Mercedes 2008 Annual Report Download - page 39

July
Earnings outlook impacted by global economic slowdown.
On the occasion of publishing its financial results for the second
quarter, Daimler reduces its full-year target for EBIT from ongoing
operations (excluding Chrysler) to over €7 billion.
September
Alternative drive systems presented at IAA Trucks. Daimler
presents eleven commercial vehicles with alternative drive systems
in Hanover, including three world premieres from Mercedes-
Benz Trucks: the Axor BlueTec Hybrid, the Econic NGT Hybrid with
natural-gas drive and the Econic BlueTec Hybrid using a diesel
engine.
E-mobility project starts in Berlin. In a shared initiative, Daimler
and RWE start the world’s biggest joint venture for climate-
friendly electric vehicles. This cooperation between companies
in different sectors combines the specialized expertise of two
key industries (see page 92).
October
Financial and economic crisis reflected by quarterly results.
The ongoing worsening of the world economy leads to lower
earnings and an adjustment of full-year EBIT anticipated from
continuing operations excluding Chrysler to over €6 billion.
Prizes for the Sindelfingen plant. The Sindelfingen plant recei-
ves the J.D. Power Platinum Award for the best quality shipped
worldwide. And the trade magazine “Production” awards it the title
of “Factory of the Year” for excellent quality management.
Daimler Truck North America presents its plan for optimiza-
tion and repositioning. With this comprehensive program, the
Group is reacting to sustained weakness of demand in the entire
industry and structural changes in its core markets (see page 48).
Series production of new four-cylinder diesel engine starts in
Untertürkheim. The new-generation engine combines driving
pleasure with excellent fuel consumption of 5.2 liters per 100 kilo-
meters and carbon-dioxide emissions of 138 grams of CO2per
kilometer. The engine’s modular construction allows a wide range
of applications.
Start of car2go mobility concept . With car2go, Daimler gives a
pioneering answer to the problem of rising traffic volumes in urban
areas. The pilot phase begins in Ulm and tests the concept with
the smart fortwo under real conditions (see page 92).
November
World champion for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. Lewis
Hamilton clinches the drivers’ world championship in the last corner
of the Brazil Grand Prix. Vodafone McLaren Mercedes takes
second place in the constructors’ championship.
December
Management and labor council agree on short-time work.
In order to adjust production to the difficult market situation,
plant-specific reductions in working time are agreed upon with
the employee representatives for the first quarter of 2009.
This includes the introduction of short-time work.
Daimler concludes strategic partnership with Kamaz. Our
10% equity interest in Russia's biggest-selling truck manufactu-
rer represents Daimler's entry into the high-volume Russian
market and is part of our growth strategy in the BRIC markets.
Daimler and Evonik establish strategic alliance. A new part-
nership is formed to accelerate the research, development
and production of cells for lithium-ion batteries: a milestone on
the way to the series production of electric vehicles.
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