DaimlerChrysler Increases Revenues by More Than 6%
9 January 2001
DaimlerChrysler Increases Revenues by More Than 6 Percent To Approximately Euro 160 Billion in 2000
* Concentration on the automotive business nearly complete
* Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars and smart boost revenues by 13 percent
* Revenues of the Chrysler Group up 6 percent
* Commercial Vehicles increase revenues by 5 percent
STUTTGART, Germany and AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 8 Despite
an increasingly difficult market in the U.S., DaimlerChrysler AG increased
revenues in the year 2000. According to preliminary figures, total revenues
at DaimlerChrysler rose by more than 6 percent to approximately Euro 160
billion (1999: Euro 150 billion). Revenues would have grown by 10 percent on
a comparable basis, the company reported at the opening of the North American
International Auto Show in Detroit.
According to preliminary figures, total sales at DaimlerChrysler's
automotive units reached about 4.7 million vehicles, as compared to just under
4.9 million in the previous year. The Mercedes-Benz and smart brands
accounted for approximately 1.15 million vehicles, a plus of more than 6
percent over 1999 (1.08 million). The Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep(R) brands
sold around 3 million units (1999: 3.2 million). Sales of commercial vehicles
of the Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Sterling, Setra, Thomas Built Buses,
American LaFrance, Orion and Western Star brands posted a slight decrease from
555,000 to 544,000 units.
Last year DaimlerChrysler largely completed its strategic refocus,
becoming the best positioned automotive company in the world. The automotive
business (including financial services) now accounts for over 90 percent of
total revenues. DaimlerChrysler established a strong position in the Asian
growth markets in 2000 through an alliance with Mitsubishi Motors in Japan and
a stake in Hyundai Motor in Korea. DaimlerChrysler was also able to
significantly improve its position on the North American market with the
acquisition of the engine manufacturer Detroit Diesel, the Canadian commercial
vehicle manufacturer Western Star and the planned joint venture with
Caterpillar.
DaimlerChrysler's non-automotive activities took place within the
framework of pioneering partnerships: the successful stock market launch of
EADS (to which DaimlerChrysler contributed Dasa), the IT joint venture between
debis IT Services and Deutsche Telekom, and the upcoming sale of the Adtranz
rail systems subsidiary to Bombardier.
Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars and smart
At the Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars and smart division, revenues climbed
by over 13 percent to over Euro 43 billion. This represents a significant
gain on the record high achieved in 1999. Sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles
reached more than 1.05 million units, or an increase of about 5 percent on the
previous year. Developments were particularly favorable in the U.S., Germany,
Latin America, Southeast Asia and Australia. In Germany, Mercedes-Benz
succeeded in increasing its market share to almost 12 percent in a declining
market. In the U.S., retail sales for the first time broke the 200,000 mark,
reaching more than 205,000 passenger cars (+ 8.5 percent).
The new C-Class which was launched in the spring of 2000, is extremely
popular with customers around the world. More than 150,000 vehicles of this
series were delivered to customers in the first year of production.
Sales at Micro Compact Car smart GmbH exceeded expectations and sales
targets in 2000, selling more than 101,000 units; sales were up more than 25
percent over the previous year. The "cult" car is not only very successful in
Germany but also in Italy, France, Spain, Belgium and Greece.
Chrysler Group
Chrysler Group vehicles were exposed to intense competition and increasing
incentive costs in the U.S. market during 2000. Moreover, segment leading
Chrysler and Dodge brand minivans were replaced by all-new 2001 models,
resulting in production declines due to model changeover and high incentives
to clear inventories of the previous models. The Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep(R)
brands generated revenues of nearly Euro 68 billion last year. The increase
of about 6 percent is largely attributable to the strength of the dollar
against the euro. Vehicle sales declined to about 3 million units.
Commercial Vehicles
Revenues at the Commercial Vehicles division (Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner,
Sterling, Setra, Thomas Built Buses, American LaFrance, Orion and Western Star
brands) increased by about 5 percent to approximately Euro 28 billion. Some
544,000 units were sold -- a decline of roughly 2 percent on the previous
year's record level. The decline in North America was almost fully offset by
favorable developments in Europe and Latin America with trucks, vans and
buses.
Services
For DaimlerChrysler Services AG (formerly debis), the year 2000 was
characterized by strong dynamic growth of revenues and a strategic refocus on
financial and mobility services. DaimlerChrysler's service company increased
revenues by more than 30 percent to Euro 17 billion and boosted contract
volume by over 20 percent to more than Euro 120 billion.
Aerospace
In the first half of 2000 (its last six months before being incorporated
into the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company - EADS), Dasa posted
revenues of Euro 3.3 billion. Revenues at the Aeroengines unit (MTU Munich)
totaled Euro 2.1 billion for the year as a whole, an increase of about 20
percent. New orders climbed by more than 40 percent to Euro 2.3 billion.
Other business units
Revenues at the rail systems subsidiary Adtranz increased by about 8
percent to Euro 3.8 billion. It is expected that the European Commission will
approve the sale to Bombardier during the first quarter of 2001. Revenues at
the Automotive Electronics (TEMIC) business unit rose sharply by approximately
19 percent to Euro 1.1 billion in 2000. Order volume was up roughly 13
percent to around Euro 1.2 billion.
The MTU/Diesel Engines unit was once again able to boost revenues and
order volume in 2000. Revenues rose by more than 7 percent to over Euro 1
billion, while order volume was up nearly 11 percent to Euro 1.1 billion.