Daimler Annual Report 2011 - Alle jaarverslagen

Mercedes-Benz Vans
Mercedes-Benz Vans continued its strong development in the year 2011. A key role was played
by the attractive new generations of the Vito and Viano models. Increased production capacity
in Argentina is laying the foundation for further growth in the premium van business. We achieved
a new record for earnings, so the return on sales already reached the target we had set.
4.05
Mercedes-Benz Vans
Amounts in millions of euros
2011 2010 11/10
% change
EBIT 835 451 +85
Revenue 9,179 7,812 +17
Return on sales 9.1% 5.8% .
Investment in property, plant
and equipment 109 91 +20
Research and development
expenditure
thereof capitalized
358
126
267
29
+34
+334
Production 268,851 227,975 +18
Unit sales 264,193 224,224 +18
Employees (December 31) 14,889 14,557 +2
4.06
Unit sales
2011 2010 11/10
% change
Total 264,193 224,224 +18
Western Europe 178,335 156,775 +14
thereof Germany 77,585 62,193 +25
Eastern Europe 22,646 16,404 +38
United States 18,027 10,482 +72
Latin America (excluding Mexico) 13,659 12,528 +9
China 13,514 12,151 +11
Other markets 18,012 15,884 +13
Further substantial increases in unit sales, revenue and
EBIT. Mercedes-Benz Vans’ worldwide unit sales rose by
18% to 264,200 vans of the Sprinter, Vario, Vito and Viano
models. 4.05 This development was once again driven by
our attractive range of high-quality multi-purpose vans as well
as our strong competitive position. In addition, we participated
in the growth of the market for medium-sized and large
vans. Revenue of €9.2 billion was also substantially higher
than in the prior year (2010: €7.8 billion), while EBIT increased
significantly once again to €835 million (2010: €451 million).
Mercedes-Benz Vans continues to grow. As a result of the
positive market development, sales in Western Europe, our
most important market, rose by 14% to 178,300 units. 4.06
This growth was primarily driven by developments in the
region’s key markets. Our products were particularly popular
with customers in Germany, where we sold more vans
than ever before in one year: Sales in our domestic market
increased by 25% to the new record of 77,600 units. The
development of unit sales was also very favorable in Eastern
Europe. In this region, Mercedes-Benz Vans achieved substantial
double-digit growth of 38% in 2011, following a strong
performance in the prior year. The impact of the euro crisis
was apparent in southern Europe, however.
Due to the market success of the Sprinter in the United States
and Canada, sales rose substantially in the NAFTA region to
22,300 units, representing an increase of 68% over the prior
year. The high level of customer acceptance is also reflected
by our increased market share.
In China, Mercedes-Benz Vans increased its unit sales by
11% to 13,500 vehicles following the start of local production
of the Vito and the Viano in spring 2010 and of the Sprinter
bus in October 2011.
Mercedes-Benz Vans was also successful in Latin America in
the year under review, with unit sales increasing by 9% to
13,700 vehicles. Our sales volumes in this region were significantly
higher than in the prior year after an increase in production
capacity in mid-2011. As a result, growth was particularly
pronounced in the second half of the year. Beginning
in 2012, we will be able to supply the current generation of the
Sprinter to our customers in Latin America. We expect this
to further boost sales, especially in Argentina and Brazil.
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