Business development in 2006
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The Mercedes Car Group considerably increased its profitability in 2006. The Mercedes-Benz brand increased its unit sales by 5 percent to 1,149,100 vehicles, thus strengthening its worldwide market position in the premium-car segment. Unit sales by the smart brand decreased to 102,700 cars (2005: 124,300) – mainly because the production of the smart forfour was discontinued.
In the year under review, unit sales by the Chrysler Group of the Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge brands fell to 2.7 million vehicles (2005: 2.8 million). The main factor affecting business development was the extremely intense competition in the U.S. As a result of increased fuel prices and higher interest rates, demand decreased in the U.S. for large and powerful minivans, sport utility vehicles and pickups, while sales of more economical vehicles increased.
The Truck Group increased its unit sales once again by 1 percent to a new record of 537,000 heavy, medium and light trucks. At Trucks Europe/Latin America, growth in Western Europe was offset by falling sales in other regions, especially in the Middle East and Brazil. Unit sales by Trucks NAFTA increased by 3 percent; Trucks Asia (Mitsubishi Fuso) increased its sales by 4 percent compared to the previous year.
The Financial Services division continued its positive development in 2006. New business increased by 10 percent to € 53.0 billion. Contract volume of € 113.3 billion was 4 percent lower than in the prior year.
In the Van, Bus, Other segment, sales of 256,900 vehicles from the van section in 2006 were slightly lower than in the prior year due to the model changeover for the Sprinter. At 36,200 buses and chassis, worldwide unit sales in the bus section reached the previous year’s level for the Mercedes-Benz, Setra and Orion brands.
Overall, business developments in 2006 set the course for profitable growth. Nonetheless, the results for 2007 will once again be affected by the measures taken to increase the sustained profitability of the Chrysler Group. DaimlerChrysler expects to strongly increase its profitability in 2007. The medium-term goal for the entire Group is to achieve a return of at least 10 percent on the capital invested in the company.
For additional information on Group sales according to segment and region, go to www 9.
Please note
The information in the "Sustainability" section mainly refers to the 2006 reporting year. It thus may not always reflect the com- pany's current situation.
