Mercedes 2003 Annual Report Download - page 60
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Please find page 60 of the 2003 Mercedes annual report below. You can navigate through the pages in the report by either clicking on the pages listed below, or by using the keyword search tool below to find specific information within the annual report.Divisions |Mercedes Car Group | Chrysler Group | Commercial Vehicles | Executive Automotive Committee | Services | Other Activities
DaimlerChrysler Buses and Coaches extends its leading
position in the world market. Despite difficult markets,
DaimlerChrysler Buses and Coaches increased sales of Mercedes-
Benz, Setra and Orion complete buses and chassis by 13% to
28,300 units, further extending its leading position in the world
market. In Western Europe, 6,700 buses were sold (2002: 5,900),
representing a market share of 28% (2002: 26%). Sales figures
were also up in South America, rising by 9% to 11,100 units. In
Mexico we sold 4,300 complete buses and chassis (2002: 4,300),
again taking top position with a market share of 47% (2002: 46%).
The North American urban and transit bus operations, which
were integrated into the business unit in 2002, performed
well during 2003. Although the market as a whole stagnated,
our sales increased by 18% to 1,100 units.
In 2003, this business unit also presented numerous new models,
including the Setra ComfortClass 400 coach variant and the
Mercedes-Benz Tourino mid-range coach. In January 2003, the
American version of the TopClass 400 was launched. Demand
for this vehicle in North America is very strong, with 100 TopClass
400 buses already sold in the launch year.
In October 2003, DaimlerChrysler became the world’s first
manufacturer to install the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) as
standard equipment in all Mercedes-Benz Travego and SetraTop-
Class 400 coaches, as well as in the new ComfortClass. This once
again underscores the company’s role as a technology leader.
Between May and December 2003, the business unit delivered
30 Mercedes-Benz Citaro urban buses with fuel-cell drive to ten
European cities. As a result, DaimlerChrysler is the world’s first
manufacturer to subject fuel-cell buses to two years of practical
testing.
Successful new products from Mercedes-Benz Vans.
Mercedes-Benz Vans recorded sales of 230,900 vehicles in 2003
(2002: 236,600). The drop in sales was mainly due to the upcoming
launch of the new van models, the Vito and the Viano, in September
2003, and a declining market in Western Europe. With a market
share of 17% (2002: 18%) in the mid-size and large-van segment,
Mercedes-Benz Vans remained the market leader in Western Europe.
The new Viano and Vito van family was introduced in all European
markets and in Japan between September and December 2003.
These vehicles are especially attractive with their appealing design
and model variety. Following in the footsteps of the Sprinter, which
has been equipped with the Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
as standard since the end of 2002, all Viano and Vito models also
feature ESP. By taking these steps, DaimlerChrysler is once again
setting a benchmark for vehicle safety.
In January 2003, we launched the Sprinter in the North American
market under the Dodge brand. Since mid-2001, it had already
been offered in the US with the Freightliner nameplate. A total of
10,800 Dodge and Freightliner Sprinters were sold in North America
during 2003.
In 2003 we reached an agreement with Volkswagen (VW) covering
the future production of the VW LT3 model. We had already agreed
on a licensing contract for the development of a successor to
the Sprinter/LT2 in 2002. The new Sprinter and the VW LT3 are to
be manufactured at the plants in Düsseldorf and Ludwigsfelde.
A total of €300 million is to be invested in the expansion of the
Ludwigsfelde facility.
Off-highway engines successful despite difficult market. Under
the management of MTU Friedrichshafen, DaimlerChrysler’s Off-
Highway business unit increased its revenues by 5% to €1.7 billion.
In 2003, we further strengthened our market leadership in the field
of yacht engines. And the business unit once again demonstrated
its technological leadership with its new Series 890 high-performance
diesel engines for military applications. In the field of fuel-cell
development, MTU CFC Solutions GmbH was founded in 2003 and
subsequently entered into a joint venture with RWE. Five stationary
high-temperature fuel cells, so-called hot modules, have meanwhile
been installed, and series production is planned for 2006.
New alliances formed in Asia. In March 2003, to strengthen its
presence in Asia’s rapidly growing commercial-vehicle market,
DaimlerChrysler acquired a 43% stake in Mitsubishi Fuso Truck &
Bus Corporation (MFTBC) from Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
(MMC). Effective April 2003, this holding is included at equity in
the results of the Commercial Vehicles division with a three-month
time lag. Business developed very positive in Japan during 2003,
partially because new exhaust-emission regulations for trucks in
metropolitan areas caused companies to bring forward planned
vehicle purchases.