Mercedes 2009 Annual Report Download - page 131

Consistent implementation of Global Excellence Program.
The strategic orientation of Daimler Trucks has been laid down in
its Global Excellence Program since 2005. In addition to focusing
on the right products and utilizing new growth areas, the emphasis
on managing market cycles proved its worth in crisis year 2009.
With the new instruments developed by the division, it was possible
to flexibly adjust production at the division’s plants for commer-
cial vehicles and major components to the sharp drop in demand.
The programs for the repositioning of Daimler Trucks’ activities in
North America and Asia are also a result of the Global Excellence
Program.
With the establishment of two 50-50 joint ventures with Kamaz,
the market-leading truck manufacturer in Russia, Daimler Trucks
took a major step toward its goal of expanding in new markets
with growth potential. The purpose of Fuso Kamaz Trucks Rus is
to produce and market the Fuso Canter light-duty truck. The
second joint venture, Mercedes-Benz Trucks Vostok, will market
Mercedes-Benz trucks and buses as well as Setra coaches, and
will start assembly of the heavy-duty Mercedes-Benz Actros and
Axor trucks in the second quarter of 2010. The production plants
of both joint ventures are in Naberezhnye Chelny, where Kamaz
has its headquarters.
Due to the economic situation, we were forced to realign our oper-
ations in India last year. In April 2009, we acquired the Hero
Group’s 40% share of the joint venture Daimler Hero Commercial
Vehicles Ltd. and founded Daimler India Commercial Vehicles
Pvt. Ltd.
Shaping Future Transportation. Launched in 2007, the “Shap-
ing Future Transportation” initiative focuses on future product
generations and technologies. The initiative is part of the Global
Excellence Program. We are a globally leading manufacturer of
commercial vehicles because of our products’ low fuel consump-
tion, substantially reduced emissions of all kinds, and highest
possible standards of traffic safety.
In addition to developing clean and fuel-efficient drive systems,
we are carrying out research in the area of alternative fuels. In
early June 2009, we presented the preliminary results of a pilot
test of fuels produced from sustainable resources.
As is the case with environmental protection, Daimler Trucks is also
a pioneer in the field of safety, and pursues a vision of accident-
free driving. In September, we presented the new-generation
Mercedes-Benz Safety Truck and delivered the 10,000th Mercedes-
Benz Actros truck with the Active Brake Assist emergency braking
system (see page 41).
Divisions |Daimler Trucks |127
The development of “green technologies” such as those applied in the Mercedes-Benz Atego BlueTec Hybrid enjoys top priority at Daimler Trucks.