Mercedes 2004 Annual Report Download - page 22

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The company
DaimlerChrysler AG was formed in November 1998 as a result of
the merger between Daimler-Benz AG and Chrysler Corporation.
The Group can look back on a tradition of more than one hundred
years, featuring pioneering achievements in automotive engineering
by both of its predecessor companies. Today, DaimlerChrysler is
a leading supplier of superior passenger cars, sport-utility vehicles,
minivans and pickups, and the world’s largest manufacturer of
commercial vehicles. In addition, DaimlerChrysler holds a 33%
interest in the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company
(EADS), one of the world’s leading companies in the field of
aerospace and defense technology.
With its strong brands and a comprehensive portfolio of automo-
biles ranging from small cars to heavy-duty trucks, supplemented
by tailored services along the automotive value chain, Daimler-
Chrysler is active in nearly all countries in the world. The Group
has production facilities in a total of 20 countries. The worldwide
networking of research and development activities and of its pro-
duction and sales locations gives the Group considerable potential
to enhance efficiency and gain advantages in an internationally
competitive environment.
Of DaimlerChrysler’s total revenues of €142.1 billion in 2004,
33% was generated by the Mercedes Car Group, 35% by the
Chrysler Group, 23% by Commercial Vehicles, 8% by the Services
division and 1% by the Other Activities segment.
The products supplied by the Mercedes Car Group range from
the high-quality small cars of the smart brand to the premium
vehicles of the brands Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz AMG and
Mercedes-Benz McLaren, and the Maybach luxury sedans.
Most of these vehicles are produced in Germany, but the division
also has production facilities in the United States, France,
South Africa, Brazil, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and in
the future also China. Its most important markets in 2004 were
Germany with 32% of unit sales, the other markets of Western
Europe (35%), the United States (18%) and Japan (3%).
The Chrysler Group develops, produces and distributes passen-
ger cars, minivans, sport-utility vehicles and light trucks of the
brands Chrysler, Jeep®and Dodge. In addition, the Chrysler Group
manufactures and markets spare parts and accessories of the
MOPAR brand. Its production facilities are in the United States,
Canada and Mexico. In 2004, 82% of its vehicles were sold in the
United States, 8% in Canada and 4% in Mexico. 6% of the vehicles
were exported to markets outside the NAFTA region.
Within a worldwide network, DaimlerChrysler’s Commercial
Vehicles Division develops and produces trucks, vans and bus-
es under the brands Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Sterling,
Western Star, Setra, Thomas Built Buses, American LaFrance,
Orion and Mitsubishi Fuso. The product range covers small vans,
medium and heavy-duty trucks for local and long-distance
deliveries and for construction sites, as well as tourist, urban
and overland buses. It also supplies special-purpose vehicles, for
fire services for example, as well as the Unimog multi-function
vehicle. DaimlerChrysler offers its customers worldwide the right
commercial vehicle for every requirement. The division’s most
important sales markets are North America with 25% of unit sales
in 2004, Germany with 16%, the other markets of Western
Europe with 23%, Asia with 18%, and South America with 8%.
The Services division supports the sales of the DaimlerChrysler
Group’s automotive brands in 39 countries. Its product portfolio
mainly comprises tailored financing and leasing packages for
dealers and customers, but it also provides services such as
insurance and fleet management. The focus of Services’ activities
is in North America and Western Europe. In Germany, in addition
to automotive financial services, the division also offers investment
products and credit-card services. DaimlerChrysler Services
also holds a 45% interest in the Toll Collect consortium, which on
January 1, 2005, launched a new electronic toll system for
trucks over 12 metric tons in Germany.
Business and
General Conditions
Mercedes Car Group 33%
Chrysler Group 35%
Commercial Vehicles 23%
Services 8%
Other Activities 1%
In %
Consolidated Revenues by Division