Double triumph for Daimler: "Goldener Öltropfen 2013" goes to Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and commercial vehicles

For the first time ever, a company has won the "Goldener Öltropfen" award for two developments: Daimler AG triumphed in the passenger cars segment with its NANOSLIDE® technology, while in the commercial vehicles segment the award went to the new Mercedes-Benz Citaro Euro VI with recuperation module.

The KRAFTFAHRER-SCHUTZ e.V. (KS) automobile club awards the "Goldener Öltropfen" annually for technical developments or measures which promote economical and environment-friendly driving. In order to be considered for the award, such innovations must be in practical use and purchasable on reasonable terms. KS president Peter Dietrich Rath praised the decision of the neutral expert jury, noting that the two developments by Daimler represented a major contribution towards making passenger cars and buses more economical and thus more environment-friendly.

NANOSLIDE® technology opens up new avenues

The NANOSLIDE® cylinder surface finishing technology developed by Daimler AG provides for more fuel-efficient engines. Wires consisting of an iron-carbon alloy are melted in an electrically generated arc. An atomizing gas sprays the molten droplets into the cylinders of the aluminum crankcase, where they solidify under the effect of rapid cooling to form a delicate lamellar layer with an ultrafine to nano-crystalline microstructure. The cylinder barrel coating then undergoes extreme smoothing, after which it has a thickness of only 0.1 to 0.15 mm. Micro-pores are exposed as a result of the smoothing process, enabling the surface to absorb exceptionally large quantities of oil. This results in very low friction and very high wear resistance. The technology additionally helps to reduce weight and to lower fuel consumption, thereby making an important contribution towards reducing CO2 emissions. The NANOSLIDE® technology incorporates numerous inventions and ideas and is protected by more than 40 patents.

The NANOSLIDE® process has been used in series production at Daimler since 2006 for the 6.3 l V8 engine produced by AMG GmbH. The roll-out in the new V6 petrol engine (M276 DELA 30) has been underway since March 2013 – beginning with the new E-Class. In comparison to Daimler's own V6 petrol engine offering the lowest friction levels worldwide (M276 DE 35), use of the NANOSLIDE® technology has resulted in a further 2.3 percent reduction in CO2 and weight savings of 2.4 kg. In June 2013 NANOSLIDE® is also to be introduced in the new 4-cylinder high-performance engine (M133) from AMG for the A 45 and CLA 45 models.

In the NANOSLIDE® technology, Daimler has realized an effective system which in addition to benefiting passenger car engines also harbors potential for application in engines for commercial vehicles, including buses such as the Citaro.

Mercedes-Benz Citaro BlueTec 6: first series production regular-service bus complying with Euro VI emissions standard

The Mercedes-Benz Citaro is the first regular-service bus to be delivered with engines complying with the Euro VI emissions standard. Its notable fuel savings make an important contribution towards relieving the strain on the environment: emissions from the Citaro with Euro VI emission control technology are 80 percent below its predecessors' levels. As such, the buses play a key role in improving the quality of urban environments. At the same time, transport companies' fuel costs are also reduced, as the new urban buses get by on more than eight percent less diesel fuel.

"In developing the new Citaro, the onus was on combining fuel efficiency and economy with enhanced performance, safety and comfort," stresses Hartmut Schick, Head of Daimler Buses.

The development team have pulled out all the stops to achieve the outstanding economy offered by the new Citaro - a whole array of innovative measures has been applied to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

- The regular service bus saves fuel in the following way by means of a recuperation module: electricity which is generated without the use of fuel in overrun mode is stored and subsequently used when the bus is in tractive mode to supply energy to auxiliary consumers, such as blowers and lighting.

- The new, more efficient and electronically controlled twostage air compressor also contributes to the vehicle's economic efficiency. This compressor also operates in recuperative mode on the overrun. The technology reduces the Citaro's fuel consumption and, in turn, its CO2 emissions by more than three percent, depending on the vehicle's form of deployment.

- Battery and generator management also save fuel, while at the same time extending the components' service lives. The doors of entrances two and three have been lowered, thus reducing air consumption when passengers board at ground level (kneeling) and adding a further 0.4 to 0.5 percent to fuel savings.

The buses incorporate sophisticated emission control technology to meet the Euro VI standard. Together with the completely new engine generation, this technology lowers emissions to the limits of detectability. This represents a further significant step in the ongoing development of diesel technology.

To date, Daimler Buses has delivered some 350 buses equipped with Euro VI emission control technology. More than 1700 buses of the Mercedes-Benz and Setra brands featuring the environment-friendly Euro VI emission control technology are to be in service on the road by the end of 2013.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Read More

Daimler Buses receives order from Austria

ÖBB Postbus GmbH is focusing on vehicles from Mercedes-Benz and Setra as it modernizes its bus fleet. After a Europe-wide advertising Daimler Buses and the ÖBB Postbus GmbH entered into a frame agreement which provides the delivery of vehicles between 2013 and 2017. The orders are open, the exact distribution on the individual models as well but it might be around a volume of about 400 Buses.

ÖBB Postbus operates local public transportation systems throughout Austria and also receives operating contracts from almost all of the transportation networks in the country. “Daimler Buses is a reliable partner of ÖBB Postbus. We’re delighted that the company places such trust in our safe, clean, and reliable high-quality vehicles,” says Till Oberwörder, Managing Director of Sales, Marketing & After-Sales Daimler Buses.
Models supplied are the Mercedes-Benz Intouro, Integro, and Citaro buses as well as the Setra Multi Class 400. All high floor vehicles have a wheelchair elevator in the double broad middle way to enter. All vehicles of Mercedes-Benz and Setra are also equipped with air conditioners for the passenger space and for the driver.

The Mercedes-Benz and Setra buses offer not only outstanding comfort and safety but also great efficiency and excellent sustainability. With a lower engine speed and optimized sound insulation, Mercedes-Benz Citaro, which was named `European Bus of the Year 2013`, won the title against strong hybrid competition. At the Record Run Buses 2012 Mercedes-Benz and Setra showed under a supervision of the examination organization DEKRA that their Euro VI-compliant vehicles consume around 8% less fuel than their Euro V-compliant predecessors.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Read More

TECHNICITY as a responsive online magazine

Innovation, Technology, Mobility: These are the structural pillars of the Daimler magazine TECHNICITY. On this basis we have relaunched a completely revamped new online presentation of TECHNICITY. The conceptual, graphic and technical realisation gives the website, which has been developed to cater for absolutely every user device, a modern and dynamic character. The flexible content structure has an integrated multifilter which presents the "content stream" on a topic-specific basis. These innovative characteristics make the site equal to future requirements with respect to use-friendliness and interactivity.

This future-oriented format establishes an integrated print-online communication model whose online function provides its international readership with current topics covering urban mobility solutions, technology and innovation processes and developments from Daimler research every two weeks.

At a glance

The intelligently conceived website includes a responsive layout – whatever device is used to access TECHNICITY.DAIMLER.COM, the page layout is automatically adjusted to the relevant screen size and therefore ideally meets both present and future requirements.

Whether articles, news, videos or surveys – all formats are chronologically arranged at a glance in the content stream. Useful feature: In the topic clusters "Clean", "Safe", "Connected", "Urban" and "Visionary", the extensive contents can be filtered individually and by topic using the open and flexible navigation structure. Moreover, a multiple filtering function makes "personalised reading" possible.

About TECHNICITY

TECHNICITY combines important perspectives and trends from the Daimler research and development locations with topics not specific to the company. Urban mobility solutions, corporate technology and innovation processes as well as creativity and innovation trends in science, research and development are placed in a global context.

An international network of acclaimed scientific journalists reports for TECHNICITY on trends and innovations from the major cities and high-growth regions of the world.

TECHNICITY – the magazine for innovation, technology and mobility – supplementing TECHNICITY.DAIMLER.COM as a print version with three annual editions in English and German.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Read More

The Mercedes-Benz management team on the S-Class: The best or nothing, in every respect

"Rather than being about safety or aesthetics, power or efficiency, comfort or dynamism, our aspirations were 'the best or nothing' in every respect. No other car stands for the Mercedes-Benz brand promise more than the S-Class."
Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars

"A few years ago, the progress made in efficiency would have sounded like a utopian dream: within ten years, Mercedes-Benz has almost halved fuel consumption in the 150 kW output category. Intelligent Drive is likewise leading the way by networking the sensors to enhance comfort and safety."
Prof Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Development

"The S-Class is not just the spearhead for Mercedes-Benz but for automotive development as a whole. And it has been for decades. That's why the S-Class is also the world's best-selling luxury car."
Dr Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Sales and Marketing

"The sophisticated design of the S-Class has always been an expression of luxury and automotive grandeur of its era. And our new S-Class continues this tradition. With its classic architecture and flowing silhouette, it is a modern embodiment of sensual clarity. The design draws a line from the sophisticated, progressive design idiom to the classic elegance of our 1930s cars – intelligence that speaks to the emotions. Stylish sportiness and sensual forms in synthesis with timeless clarity and effortless superiority make the S-Class a true design icon."
Gorden Wagener, Vice President Design, Daimler AG

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Read More

Daimler at re:publica 2013: What moves us tomorrow?

Where will the increasing connectivity of the automobile lead on to? Will there still be traffic accidents in the future? And will the car possibly even take the wheel? These and other exciting questions Dr. Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, is asked at the re:publica, one of the biggest conferences of the European digital society. Among others, topics such as communication between vehicles or autonomous driving are in the center of the discussion. In addition, new mobility services like car2go and moovel are looked at from various angles.

The two founders of the re:publica, Andreas Gebhard and Johnny Haeusler, confirm: “Mobility is changing, that is beyond question. But how and what that means for all of us leaves definitely room for speculation. The more we look forward to the insights and perspectives of our partner Daimler what will be possible in the future. And maybe the future is closer than we assume.”

Under the motto IN/SIDE/OUT the Internet-oriented audience of the re:publica immerses from 6-8 May in Berlin into a world of curious questions and creative answers about the issues of politics and science, business and society. More than 350 national and international speakers offer the expected 5,000 visitors a varied program on seven stages and four workshop areas.

For the second time Business Innovation - the Daimler Lab for innovative business models – supports the re:publica as partner. As last year, the dialogue with the participants has priority at the Daimler booth. Under the motto “What moves us tomorrow?” the talks and discussions are recorded live with the help of Visual Recording techniques. Another element of the booth is an installation of www.moovel.com . The platform combines the services of different mobility providers for the optimal way from A to B - the user-friendly app links individual and public transport. Moovel started in July 2012 in Stuttgart and in October 2012 in Berlin. Since end of April 2013 moovel can be used in the area of Rhine and Ruhr as well.

In addition, Alexander Mankowsky from Research Society and Technology of Daimler AG deals in one of the workshops on May 7 with the question: “Does the digital conquer the analog worlds? From coexistence to disruption”. Together with Prof. Erich Schöls of the Steinbeis Research Center Design and Systems the futurologist discusses about the opportunities that may arise from disruptive innovations.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Read More

AutomotiveINNOVATIONS Awards for Mercedes-Benz and Daimler AG: Mercedes-Benz is the “Most Innovative Automotive Brand”

At yesterday’s award ceremony for the AutomotiveINNOVATIONS Award 2013, CEO of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars, Dr. Dieter Zetsche, accepted two honours: Mercedes-Benz received the distinction as the world's "Most Innovative Automotive Brand", while Daimler took first place in the category "active and passive Safety Systems". With the AutomotiveINNOVATIONS Awards, the Center of Automotive Management (CAM) and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) honour the most innovative automotive manufacturers of the year for the second time.

For Dr. Dieter Zetsche, the award as "Most Innovative Automotive Brand" is an important confirmation of the long term corporate and product strategies: "Our pioneering spirit is undiminished. We invented the automobile and, since that time, have registered patents for around 90,000 improvements - more than any other premium manufacturer. In the last year alone, we registered an average of nine patents each working day."

With new models in all segments and continuous improvements being made in terms of efficiency, the company remains on course for sustainable and profitable growth. With its CLA model, Mercedes-Benz created a whole new segment – proving, in impressive style, that good design and excellent aerodynamics are far from being contradictory. In fact, the new CLA is the world record holder among production vehicles with a cd value of only 0.22! Mercedes-Benz is the world champion for aerodynamics in almost all vehicle classes.

The first place achieved in the category "active and passive Safety Systems" once again reconfirms the company's leading status in the field of safety. And with the new S-Class, the bar will once again be set even higher. Numerous new systems, grouped together under the term "Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive", make the new flagship model from Mercedes-Benz even more comfortable and safer than ever.

During the presentation of the prize for active and passive safety systems, Dr. Dieter Zetsche commented: "Our vision is ‘accident-free driving’: our aim is to reduce the workload of the "guardian angels" of road traffic - with safety systems that continuously become more and more perfect. In the future, our cars will be able to see in all directions. Our new S-Class and E-Class also recognise cross traffic – pedestrians, cyclists and of course other cars. And, they do so much more quickly than humans are able to."

The AutomotiveINNOVATIONS Award 2013 conferred by the Center of Automotive Management (CAM) in conjunction with the accounting and management consultancy firm PwC, rewards outstanding innovative achievement in the automotive industry in eight categories: Most Innovative Automotive Company, Most Innovative Automotive Brand, and Most Innovative Automotive Company in following fields of technology: Conventional Drive Systems, Alternative Drive Systems, Alternative Drive System in Production Vehicles, active and passive Safety Systems, Vehicle Information and Communication Systems and Vehicle Concepts.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Read More

REPORT: Mercedes-Benz rumored to have secured a tie-up with Aston Martin

What could be link between Mercedes-Benz, Aston Martin and Ducati? At first sight, it seems like none, but going deep into the problem solves the mystery. It looks that Aston Martin, now administrated by former Ducati owner Investindustrial, is eyeing a strong technical partnership with Mercedes-Benz AMG division.

The cooperation, yet to be made official, will see Mercedes-AMG provide full powetrains (including engine, gearbox and technical platform) for future Aston Martin models. The British premium firm producing high-end sports cars is now owned by two investment funds: Investindustrial form Italy with a 37.5% stake (as part of a Memorandum of Understanding with the major shareholder for 185 million dollars) and the Kuweit-based Investment Dar with the remaining majority of shares (72.5%).

Aston Martin targets to benefit from the launch of a new AMG V12 engine expected to be released towards 2015, that will replace company's old 12-cylinder Ford unit which powers current models like the Vanquish and DB9. The total value of the new partnership is still unknown, but Investindustrial plans to invest over 600 million dollars at Aston Martin over the next five years in regard to production facilities, dealership network and new models.

It is also worth mentioning Investindustrial won 1.1 billion euros after it sold Ducati Italian motorbike manufacturer (whom the company from Affalterbach had a marketing alliance with during 2011 and 2012) to Audi last year. What is more: Aston Martin could eventually build the Lagonda SUV in around 2-3 years from now, which means the partnership with Mercedes-Benz could also see the Germans supply the Brits with the 4x4 platform of the GL-Class.

In the past, we reported several times on the possibility of a partnership between Daimler and Aston Martin for the development of the future generation of Maybach limousines. In 2012, talks came abruptly to an end and Maybach got discontinued, with the new S-Class portfolio of models destined to replace the high luxury brand.

Now, if reports are confirmed and insiders are not at fault, then this anticipated tie-up with Aston Martin could see Mercedes-Benz in a fairly winning position, as the amount of money involved for constructing powertrains for the partner, as well as ancillary components, is certainly completely worth the challenge and like a huge dose of fresh air for the German brand in these crisis times.

Note: Aston Martin Vanquish pictured.

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Read More

Daimler achieves EBIT of €917 million in first quarter of 2013

Daimler AG (stock-exchange symbol DAI) achieved earnings below the prior-year level in the first three months of 2013. The Daimler Group posted first-quarter EBIT of €917 million (Q1 2012: €2,098 million). Net profit amounted to €564 million (Q1 2012: €1,425 million). Earnings per share amounted to €0.50 (Q1 2012: €1.26).

“In the first three months of this year, many markets developed worse than expected for economic reasons, especially in Western Europe. Nonetheless, we maintained our unit sales and revenue almost at the levels of the prior-year quarter and gained market share in many segments,” explained Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, with regard to business developments in the first quarter.

“The response to our new products such as the CLA and the E-Class is excellent, and at Daimler Trucks, our successful product offensive is largely completed with the new Arocs and the new Atego. On the basis of the new products, the ongoing efficiency programs and our assumptions for future market developments, we expect earnings in the second half of this year to be higher than in the first half, due in particular to the launch of the new S-Class,” continued Dr. Zetsche.

“Daimler is now in the middle of the most comprehensive growth offensive in its history. To these ends, we are investing large amounts in products, technologies and markets, which, in combination with the generally weak markets, led to a moderate start to the year 2013 in terms of earnings. But due to the stimulus from new products and the effects of the ongoing efficiency programs, we naturally intend to improve significantly in the coming quarters,” explained Bodo Uebber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG for Finance & Controlling and Financial Services.

The decline in earnings in the first three months of this year is a reflection of both a shift in the regional structure of unit sales and a changed model mix at Mercedes-Benz Cars and Mercedes-Benz Vans, as well as a decrease in unit sales by Daimler Trucks. At Daimler Buses, increased unit sales led to an improved operating profit, while the earnings posted by Daimler Financial Services remained almost constant.

The compounding of non-current provisions and effects from the reduction in discount rates led to charges of €47 million in the first quarter of this year (Q1 2012: €170 million). There was an opposing impact from slightly positive exchange-rate effects.

Group revenue at the prior-year level

In the first quarter of 2013, Daimler sold 501,600 cars and commercial vehicles worldwide, and was thus close to the prior-year level (Q1 2012: 502,100).

Daimler’s first-quarter revenue of €26.1 billion was 3% lower than in the first quarter of last year. Adjusted for changes in currency exchange rates, there was a decrease of 1.5%.

The free cash flow of the industrial business amounted to minus €1.2 billion, primarily due to ongoing high expenditure of €1.6 billion for investment in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. The net liquidity of the industrial business amounted to €10.0 billion at March 31, 2013.

At the end of the first quarter of 2013, Daimler employed 274,555 people worldwide (end of Q1 2012: 274,127). Of that total, 166,265 were employed in Germany (Q1 2012: 168,017), 21,702 in the United States (Q1 2012: 21,520), 14,622 in Brazil (Q1 2012: 14,737) and 11,242 in Japan (Q1 2012: 11,344). The consolidated subsidiaries in China employed 1,743 persons at the end of the first quarter (Q1 2012: 2,269). The headcount changes in China result from the transition of the sales organizations for cars into a non-consolidated joint venture. In addition, employees in sales functions in South Africa, who were previously allocated to the Mercedes-Benz Cars division, are now allocated to the sales organization.

The divisions in detail

Mercedes-Benz Cars posted yet another high level of unit sales in the first quarter of 2013. Total sales by the car division increased to 341,500 units (Q1 2012: 338,300). First-quarter revenue fell by 6% to €14.1 billion. The division’s EBIT of €460 million was significantly lower than in the first quarter of last year (Q1 2012: €1,230 million). Return on sales was 3.3% (Q1 2012: 8.2%).

Earnings reflect a shift in the regional sale structure and a changed model mix. Furthermore, EBIT was reduced by expenses for the enhancement of our products’ attractiveness and capacity expansion, as well as advance expenditure for new technologies and vehicles. Exchange-rate effects were slightly positive.

Unit sales by Daimler Trucks decreased by 6% in the first quarter to 101,400 vehicles and revenue amounted to €7.0 billion (minus 5%). The division’s EBIT of €116 million was lower than in the prior-year period (Q1 2012: €376 million). Return on sales was 1.7% (Q1 2012: 5.1%).

Earnings were affected by the overall negative development of unit sales and revenue, resulting from weak demand in some core markets. Earnings were reduced also by expenses for the development of business in India and China, product adjustments especially in the NAFTA region and Europe, and higher warranty costs.

Unit sales by Mercedes-Benz Vans increased slightly in the first quarter of 2013 to 52,600 vehicles (Q1 2012: 51,200), despite the difficult market environment in Western Europe. Revenue decreased slightly to €2.0 billion (Q1 2012: € 2.1 billion). The division achieved EBIT of €81 million (Q1 2012: €167 million) and its return on sales fell accordingly to 4.1%, from 8.0% in the first quarter of last year.

In a market environment featuring restrained demand and intense competition in the European markets, Mercedes-Benz Vans’ unit sales in the first quarter of 2013 were slightly higher than in the prior-year period. Earnings decreased significantly, however, mainly due to changes in the product mix and the regional sales structure. Advance expenditure for new products, including the launch of the Sprinter Classic in Russia, additionally reduced earnings.

In the first quarter of 2013, Daimler Buses increased its worldwide unit sales by 23% to 6,000 buses and chassis as a result of rising demand for bus chassis in Latin America. The business with complete buses in Western Europe was below the prior-year level. Revenue rose by 3% to €751 million; however, the changed model mix following the repositioning of the North American business system had a dampening effect on revenue growth. The division’s EBIT amounted to minus €31 million (Q1 2012: minus €105 million) and its return on sales was minus 4.1% (Q1 2012: minus 14.4%).

Compared with the previous year, EBIT rose as a result of increased unit sales. Daimler Buses achieved significantly higher shipments of bus chassis, especially in Latin America. Business in Europe developed disparately, however: While demand for city buses recovered somewhat, Daimler Buses recorded lower unit sales of coaches. Exchange-rate effects and the initiated efficiency measures had a positive impact on earnings. Expenditure for the repositioning of the European business system decreased substantially to €4 million (Q1 2012: €36 million).

The business of Daimler Financial Services continued to develop positively in the first quarter. Worldwide, some 253,000 new leasing and financing contracts with a total value of €8.6 billion were concluded, representing growth of 4% compared with the first quarter of 2012. Total contract volume of €81.7 billion at the end of the first quarter was 2% higher than at the end of 2012. Adjusted for the effects of currency translation, contract volume increased by 1%. The division’s EBIT of €314 million was lower than in the first quarter of last year (Q1 2012: €344 million).

This earnings development was primarily due to lower interest margins and normalizing credit risk costs. As an opposing effect, the increased contract volume impacted positively on earnings.

The reconciliation of the divisions’ EBIT to Group EBIT comprises our proportionate share of the results of our equity-method investment in EADS, other gains and losses at the corporate level, and the effects on earnings of eliminating intra-Group transactions between the divisions.

Daimler’s share of the net profit of EADS in the first quarter of 2013 amounted to €34 million (Q1 2012: €133 million). The decrease in investment income was also due to the reduction of our equity interest in EADS following the sale of a block of shares in December 2012. The reconciliation also includes expenses at the corporate level of €91 million (Q1 2012: €35 million). The elimination of intercompany transactions in the first quarter of 2013 resulted in income of €34 million (Q1 2012: expense of €12 million).

Outlook

According to current estimates, worldwide demand for cars should grow in the range of 2% to 4% this year, driven primarily by the ongoing strong growth in demand in the United States and the further expanding Chinese market. However, as a result of the continuing economic weakness, a decline is again expected in the Western European market. Demand will thus continue to move around a 20-year low. The German market cannot detach itself from this development and is expected to fall significantly short of the previous year’s level. A decline is expected also for the Japanese market compared with the previous year’s level, which was unusually high as a result of government incentives for car buyers.

According to the current status, global demand for medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks is expected to grow perceptibly in 2013. However, this depends very decisively on the development of the world's biggest market, China, which should experience a perceptible recovery in demand, although the start of the year proved to be below expectations. Demand in North America should stabilize in the coming months, but from today’s perspective, Daimler anticipates market contraction of up to 5%. In view of the continued weak economic environment, the Group expects a drop of approximately 5% for the European truck market. Market volume in Japan could be up to 5% below the prior-year level, whereby the possible effects of the Japanese government’s new economic stimulus package are still difficult to assess. A moderate recovery and market growth of as much as 10% are expected in Brazil, thanks to the improved economic outlook and favorable financing conditions. The Russian market has already returned to near-pre-crisis levels and is expected to grow again moderately in the year 2013. On the other hand, a drop in demand for trucks is expected in India due to the continued below-average economic momentum.

On the basis of the divisions’ planning, Daimler anticipates another increase in its total unit sales in the year 2013.

Mercedes-Benz Carsis consistently moving ahead with its “Mercedes-Benz 2020” offensive. Numerous model changes and new products should ensure that the division achieves yet another record for unit sales in the year 2013. The new models in the high-volume compact car segment are likely to make a major contribution to sales growth. After the successful start of the A-Class and B-Class, the four-door CLA coupe came on the market as the third model based on the new compact car architecture in mid-April 2013. The extensively revised new E-Class sedan and station wagon have also been available at Mercedes-Benz sales and service centers and dealerships since April. As of June 2013, the new E-Class coupes and convertibles will also provide added sales momentum. The electrically driven, locally emission-free super sports car SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive will come on the market in June 2013. Mercedes-Benz Cars expects significant growth in the luxury segment for the second half of 2013, due mainly to the launch of the all-new S-Class. As the most important new model of the year 2013, the new S-Class equipped with trailblazing innovations will set new standards of comfortable and safe driving under the umbrella term “Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive.” In addition, the Mercedes-Benz brand will continue to profit from the market success of the models in the SUV segment in 2013.

The smart brand sees a good chance that the unique two-seater can continue to defy its advancing lifecycle in the highly competitive micro-car segment in 2013 and can achieve unit sales in the previous year’s range once again.

Daimler Trucks expects a slight increase in unit sales in the full year. In the first half of the year, however, the continued weak state of the economy will probably lead to a rather modest or even negative development of unit sales in a number of core markets. The extensive product offensive, which is now largely complete in all relevant regions, should provide a counterbalance to the difficult economic conditions. As a result of this offensive, the division is in a very good starting position: In Europe, unit sales will gain added impetus from a full product range already in line with the stricter Euro VI standards significantly ahead of the date of introduction, with the Actros, the Antos, the new Arocs for the construction sector, and the new Atego. In the NAFTA region, Daimler Trucks will maintain its competitive position with its excellent vehicle offering in combination with strong Detroit components. A convincing sales argument in favor of the Freightliner Cascadia Evolution for example is the optimization of vehicle aerodynamics and powertrain, which yields additional fuel savings of 5% compared to its predecessor, the previous market benchmark.

The Fuso and BharatBenz brands will continue to make an important contribution to sales growth in 2013. In the future, trucks of the Fuso brand will also be produced in Chennai and exported to the Asian markets outside India and to Africa. The Fuso Canter and its hybrid versions, which have also been produced in Europe since 2012, should provide additional demand stimulus. Furthermore, additional models of the BharatBenz truck will be launched in India and the sales and service network will be further expanded. In Russia and China, the division is progressively expanding its collaboration with local partners Kamaz and Foton, and is thus creating the conditions for the further development of those growth markets.

Mercedes-Benz Vans expects to achieve growth in unit sales in full-year 2013. On the product side, this should be assisted by the new Mercedes-Benz Citan and as of mid-2013 by the new generation of the Sprinter. Moreover, the start of local production of the Sprinter Classic in Russia in the second quarter of 2013 should enable the division to continue increasing its unit sales in that growth market.

Daimler Buses anticipates a significant increase in unit sales for the year 2013, with bus chassis likely to account for a higher percentage of total unit sales. The division expects to see a distinct revival of demand in 2013 especially in Latin America. Daimler Buses assumes that its business with complete buses in Europe will follow a stable development at an ongoing low level.

Daimler Financial Services expects further growth in new business and contract volume for full-year 2013.

After the significant increase in the year 2012, Daimler assumes that Group revenue will continue to grow in 2013. In regional terms, above-average growth rates are anticipated in the emerging markets and North America.

On the basis of the planned new models, the increasing effects of the efficiency programs that have been initiated and the assumptions made for the development of important markets, Daimler expects its earnings to improve in the second half of 2013 compared with the first half. Due to the fact that there will be no further equity-method results from EADS in the course of the year, as well as lowered market expectations and the weaker than expected EBIT in the first quarter, Group EBIT from the ongoing business in full-year 2013 is expected to be below the previous year’s level.

Mercedes-Benz Cars anticipates full-year EBIT below the level of 2012. Daimler Trucks and Mercedes-Benz Vans expect to post EBIT from the ongoing business in the magnitude of the prior year, while Daimler Buses should improve on its negative earnings of 2012. In 2014 and the following years, Daimler expects an EBIT improvement for all its automotive divisions and for the Group as a whole. Daimler Financial Services anticipates a stable development of earnings.

From today's perspective, Daimler assumes that the size of its worldwide workforce will remain largely stable compared with the end of 2012.

The items shown in the following table affected EBIT in the first quarters of 2013 and 2012:

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Read More

Daimler plans expansion of Mercedes-Benz Cars production network

The Daimler AG Board of Management has decided to expand the Mercedes-Benz Cars powertrain production network. Following approval by the Supervisory Board, additional capacities for transmission assembly are now planned to be established at the Romanian Daimler subsidiary, Star Transmission. For the production of a new generation of automatic transmissions more than 280 million euros shall be invested in Romania. Overall, the company plans investments of more than 300 million euros there.

Andreas Renschler, Member of the Daimler Board of Management for Manufacturing and Procurement Mercedes-Benz Cars and Mercedes-Benz Vans, explains: "The expansion of our production network to include an additional location for transmission assembly is designed to perfectly complement our existing capacities. Our goal here is to serve the high customer demand with even greater flexibility in the future."

Additional capacities will be built up in view of the high capacity utilization as well as the lack of space for further expansion of transmission production in Stuttgart. "Star Transmission has been a reliable partner of our German powertrain locations for over 10 years. According to the current planning status and based on our excellent experience with Star Transmission, the preferred option for providing the additionally required assembly capacities in a flexible manner is to expand the activities there," explains Peter Schabert, Head of Powertrain Production and Head of the Mercedes-Benz Untertürkheim plant, referring to the plans for the future production network for transmissions. "Our Stuttgart transmission plant will remain the heart of transmission production for Mercedes-Benz Cars and will act as the center of competence in this production network."

Wolfgang Nieke, Chairman of the Works Council for the Mercedes-Benz Untertürkheim plant and Passenger Car Development: "The plant management and works council agreed two years ago, to set up the production of the new automatic transmission and an assembly module at the Stuttgart-Hedelfingen location. The Board of Management thus reaffirmed its commitment to the in-house production of our transmissions. The second assembly module in Sebes will be supplied from our production location. The increased demand for transmissions ensures the long-term capacity utilization of our transmission production at the Stuttgart-Hedelfingen location."

In order to transfer the Swabian expertise appropriately the Romanian employees will undergo a special qualification program. They spend several months at the Untertürkheim parent plant in quality, maintenance and logistics teams in addition to the production areas.

Daimler subsidiary Star Transmission was founded in 2001. At the moment, the company and the roughly 800 employees at the Cugir location produce components for current Mercedes-Benz car engines and transmissions as well as older generations of transmissions for the spare parts business. The decision has already been made to start production of the 5-speed automatic transmission from the middle of this year at the new location in Sebes until its discontinuation. Starting in 2014, the current generation of front dual clutch transmissions will also be assembled there. This will thus provide additional assembly capacities to complement Stuttgart, where the assembly has been concentrated to date. Subject to the support of the Romanian government for the expansion of the production capacities, it is planned that a new generation of automatic transmissions for cars will also be produced in the new production network involving the locations in Stuttgart (full production including assembly) and Sebes (assembly only) starting in 2016.

The reason for these plans is the expected, continually increasing demand for transmissions in line with the Mercedes-Benz 2020 growth strategy. The Stuttgart-Hedelfingen transmission plant, which is part of the Untertürkheim parent plant from an organizational perspective, is today already at full capacity. All available space has gradually been developed in recent years so that the site – due to its special geographical location in the upper Stuttgart Neckar Valley – has reached its maximum possible expansion level and no meaningful options for further expansion of the facilities exist there.

At the same time, any type of capacity expansion at Mercedes-Benz Cars should also contribute decisively to increased profitability in light of the fierce global competition in the premium segment. This premise naturally also applies for transmissions, which are produced in-house in contrast to the approach preferred by the competition. Overall, the future production network for transmissions is designed to ensure that the required unit figures can – even in the future – be provided in a reliable and extremely flexible manner in line with customer expectations while fulfilling the set cost targets.

About the Mercedes-Benz Cars powertrain production network

The Mercedes-Benz Cars powertrain production network consists of several locations in Germany and is being complemented by international production plants in close connection with the increasing production of Mercedes-Benz vehicles in close proximity to markets and customers. The central location here is the Mercedes-Benz Untertürkheim plant, which produces engines, transmissions and axles in a total of six plant sections. In the past fiscal year, Daimler has invested over 900 million euros here alone in the expansion and conversion of the powertrain plant sections as well as in the startup of new products and production technologies and, as a result of high customer demand, has been able to create 350 new jobs. The company is investing more than 800 million euros at the location in 2013.

The Mercedes-Benz Berlin plant produces engines and powertrain components, while the Mercedes-Benz Hamburg plant is responsible for the production of axles and various additional components. Our subsidiary MDC Power in Kölleda/Thuringia is another important engine production location; it recently received the prestigious "Factory of the Year" award. When it comes to the international locations, the Romanian subsidiary Star Transmission is responsible for the production of engine and transmission components as well as replacement transmissions. Starting this year, the Beijing production location (BBAC – a joint venture between Daimler and the Chinese partner BAIC) in China will start engine production in order to supply local production of Mercedes-Benz cars and vans. Starting in 2014 in the USA, Daimler and Nissan will – as part of the strategic cooperation between Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance – start the joint production of 4-cylinder gasoline engines based on Mercedes-Benz technology at the Nissan plant in Decherd/Tennessee. One of the main customers for these engines will be the future C-Class production at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa/Alabama.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Read More

Daimler Annual Shareholders’ Meeting 2013 in Berlin: Dr. Dieter Zetsche reaffirms focus on growth and efficiency

“Growth and efficiency: Daimler is staying the course” is not only the motto of today’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of Daimler AG, but also describes the Group’s strategic focus. Daimler is pursuing the goal of reaching the top of the respective sectors. “We are Daimler. We don’t only want to get better. We want to beat the competition – on a permanent basis,” stated Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, with regard to the Group’s goals, according to the text of his speech.

“In 2012, Daimler continued to grow,” Zetsche said about the past financial year before an expected number of approximately 5,000 shareholders at the Berlin Trade Fair Center (Berliner Messe). The Group achieved record unit sales and revenue in 2012. Worldwide, 2.2 million vehicles were sold and Group revenue increased by 7% to €114.3 billion (2011: €106.5 billion). Group EBIT amounted to €8.6 billion (2011: €8.8 billion), and Group EBIT from the ongoing business amounted to €8.1 billion (2011: €9.0 billion). Net profit increased to €6.5 billion (2011: €6.0 billion), and value added rose to €4.2 billion (2011: €3.7 billion).

In view of the earnings achieved and the course of business in the year 2012, the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board recommended the distribution of a stable dividend of €2.20 per share (2011: €2.20). This represents a total dividend of approximately €2.35 billion or a distribution ratio of about 40%.

Affirmation of long-term strategy and goals

Zetsche formulated clear objectives for the Daimler Group: “We strive to be a sustainably competitive company that not only produces the S-Class, but which is the S-Class.”

Daimler is pursuing the following specific targets of

- selling at least 1.6 million Mercedes-Benz passenger cars each year as of 2015 and leading the way in the premium segment also in terms of unit sales by 2020,

- consolidating its leading role in the truck sector by selling more than 500,000 units in 2015 and over 700,000 units in 2020, and

- growing also in its other divisions.

In addition to the growth targets, the Group has corresponding profitability goals. In the medium term, it strives to achieve an average return on sales of 9 percent from its vehicle operations across all market and product cycles, with return targets for the individual divisions of 10% for Mercedes-Benz Cars, 8% for Daimler Trucks, 9% for Mercedes-Benz Vans and 6% for Daimler Buses. The target for Daimler Financial Services is a return on equity of 17%.

Growth strategies supplemented by efficiency programs

“In order to achieve those goals, we have started the biggest growth program in the company’s history: Daimler is growing — at a faster pace, on a broader scale, and in more markets than ever before,” explained Zetsche at the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting.

The goals are to be achieved on the basis of far-reaching product offensives in all divisions, through expansion of the model ranges, the creation of new segments and close adaptation of products and services to regional customer requirements. Across all of its divisions, Daimler has focused on four strategic growth areas in recent years: strengthening the core business, penetrating new markets, expanding its leadership on green technologies and safety, and implementing new types of mobility concept supported by innovations at the interface between mobility and digital networking.

Zetsche emphasized, however: “We don’t want to grow at any price. Our growth has to be sustainably profitable.” To those ends, the growth strategies of the individual divisions have been supplemented with effective efficiency programs.

In the area of passenger cars, the Fit for Leadership efficiency program is an integral part of the Mercedes-Benz 2020 growth strategy. In the area of trucks, the Global Excellence Strategy that started in 2005 has been reinforced with the initiative Daimler Trucks Number One. Similar programs are in place at the other divisions: Performance Vans 2013 at Mercedes-Benz Vans, Globe 2013 at Daimler Buses and DFS 2020 at Daimler Financial Services. In total, this is expected to improve the Group’s cost position by €4 billion by the end of next year.

For 2013 and the following years, the focus is on the consistent implementation of the defined measures and programs. “The objective for this year is to stay the course, continue our growth and enhance our efficiency,” stated Zetsche.

Unit sales in 2013 – status quo and expectations

Many markets were weaker than expected at the beginning of 2013. That applies in particular to the markets for cars and commercial vehicles in Europe. Nonetheless, in the first three months of this year, the Group sold more cars, vans and buses than in the prior-year period.

First-quarter wholesale shipments by Mercedes-Benz Cars increased compared with last year by 1% (retail 3%). The division expects sales impetus from the very good demand for the compact-class models, as well as from the CLA, the third model in the compact class, the new E-Class and the new S-Class, which will have its world premiere in May. Despite the difficult first quarter, Mercedes-Benz Cars assumes that with expansion of the total car market of 2 to 4 percent, its wholesale shipments will increase in full-year 2013.

Daimler Trucks increased its market shares in the first three months of the year, although wholesale shipments decreased by 6%. Thanks to Daimler Trucks’ global spread and its strong, continuously growing product portfolio, the division anticipates slight growth in wholesale shipments as the year progresses. This development will be supported by the new truck for the construction sector, the Mercedes-Benz Arocs, and the new medium-duty truck, the Mercedes-Benz Atego.

First-quarter wholesale shipments by Mercedes-Benz Vans were slightly higher than in the prior-year period (+3%). The division expects growth impetus from the new generation of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, which will be available as of mid-2013. In regional terms, growth prospects are varied: While demand for vans in Western Europe could continue to fall, the division anticipates a slight recovery in China as well as sales stimulus in North and Latin America.

Wholesale shipments by Daimler Buses were better than in the first quarter of last year (+23%). The division also expects an increase in wholesale shipments for the full year compared with 2012. In Europe, there will be contributions to this growth from the new Mercedes-Benz Tourismo and the new Setra TopClass 500. In Mexico, the launch of an all-new product family of five coach variants and city buses is being prepared.

The growth of the vehicle divisions is also reflected by the development of Daimler Financial Services: Its new business once again increased in the first quarter of 2013 compared with the same period of last year. In 2013, the division intends to pass the mark of three million leasing and financing contracts for the first time. Daimler Financial Services sees considerable potential in the expansion of its business with innovative mobility services.

Not much tailwind is anticipated from the markets in the coming months. For Europe in particular, there are no signs of a trend reversal. Daimler will therefore reassess whether its previous market-related assumptions for 2013 are still valid and will provide further information regarding market and earnings expectations for the Group and its divisions for the full year in the first-quarter reporting.

Thanks to new products and the efficiency programs now running, Daimler assumes that earnings in the second half of the year will be higher than in the first half.

Zetsche is confident that these goals will be achieved: “The course we have set is the right one – but we have to follow it. And we will follow it – undeterred by the ups and downs of the markets. Consistently and persistently.”

The full speech document (English version) of Dr. Dieter Zetsche at the Daimler Annual Shareholder's Meeting 2013 --> HERE

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Read More

The Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of Daimler AG approves dividend of €2.20 per share for 2012

At the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of Daimler AG in Berlin on Wednesday, the shareholders approved the distribution of a dividend for the year 2012 of €2.20 per share (prior year: €2.20). The total dividend payout amounts to €2,349 million.

The Annual Shareholders’ Meeting also reelected Ms. Sari Baldauf and Dr. Jürgen Hambrecht as members of the Supervisory Board representing the shareholders for a further five years. Furthermore, the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting elected Ms. Andrea Jung for the first time as a member of the Supervisory Board for five years.

The members of the Supervisory Board representing the employees were elected in March and their period of office begins with the end of the 2013 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting. The members reelected are Erich Klemm, Michael Brecht, Jürgen Langer and Jörg Spies. Elke Tönjes-Werner and Wolfgang Nieke were elected for the first time as members representing the employees. The members of the Supervisory Board representing the trade unions are Jörg Hofmann (as before) and Sabine Maaßen (a new member). Valter Sanches continues to be a member of the Supervisory Board of Daimler AG on the employee side as a trade union member from outside Germany. Dr. Frank Weber was elected to the Supervisory Board for the first time and represents the senior management for the next five-year period. The newly elected members Elke Tönjes-Werner and Sabine Maaßen are the first female members of the Supervisory Board representing the employees. Elections for the Supervisory Board members of the employee side are held every five years.

The actions of the members of the Board of Management were ratified by 98.62% of the votes cast and the actions of the members of the Supervisory Board were ratified by 98.60% of the votes cast.

The Annual Shareholders’ Meeting was held at the Berlin Trade Fair Center (Berliner Messe) and was attended by approximately 5,000 shareholders and shareholder representatives (prior year: 5,700). 29.32% of the share capital was represented.

The dividend will be paid out on April 11, 2013 to all shareholders who held Daimler shares on April 10, 2013.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Read More

Sustainable growth initiative by Daimler

Daimler will continue to rely on sustainable actions and in its “Mercedes-Benz 2020" growth strategy takes ecological as well as social aspects into account with the goal of long-term, sustainable growth. As part of the annual "Daimler Sustainability Dialogues” the company also draws upon the know-how of external experts.

Integrity as part of the corporate culture

Daimler is committed to the actions in and on behalf of the company being guided by values. However, conduct based on business ethics cannot be filled with life by decree, but rather solely on the basis of generally supported principles – both in dealing with one another and with customers and business partners. To achieve a common understanding of "proper business dealings", Daimler conducted a Group-wide integrity dialog across divisions and hierarchies in 2011 and 2012. The results of these dialogs have been integrated in the Daimler Integrity Code, which specifies a binding code of conduct and guidelines that govern everyday actions. Respect, openness, fairness, responsibility, compliance with laws and the respect for rights are key principles in this regard.

Dr. Christine Hohmann-Dennhardt, member of the Daimler Board of Management, Integrity and Legal Affairs: “Conduct based on business ethics is an essential success factor for companies striving for a sustained top position. We share this conviction and have sustainably anchored integrity as in inherent part of our corporate culture.”

Advisory Board for Integrity and Corporate Responsibility

Daimler also places great importance on the critical and constructive outside perspective: for this reason Daimler has established the Advisory Board for Integrity and Corporate Responsibility, which advises the company on questions regarding integrity. Its members are:

- Stefan Aust, journalist, publicist and author
- Professor Kai Bussmann, Head of Economy & Crime Research Center, Martin Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg
- Professor Helmut Holzapfel, Head of the Department for Integrated Traffic Planning and Mobility Development, University of Kassel
- Renate Hornung-Draus, Managing Director of the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations (BDA), Director European and International Affairs
- Professor Michael Kittner, former Professor of Business, Labor and Social Law, University of Kassel and legal advisor for IG Metall
- Professor Julian Nida-Rümelin, Professor for Philosophy, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich
- Pierre Sané, Board Member, UN Global Compact
- Sylvia Schenk, attorney in Frankfurt, Board Member of Transparency International Germany and German Olympic Academy
- Prof. Ernst Ulrich von Weizsäcker, environmental scientist, climate expert and former Member of the Bundestag

The newest member is Louis Freeh, former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and federal judge, who advised the company as compliance monitor until March 31, 2013 and will henceforth be part of this independent advisory committee.

“We are delighted that we were able to attract personalities with outstanding know-how in the area of conduct based on business ethics for our Advisory Board for Integrity and Corporate Responsibility. The exchange benefits both sides equally,” said Dr. Christine Hohmann-Dennhardt, member of the Daimler Board of Management, Integrity and Legal Affairs.

Market success by means of sustainable innovative strength

Daimler also demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability with the ever-growing environmental compatibility of its products. From electric bicycles, passenger cars and vans to light-duty trucks and buses the company meets almost all mobility needs.

“We invest more than five billion euros each year in research and the development of our passenger car portfolio – about half of that in green technologies. That pays dividends. We were able to achieve sizeable CO2 savings in all vehicle segments,” said Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Daimler Board of Management, responsible for Group Research and Development Mercedes-Benz Cars as well as Chairman of the Daimler Sustainability Board.

The company’s portfolio today has more than 47 passenger car models with CO2 emissions of less than 120 grams per kilometer; among them 14 models that emit less than 100 grams of CO2 per kilometer. Thanks to the efficiency initiative, Mercedes-Benz Cars was thereby able to reduce the average CO2 emissions of its entire fleet of new passenger cars in Europe to 140g/km in 2012 – the equivalent of a mere 5.6 liters per 100 kilometers. The Stuttgart-based automaker repeatedly achieves a significant reduction in the CO2 emissions of its vehicle fleet and at the same time remains below the target values specified by the EU for 2012.

Furthermore, the gasoline-powered models of the new Mercedes-Benz A- and B-Class today already meet Euro 6 emission standards that will only go into effect in September 2014. “As an automaker we want to safeguard mobility in individual and sustainable fashion. That’s why we put the bar much higher with regard to sustainability and continuously set ourselves new and most importantly ambitious goals. By 2016 we want to lower the emissions of our Mercedes-Benz Cars fleet to 125 g/km. To achieve this, we use all relevant control levers – from high-efficiency drive systems and intelligent energy management to perfect aerodynamics and consistent lightweight construction.”

Most extensive portfolio of electric vehicles in the industry

In order to meet strict future statutory CO2 emission limits, electric mobility will increasingly gain in significance. That is the reason why the company already has the most extensive portfolio of electric vehicles in the industry, now numbering nine models. This includes the smart ebike, the smart fortwo electric drive and its BRABUS version, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class E-CELL, B-Class F-CELL, the SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive, the Vito E-CELL and the Citaro FuelCELL Hybrid bus. More electric vehicles are already in the starting blocks: the B-Class Electric Drive recently celebrated its world debut at the New York International Auto Show and the electric version of the next-generation smart car is planned both as a two- and four-seater model.

With the example of the smart fortwo electric drive Daimler also shows that emission-free electric mobility is not just feasible on a local scale, but also comprehensively: the energy required for operating all electric smart vehicles in Germany is supplied by a wind power station next to the A9 autobahn, with which Daimler supplies the grid additionally with electricity produced entirely from renewable resources. More than 1000 units of the smart fortwo electric drive have already been produced and delivered to customers; production output will be increased continuously in 2013 to meet the strong demand. With a market share of 20 percent of the entire German market for electric passenger cars, the smart fortwo electric drive is already today’s market leader among passenger cars with a purely battery-electric drive system.

Sustainability Report with A+ rating

The focus of the Daimler Sustainability Report this year was once again on the principles of “materiality” and the inclusion of stakeholders. The company bases its reporting about sustainability on the standards and requirements of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The goal of the GRI is to create comparability between companies within the same industry. The current Daimler Sustainability Report again earned an “A+” rating.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Read More

Daimler IT honored with the first ever „European Data Innovator Award“

Daimler AG has been awarded with the first ever “European Data Innovator Award“. At a festive ceremony hosted by the European Data Forum in Dublin, Ireland, Dr. Michael Gorriz, CIO Daimler, received the Award on behalf of the Information Technology Management (ITM) of Daimler.

For more than one year Daimler ITM colleagues from various departments have worked on concepts and processes on how to apply the new and open World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)-standards of the semantic webs in different disciplines of the company.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Gorriz explained that Semantic Web Technologies are the base for a more effective usage of data and are the pre-requisite to get access to so-called „data silos”. This established transparency of data inventory accelerates decision making processes and business flows.

Thus employees can concentrate on their core responsibilities, as their work gets more efficient when these supportive IT-systems are interconnected free from media breakage.

Dr. Michael Gorriz summarizes: „Through the establishment of forced data transparency and data openness, profound structural changes are taking affect, which need to be supervised. The core business of manufacturing enterprises, such as Daimler, is more and more influenced by IT - “Modern Economy“ und “Old Economy“ are merging together. Cultural and technological changes towards a digital organization need to go hand-in-hand.”

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Read More

Daimler Awards Best Suppliers in Recognition of Outstanding Performance

Daimler AG has granted 2012 Daimler Supplier Awards to 16 suppliers in recognition of their outstanding performance over the past business year. The awards ceremony was the highlight of this year's event, which took place last night with the theme "Night of Masterpieces" in the Mercedes-Benz Center Stuttgart, and was hosted by the TV presenter and news anchorwoman Judith Rakers.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, delivered a speech to more than 450 top-ranking representatives of the most important Daimler suppliers and around 200 representatives of Daimler Management in which he emphasized the importance of the suppliers for Daimler's success: “Our goal is profitable growth. In order to achieve this, we need you as our partners.” Zetsche expressed his sincere gratitude to the suppliers gathered there in recognition of their teamwork and their contribution to the records achieved in the 2012 business year: “You are not just our key suppliers, you are also our key supporters.”

With the Daimler Supplier Awards, each year, the company rewards above-average performance in terms of technology, quality, cost, and delivery reliability.

The awards from the three Daimler procurement divisions were given to the suppliers by the relevant Management Board Members and Heads of Procurement: Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, Board Member Manufacturing and Procurement Mercedes-Benz Cars & Mercedes-Benz Vans, and Dr. Klaus Zehender for Production Material Procurement Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars and Vans; Andreas Renschler, Board Member Daimler Trucks, and Dr. Holger Steindorf for Production Material Procurement Commercial Vehicles; Wilfried Porth, Board Member HR and Labor Director, and Wendelin Wolbert for Non-Production Material Procurement.

With this year's "Special Award for Innovation," three suppliers (Burmester Audiosysteme GmbH, ASK INDUSTRIES S.P.A., and Foster Electric (Europe) GmbH) were jointly rewarded for their contributions to the high-end sound system of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which will soon celebrate its world premiere. Prof. Thomas Weber, Board Member Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development said: “The high-end sound system satisfies even the most demanding customers – from now on, they can experience the natural sound of a concert hall in our new S-Class. This innovation really does deserve special acknowledgment on our part!”

The high-end sound system of the new S-Class was developed in close cooperation between the three renowned suppliers and Daimler engineers. The stated goal was to create the world's best sound system in the automotive sector. On the suppliers' side, the overall system lead was the responsibility of the Berlin, Germany-based high-end audio specialist Burmester Audiosysteme GmbH. Founded in 1977 by musician and engineer Dieter Burmester, it has devoted itself to achieving the absolute sound experience under his leadership, seeking "art for the ear." The amplifier hardware is provided by ASK INDUSTRIES S.P.A., an Italian company that is one of the leading suppliers of high-quality automotive audio solutions. The loudspeakers are the contribution of Foster Electric (Europe) GmbH, also an acknowledged expert for acoustic masterpieces.

The winners of the 2012 Daimler Supplier Awards are:

Procurement Mercedes-Benz Cars and Vans

Exterior - Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG
Rewarded for global investments in production facilities to ensure just-in-sequence delivery at nearly every Daimler site.

Interior - Lear Corporation
Rewarded for the next generation of the E-Class seats.

Electrics/Electronics - Kathrein-Werke KG
Rewarded for the fact that cars from Mercedes-Benz would be unthinkable without Kathrein products.

Chassis - Hirschvogel Holding GmbH
Rewarded for outstanding performance in the MRA and MFA projects.

Powertrain - BorgWarner Turbo Systems
Rewarded for outstanding performance in the following projects: OM651 (2nd phase), OM660 (1st phase), M27 (1st phase) biTurbo, AMG M177/178, M133.

Procurement Daimler Trucks and Buses

Exterior - MEKRA Lang GmbH & Co. KG
Rewarded for the main and front mirror in the new Mercedes-Benz Trucks (Actros, Antos, and Arocs).

Interior - Consolidated Metco Inc.
Rewarded for the joint development of an innovative oil pan for the Detroit brand as part of the New Engine Generation project.

Electrics/Electronics - WABCO Fahrzeugsysteme GmbH
Rewarded for outstanding performance on the brake components for the new Mercedes-Benz trucks (Actros, Antos, and Arocs).

Chassis - mefro wheels GmbH
Rewarded for leading technological development of new tires (weight reduction).

Powertrain - Johnson Matthey PLC
Rewarded for outstanding willingness to perform in the Daimler Trucks #1 project.

International Procurement Services

R&D Services - APL Automobil-Prüftechnik Landau GmbH
Rewarded for outstanding performance in powertrain testing of passenger car transmissions as well as functional and endurance run testing of commercial vehicle engines.

Production Machines and Equipment - EBZ SysTec GmbH
Rewarded for high quality and consistent customer support in the following projects (among others): Body shell for the C-Class 204 and C-Class 205 in Bremen, Tuscaloosa, and East London.

Contract Logistics - DB Schenker Deutschland AG
Rewarded in recognition of many years of a successful and reliable partnership for logistics services at the Mercedes-Benz locations in Bremen, Dusseldorf, Wörth, and Stuttgart (e.g. space-saving storage concept for SKD bodies and I-Park management for the Bremen plant).

Special Award Innovation
- Burmester Audiosysteme GmbH
- ASK INDUSTRIES S.P.A.
- Foster Electric (Europe) GmbH
Jointly rewarded for the high-end sound system of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

Read More