Mercedes 2008 Annual Report Download - page 105

Success at IAA Commercial Vehicles 2008. The 62nd Interna-
tional Motor Show (IAA) for Commercial Vehicles was once
again a very successful event for Daimler Buses. A highlight at
the IAA was the newly introduced Active Brake Assist system
in the current Mercedes-Benz Travego and the Setra TopClass 400.
In addition, the Mercedes-Benz Citaro G BlueTec Hybrid was
presented; Daimler Buses is working hard to launch this vehicle
on the market in the near future.
Opening of new spare-parts logistics center. At the beginning
of 2008, the new spare-parts logistics center in Neu-Ulm was
opened to supply the worldwide service organization with bus-
specific spare parts. The center’s new warehouse management
system will significantly improve spare-part availability and cus-
tomer service.
Market launch in India. In India, Daimler Buses now cooperates
with Sutlej Motors on the production and distribution of buses.
As the first joint project, a new Mercedes-Benz intercity luxury
coach was launched in India in September 2008. Our local
partner will manufacture the vehicle body for the chassis deliv-
ered by Mercedes-Benz. Through this joint venture, Daimler
Buses is entering an important growth market in Asia.
Chrysler
Start of negotiations with Cerberus. In 2008, Chrysler LLC
sold 2,010,800 vehicles of the Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep brands
worldwide (2007: 2,679,200).
Since mid-2008, Daimler has been conducting talks with Cerberus
Capital Management concerning the sale of its 19.9% share in
Chrysler Holding LLC. These talks had not yet been concluded at
the time this report went to print at the end of February 2009.
EADS
Positive business developments in spite of negative factors.
EADS reported positive business developments overall in 2008.
Airbus and Eurocopter made a major contribution in this regard,
but the Astrium and Defence & Security Systems divisions were
also very successful in their respective market segments. Negative
factors affecting business were the weakness of the US dollar
and challenges related to the A400M program. EADS will publish
its results for the 2008 financial year on March 10, 2009.
Record level of deliveries. In 2008, Airbus received orders for
777 new aircraft (2007: 1,341) and delivered the new record
number of 483 planes to its customers, 12 of which were Airbus
A380. By December 31, 2008, the company’s order backlog
had risen to 3,715 commercial aircraft (2007: 3,421).
Tognum
Daimler acquires a stake in Tognum. In 2008, Daimler acquired
a 28.4% equity interest in Tognum AG for a total price of €702
million. With its Engines and Onsite Energy & Components divi-
sions, the Tognum Group is one of the leading global suppliers
of high-speed diesel engines and complete propulsion systems
for ships and heavy land and rail vehicles, as well as industrial
drive systems and decentralized energy systems.
Further growth in orders received and revenue. Tognum posted
increases in orders received as well as revenue in 2008. Both
of the company’s divisions contributed to these positive develop-
ments. Tognum will publish its final figures for the year 2008 on
March 26, 2009.
Bus of the Year 2009: The Setra S 415 NF performs extremely well in terms of practicality, workmanship, ideas and economy.
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