Dear readers, This report describes what Daimler means by ...

Daimler 360 GRAD - FAKTEN zur Nachhaltigkeit 2008
Daimler Nachhaltigkeitsbericht 2008 / Economy / Foreword
Dear readers,
The year 2007 was marked by an extensive reorganization of our company. By relinquishing our majority holding
in Chrysler and renaming the Group Daimler, we launched a new chapter in the history of our company. Daimler
is beginning its existence as a strong and financially sound enterprise.
Everything we do is geared toward our long-term business success. That’s because only a successful company
can achieve growth from a position of strength, offer its shareholders outstanding prospects, and provide its
employees with secure jobs. Using this solid business foundation as a starting point, we will be able to intensify
our environmental protection measures and invest extensively in alternative drive system technologies.
To ensure our sustained success, we have not only put into place strategies for the individual divisions and
business units, but also hammered out long-term goals following extensive internal discussions. These objectives
are:
� to achieve an average return on sales of 10 percent at the Mercedes-Benz Cars division from 2010 on,
� to achieve an average return on sales of 8 percent across all business cycles at Daimler Trucks beginning in
2010,
� to increase profitability at Mercedes-Benz Vans,
� to further consolidate our leading global position at Daimler Buses, and
� to achieve a return on equity of at least 14 percent at the Daimler Financial Services division.
� Based on these targets for the operating units, Daimler seeks to achieve a return on sales of 9 percent in its
automotive business across all market and product cycles.
In 2007, external evaluators recognized the efforts we’ve made to align our business activities with the principles
of sustainability. The Daimler AG share was included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) for the third
consecutive year, for example, and was also listed in the European Dow Jones STOXX Sustainability Index. In
addition, Daimler received favorable marks for its commitment to sustainability from the sustainability rating
agencies Oekom, Vigeo, and AccountAbility.
Thanks to our financial strength and the expertise of our company and its employees in the field of drive systems
for sustainable mobility, we’re excellently equipped to meet the challenges our industry will face in the future.
Bodo Uebber
Member of the Board of Management
Finance and Controlling/Daimler Financial Services