Profits UP Euro 200 million

[Guest JGoh]

Daimler AG pocketed €4 billion for the year ended December 2007. Previously the company had made €3.8 billion, an upshift of some €200 million, thus presenting its case as being back in profit circles. Revenues were €99.4 billion from the back of sales of 2.1 million vehicles worldwide.

However, the trucks division sold 9.4 percent fewer vehicles in 2007 than it did in 2006. The group’s Mercedes-Benz Cars division sold 1,180,100 cars branded Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, AMG and McLaren. smart division contributed 103,100 sales to the overall division.

Unsurprisingly the S-Class is still king of the hill in its segment, selling more than any other make for 2007. The C-Class, although introduced late in the year in most markets, sold in record numbers. The company is looking forward to another strong year in 2008, even though world markets appear to have taken a turn for the worse during the first quarter of the year.

Source: Daimler SA

[keltanky]

hmmm looks like we will see more Merc in asia!!

I'm sure Daimler will push more into India & China

hmmm disel tax lower, hmmm wonder C220 CDi will be how much huh!!!

[Guest millionmilebenz]

Interesting news! I think FY2008 will see even higher profit on the back of a full year of W204 sales. The W221 (S-Class) is indeed getting mucho business. Everytime I'm in Hong Kong, it seems like other luxury sedan is a black W221.

As for the global downturn that's anticipated, it has never affected the spending of the top segment...

[Guest JGoh]

...I'm sure Daimler will push more into India & China

STUTTGART: Daimler predicted on Thursday that India, China and Russia would provide the main impulse for growth in the automotive sector in 2008, in the face of flat demand in Europe and a depressed North American market as a result of falling house prices.

Posting net profits of 3.985 billion euros ($5.8 billion) for 2007, up from 3.783 billion euros ($5.52 billion) in 2006, Daimler said it expected a moderate increase in revenue from the 99.4 billion ($145 billion) euros recorded in 2007.

"From today's perspective, all operations should contribute to this growth. The regional focus of expansion is likely to be mainly in the growth markets of Asia and Eastern Europe," it said.

The company announced an increase in its dividend to 2 euros from 1.50 euros currently.

Operating profit, measured as earnings before interest and tax (EBIT), rose sharply to 8.7 billion euros ($12.7 billion) from 5 billion euros ($7.3 billion). A charge of 2.2 billion was booked to selling off the Chrysler division during the year.