Mercedes 2003 Annual Report Download - page 62
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Please find page 62 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.Executive Automotive Committee
Central management instrument for the global automobile business |High synergy potential through
the use of shared module concepts |Implementation of Asian strategy
Divisions | Mercedes Car Group | Chrysler Group | Commercial Vehicles | Executive Automotive Committee | Services | Other Activities
Continuation of multi-brand product and production planning.
DaimlerChrysler will launch more than 50 new passenger car
models and light trucks by the year 2006. In order to ensure an
optimal application of resources across the divisions and an
optimal coverage of all segments, product concepts for the next
ten years have been compared and a long-range product-develop-
ment plan has been developed. In connection with the long-range
powertrain plan, which will optimize the shared development and
use of DaimlerChrysler’s engine families, it forms a basis for
long-term, worldwide production planning by the Group’s passenger-
car divisions. This will further improve not only efficiency and
capacity utilization, but also flexibility between DaimlerChrysler’s
production facilities.
Synergy potential identified for components and systems.
DaimlerChrysler has already realized substantial savings potential
by standardizing parts and components which are suitable for use
by several brands and by combining the corresponding purchasing
volumes. Last year, in connection with the commodity strategy,
the procurement and development departments identified further
parts and components which have the potential to be standardized.
EAC successfully continues its cross-divisional coordination.
The Executive Automotive Committee (EAC) successfully continued
its work in the year 2003 and pushed forward with the imple-
mentation of cross-divisional decisions. As a key management instru-
ment for DaimlerChrysler’s global automobile business, the EAC
concentrates on the following areas of activity:
– Identifying cross-divisional synergy potential by standardizing
processes and systems and by further developing modular
concepts for vehicle components
– Coordinating cross-divisional product concepts and production
capacities
– Group-wide planning for the application of new technologies
– Coordinating global sales and marketing activities
– Maintaining and further strengthening the identity and the
uniqueness of the Group’s car brands
With the development of modular concepts and the standardization
of key processes, the EAC has created the right conditions for the
shared use of engines, vehicle components and technologies by
the various divisions. Cooperation between the divisions benefits
the development of new models. In order to avoid diluting brand
identity, we adhere to the principle that only such parts are shared
which are non-essential in defining a brand's character.