW Motorrad sold 57,015 (prev. yr. 46,972) vehicles. This represents a retail growth of 21.4 % from the first half of 2009. The positive global trend for BMW Motorrad continued in June. Despite the negative trend on the global motorcycle markets, BMW Motorrad was able to sell more motorcycles year-on-year for the sixth consecutive month. In June, a total of 11,584 (prev. yr. 9,402 / +23.2%) vehicles were delivered to customers. The bestseller list was topped by the large long-distance enduro, the R 1200 GS, which is the world’s best-selling motorcycle in the segment for large capacity bikes in the 500 cc plus class. In the year to the end of June, no less than 6,459 (in June 1,223) units of the S 1000 RR, BMW Motorrad’s first supersport motorcycle, were delivered to customers worldwide – earning it second place in the supersport segment among the 1000 cc class sport bikes.

At a technology day to present BMW’s first in-line six-cylinder motorcycle engine in early July, the business unit provided a first glimpse of its next product offensive. In the future, the engine will power two luxurious new BMW touring bikes, the K 1600 GT and the K 1600 GTL, which will be presented to the public in autumn 2010. Both models will be distinguished by their innovative technology, superior engine smoothness and state-of-the-art fuel consumption.




BMW Group sales in / up to June 2010 at a glance



In June 2010

Compared to previous year

Up to/incl. June 2010

Compared to previous year

BMW Group Automobiles

143,157

+12.2%

696,026

+13.1%

BMW

119,663

+13.7%

585,755

+14.1%

MINI

23,202

+4.2%

109,301

+7.6%

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

292

+450.9%

970

+194.8%

BMW Motorcycles

11,584

+23.2%

57,015

+21.4%

 

[south]

AUDI AG on course in 2010

Press release:

AUDI AG on course for new sales record in 2010 after first half-year

• Around 99,250 cars delivered worldwide in June
• Sales chief Schwarzenbauer: “Aiming to break through barrier of 100,000 cars in United States for first time”
• First ever month with over 20,000 cars sold in China
• Strong growth also on Eastern European market

Ingolstadt, July 8, 2010 – AUDI AG delivered around 99,250 cars worldwide in June, beating even the strong sales figures from the previous month of May. Unit sales increased by 8.7 percent on the prior-year month. For the period January through June, the sales total was 19.1 percent up on the corresponding period of 2009. AUDI AG is therefore on course for a new sales record in 2010 and plans to break through the million barrier again, having already done so in 2008.

“The first half proved considerably better than we had expected, above all in European markets and the United States,” said Peter Schwarzenbauer, Member of the Board of Management for Marketing and Sales at AUDI AG.

In the United States, Audi sold 14.3 percent more cars in June than in the same month of 2009. In the first six months of the year, a total of 48,440 U.S. customers chose a premium car from the Ingolstadt carmaker, a rise of 28 percent on the prioryear period. Schwarzenbauer explained: “Over the past year in particular we have been investing considerable amounts in our brand and the dealer network in the United States. We are now reaping the rewards. This year, our aim is to break through the barrier of 100,000 cars in the United States for the first time ever.”

In other European countries, Audi increased its deliveries by 6.5 percent to around 39,000 units; in the entire first half the Company sold some 229,250 cars in this region, 12.6 percent more than in the corresponding period of 2009.

Audi enjoyed steady sales growth in Eastern Europe: The sales rise of 21.2 percent in June to around 3,300 cars continued the trend of previous months. Overall, unit sales were up 13.8 percent to around 17,900 cars.

In China, June saw Audi sell over 20,000 cars in a single month for the first time ever: Deliveries rose by 61.6 percent to 21,436 units. Between January and June the sales figures increased by 64.3 percent, reaching 109,887 cars: another new record figure.

The sales figures at a glance

The Audi Group sold around 950,000 cars of the Audi brand in 2009. The Company posted revenue of €29.8 billion and an operating profit of €1.6 billion. Audi produces vehicles in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Győr (Hungary), Changchun (China) and Brussels (Belgium). Aurangabad in India saw the start of CKD production of the Audi A6 at the end of 2007, of the Audi A4 in early October 2008 and of the Audi Q5 in July 2010. Production of the new Audi A1 has been running at the Brussels plant since May 2010. The Company is active in more than 100 markets worldwide. AUDI AG’s wholly owned subsidiaries include AUDI HUNGARIA MOTOR Kft., Automobili Lamborghini Holding S.p.A. in Sant’Agata Bolognese (Italy) and quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm. Audi currently employs around 58,000 people worldwide, including 45,500 in Germany. Between 2010 and 2012 the Audi Group is planning to invest around €5.5 billion, mainly in new products, in order to sustain the Company’s technological lead embodied in its “Vorsprung durch Technik” slogan. By 2015, Audi plans to increase the number of models in its portfolio to 42.

Audi has long been fulfilling its social responsibility on many levels – with the aim of making the future worth living for generations to come. The basis for Audi’s lasting success is therefore formed by environmental protection, the conservation of resources, international competitiveness and a forwardlooking human resources policy. One example of AUDI AG’s commitment to environmental issues is the newly established Audi Environmental Foundation.


Best regards,
south

 

[dalab]

From mercedes:

Thanks to growth of 29 percent, sales of S-Class sedan reached 30,500 units. In June, the sedan was the market leader in its segment, and posted a 51 percent sales increase.

From BMW:

as the BMW 7 Series with 30,711 deliveries (+50.0% / prev. yr. 20,479)
The BMW 7 Series, the BMW X5/X6 and the BMW Z4 remain the global market leaders in their respective segments.


30.711 MORE THAN 30.500

 

[MBFanToDeath]

Daimler Group EBIT of 2.1 billion € in the second quarter above market expectations

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Stuttgart, Jul 16, 2010

• Mercedes-Benz Cars with an EBIT of 1,376 mil. €
• Daimler Trucks with an EBIT of 300 mil. €
• Increase of the EBIT-Guidance for 2010 as part of the Q2-report on July 27, 2010

Daimler AG (stock-exchange abbreviation DAI) today released its preliminary figures for the second quarter of 2010. Group revenues amount to 25.1 (2009:19.6) billion €, while Group Earnings before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) including special reporting items amount to 2.1 (2009: -1.0) billion €.

The second quarter EBIT was especially carried by Mercedes-Benz Cars. The main factors for this excellent result were a positive sales development, especially in China and the U.S., an advantegous product mix as well as better price penetration and positive exchange effects. Also, the Daimler Trucks division developed positively in the second quarter und improved its operational results. The main reason was the positive sales development in our major markets as well as measures to sustainably reduce cost.

The preliminary EBIT of each division is:
Mercedes-Benz Cars 1,376 million €;
Daimler Trucks 300 million €;
Mercedes-Benz Vans 127 million €;
Daimler Buses 79 million €;
Daimler Financial Services 171 million €.

The divisions’ revenues are
Mercedes-Benz Cars 14.018 billion €;
Daimler Trucks 5.853 billion €;
Mercedes-Benz Vans 1.977 billion €;
Daimler Buses 1.205 billion €;
Daimler Financial Services 3.322 billion €.

The Daimler Group will increase its EBIT guidance for 2010 as part of its second quarter report on July 27, 2010.

All figures are preliminary and not reviewed by the auditor.

© 2010 The World Of Mercedes-Benz /////AMG. All rights reserved.
© 2010 Daimler AG. All rights reserved.

Source: The World Of Mercedes-Benz /////AMG

 

[MBFanToDeath]

Mercedes-Benz Most Successful Premium Brand in India in First Half of 2010

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Stuttgart, Jul 20, 2010

• Record sales in first six months of the year - sales up 69 percent
• Dr. Joachim Schmidt: “We want to build on our success in the second half of the year and expand our market position - we are aiming to achieve record sales in 2010.”
• S- and E-Class sedans are market leaders in their segments
• Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG available in India now

Mercedes-Benz posted record sales in India in the first half of 2010 and high growth rates enabled it to gain substantial market share. Sales rose by 69 percent in the first six months of the year and a total of 2,500 vehicles were delivered to customers. Mercedes-Benz saw sales climb by 83 percent in June alone.

Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars: “Sales substantially exceeded our expectations in the first half of 2010, supported in particular by the success of the new E-Class. We are currently the strongest premium brand in India and we want to build on our success in the second half of the year and expand our market position. As was the case in the first six months, we are also aiming to achieve record sales for the full year 2010.” Mercedes-Benz sold a total of 3,200 units in India in 2009.

India is currently the third-largest automotive growth market in the world. “We expect India’s premium segment to grow more rapidly than the market as a whole in the coming years,” says Schmidt. “Mercedes-Benz aims to have a corresponding share of this growth. The basis for this growth is a large number of attractive products. We offer customers a broader range of products than any other premium brand. Currently we have supplemented this lineup with another fascinating vehicle: The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG super sports car is available in India now.” In India, Mercedes-Benz offers a total of 30 models in eleven product segments.

The new E-Class was introduced to the Indian market in October 2009. Like the S-Class sedan, the E-Class sedan took the lead in its segment in the first half of 2010. Sales of the E-Class sedan jumped by 109 percent in the first six months of the year to 1,000 vehicles. Sales of the S-Class sedan grew by 25 percent during this period. The M-Class was also the top-selling car in its segment during the first half of the year, sales of the SUV increased by 30 percent. The C-Class sedan posted strong growth as well, with sales increasing by 53 percent and was the market leader in its segment in June.

Mercedes-Benz has had a presence in India since 1954. In 1995, the company became the first premium automaker to set up its own production facilities in the country. This was followed a year later by the opening of a research and development center in Bangalore. The company also maintains a procurement office in the country. In 2009, the company created the framework for future expansion by opening a new production facility for cars and commercial vehicles in Chakan/ Pune. The plant manufactures vehicles for the Indian market. The sales network is being continuously expanded and now consists of over 50 centers in 26 cities. Daimler Financial Services, the financial services division of Daimler AG, is now also preparing its entry into the Indian market.

© 2010 The World Of Mercedes-Benz /////AMG. All rights reserved.
© 2010 Daimler AG. All rights reserved.

Source: The World Of Mercedes-Benz /////AMG

 

[Giannis]

New E-Class a Success: More than 300,000 Units Delivered to Customers

• Dr. Joachim Schmidt: “The E-Class is setting standards for market acceptance - the sedan, estate, coupe and convertible are currently the most popular vehicles in their segments.”
• Around 230,000 sedans, 28,000 estates, and 60,000 coupes and convertibles delivered to date

Stuttgart - Since its launch, the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class has been thrilling customers all over the world, and more than 300,000 units been delivered to date. Says Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars: “The new E-Class is a great success, setting standards not only for safety, comfort and efficiency, but also for market acceptance. This is demonstrated by the fact that each of the four models - the sedan, the estate, the coupe and the convertible - is currently the world’s best-selling vehicle in its comparative class. We are delighted about the positive customer response to the new E-Class models since they are essential to the success of Mercedes-Benz.”

Around 230,000 sedans, 28,000 estates, and 60,000 coupes and convertibles of the new E-Class family have been delivered to customers to date. The sedan was launched in March 2009, followed by the coupe two months later in May and by the estate in November. The market introduction of the convertible in March 2010 completed the model family, ensuring that Mercedes-Benz now offers an unparalleled range of products in this segment.

The sedan took the global lead in its comparative class only one month after its market launch and has since then successfully held this position. The vehicle is way ahead of its competitors, with a market share of more than 50 percent in Germany, around 40 percent in the rest of Western Europe, and over 30 percent in the U.S. In the first half of 2010, Mercedes-Benz sold 101,700 E-Class sedans worldwide, an increase of 62 percent on the same period last year. A long wheelbase version of the E-Class sedan was recently introduced to the Chinese market, which will further help boost sales.

The E-Class coupe is also very popular with customers and posted high growth rates during the first six months of the year. The biggest market for the E-Class coupe is the United States, which accounts for about 20 percent of total sales, followed by Germany, the UK and China. The new E-Class convertible, which was recently launched, has also met with an outstanding response, becoming the global market leader in its segment only two months after it was introduced.

The E-Class estate is also very well received, with sales growing at double-digit rates or more in nearly all markets during the first half of the year. In Germany, which is its most important market, the vehicle is by far the most popular estate in its segment. At 21,500 units, Mercedes-Benz delivered more than twice as many vehicles (plus 124 percent) in the first half of 2010 as in the same period last year.

The current E-Class’ predecessor, the 211 series, was also successful worldwide. A total of 1.6 million sedans and estates were delivered to customers in the six years following the vehicle’s launch. Over the past 60 years, the eight generations of the E-Class have thrilled twelve million customers worldwide.

The E-Class vehicles for global markets are manufactured at two German plants: the Bremen plant, which produces the coupe and the convertible, and the Sindelfingen plant, which manufactures the sedan and the estate. The long wheelbase version of the E-Class sedan is manufactured by Beijing Benz Automotive Co., Ltd. for the Chinese market.

 

[Giannis]

Mercedes-Benz Vans back on track to success: Sales, revenues, and EBIT up sharply in first half of 2010

• More than 106,000 vans sold worldwide since the beginning of the year
• EBIT of €191 million (January-June 2009: minus €101 million)
• Return on sales of 5.2% one of the highest in the vans industry
• Clear strategy for opening up additional growth markets and areas
• Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans: “After the exceptionally difficult year of 2009, we are now back on track to success. Our goal is to be as successful worldwide in the medium term as we are now in Europe.”

Stuttgart – The economy rebounded in all of the key markets worldwide in the first half of 2010, leading to a growing demand for consumer goods and therefore to an increase in transport volume. In line with these developments, the demand for vans also recovered substantially in many of the core markets.

Mercedes-Benz Vans has greatly benefited from this development, raising sales to over 106,000 vehicles in the first six months of the year, an increase of more than 50% over the same period of 2009. This increase was mainly due to the rapidly growing economies in Latin America (sales up by 51% to approximately 6,000 vans) and the most important sales market of Mercedes-Benz Vans, Western Europe (sales up by 39% to 76,200 vehicles). Higher sales in France, the UK, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands contributed especially to this growth. Sales in Germany were up slightly to 28,700 units (+12%). The Vans unit also recorded strong sales growth in Eastern Europe, where the results improved by 26% to 6,700 units. In the NAFTA region, the new sales organization of Mercedes-Benz Vans in the U.S. and Canada got off to a resounding start, boosting sales to 5,200 units (January-June 2009: 300 units).

Revenues rose by 33% in the first half of 2010, to €3,674 million. EBIT grew substantially from minus €101 million in the first half of 2009 to €191 million between January and June of this year. This improvement in earnings was primarily the result of higher sales compared to the previous year, particularly in Western Europe. Thanks to a return on sales of 5.2% in the first half of the year, Mercedes-Benz Vans is among the leaders in profitability in the vans sector.

Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, talked today in Stuttgart about the business development of Mercedes-Benz Vans in the first half of 2010 and the strategy of the division. Commenting on the results, Mornhinweg said: “We really took off in the first six months of 2010 and are now clearly back on track. Our results for the key financial figures of sales, earnings and return on sales speak for themselves, particularly after the difficult situation we faced in 2009. Our current market share of 17.4% makes us the clear market leader in the segment for mid-size and full-size vans in the European Union. And we’re continuing the offensive by launching the right products on the market at the right time and moving forward with our global growth strategy.”

Numerous measures implemented for safeguarding the long-term future of Mercedes-Benz Vans

The success of Mercedes-Benz Vans is due to a long-term strategy which encompasses the three core objectives “Growth in Existing Markets,” “Growth in New Markets,” and “Technological Leadership.”

In order to generate additional growth in existing markets, Mercedes-Benz Vans is increasing its investment in the successor generations of the current product range and in sales and service activities. Furthermore measures for ensuring compliance with global environmental legislation are top priority. Even in economically challenging times, Mercedes-Benz Vans continued to invest heavily in safeguarding its long-term future. In the past three years the unit has spent €250 million on developing the new generations of the high-quality Mercedes-Benz Viano and Vito, as well as on expanding the production facility in Vitoria, Spain, which manufactures both models. The Vito for commercial use features a higher payload and is very robust, while the Viano sets the standards for safety, comfort, and driving pleasure in full-size vehicles. The models are also equipped with economical, fuel-efficient, and environmentally friendly engines with BlueEFFICIENCY technology. Both of the vehicles will make their public debut at the IAA Commercial Vehicles show in September.

The strategic alliance with Renault-Nissan will also help the unit achieve further growth in Europe. In the light commercial vehicle segment, the collaboration concluded between Daimler and Renault-Nissan in April 2010 envisions adding a completely new city delivery van for commercial customers to the Mercedes-Benz Vans product range in 2012.

In North America, Mercedes-Benz Vans is starting a sales campaign with a new sales organization in the U.S. and Canada and a focus on a two-brand strategy. In addition to being sold with the Freightliner nameplate as in the past, the Sprinter has also been sold as a Mercedes-Benz vehicle in the U.S. since the beginning of the year in order to provide customers with the best service possible. The number of dealers will increase from 120 in January 2010 to around 200 in 2011.

Latin America is another established market for Mercedes-Benz Vans. Mercedes-Benz has been successfully producing vans for the South American market in Argentina for more than 50 years. With a market share of 40%, Mercedes-Benz is by far the best-selling premium automaker in Argentina. It occupies a strong position in Brazil as well, with a market share of more than 16%.

Clear strategy for activities in growth markets

Along with the growth it achieves in its established markets, Mercedes-Benz Vans is also looking to profit from the growth potential in emerging markets. Volker Mornhinweg believes there will be promising growth opportunities in Asia over the short and medium terms. “In line with the slogan ‘Go East,’ we are the first automaker to manufacture vans in China, the most dynamic growth market of all,” he says. “Our vans have been rolling off the assembly line there since April — but that's not all. We've also been building vans for the Asian market in Vietnam for the past 15 years.”

In April 2007 Mercedes-Benz Vans joined up with Fujian Motors Group to establish the first joint venture for building vans in China. The 50:50 joint venture, called Fujian Daimler Automotive (FDJA), has already sold more than 3,000 Vito and Viano vans produced locally in China since the start of production in April 2010. Also the Sprinter as a mini-bus version will be produced locally within this important growth market, starting from 2011.

Russia also offers promising growth opportunities for the vans business. Here, the market volume for mid-size and full-size vans in 2009 was 87,000 units. According to current forecasts, that figure could rise to 300,000 vans as early as 2020. Mercedes-Benz Vans is examining a range of options for efficiently penetrating the Russian market in the near future.

Mercedes-Benz is clearly the market leader in “green technologies”

The strategic approach of Mercedes-Benz Vans clearly includes the penetration of new growth areas such as the development of environmentally friendly technologies and safety-oriented technologies. In the area of the so-called “green technologies,” Mercedes-Benz Vans is the leader in the segment of mid-size and full-size vans.

This July, the unit presented the first electricmotive-powered van, the Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL, which is extremely quiet and generates absolutely no emissions during operation. A small-batch series of 100 units of the new Vito E-CELL is currently in production, and testing by customers has commenced. Starting in 2011, 2,000 additional Vito E-CELL vehicles will follow.

Outlook

Against the background of increasing demand and the recovery of the market in the van business, Mercedes-Benz Vans expects to sell considerably more vehicles this year than in 2009. When asked about the unit’s medium-term business target, Volker Mornhinweg had this to say: “Our goal is to be as successful worldwide in the medium term as we are now in Europe. For this reason we will continue to consistently implement our strategy and continuously invest in the future of the unit, starting with our products and continuing with our production locations and, of course, our most important capital — our employees.”