Mercedes 2009 Annual Report Download - page 55

Overview of the Group | Important Events in 2009 | 51
Important Events in 2009
Second quarter of 2009 – Q2
Successful start of the new E-Class.
350,000 existing and potential customers
come to the presentation of this new car
in Germany. When deliveries begin, 50,000
orders have already been placed for the
E-Class sedan.
Cost savings of €4 billion announced.
Daimler decides on a comprehensive pack-
age of measures to reduce costs. The main
actions taken include a temporary reduction
in working hours.
Daimler takes over commercial vehicle
project in India. The Hero Group transfers
its 40% share of the joint venture “Daimler
Hero Commercial Vehicles Ltd.” to Daimler.
Nonetheless, Daimler Trucks will continue
to expand its activities in India.
Realignment of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and
Bus Corporation. MFTBC reacts to struc-
tural changes in the worldwide truck market.
Measures have been initiated with the aim
of improving earnings by €760 million per
annum as of 2011.
Enthusiastic response to S 400 HYBRID.
The world’s first series-production automo-
bile with hybrid drive and lithium-ion battery
meets with great customer interest.
Daimler acquires an interest in Tesla.
Tesla Motors Inc. is currently the only manu-
facturer selling battery-powered vehicles in
North America and Europe that are capable
of long journeys. Daimler and Tesla intend
to cooperate closely on battery systems, elec -
tric drive and several vehicle projects.
First quarter of 2009 – Q1
Daimler receives award for commitment
to innovation. In the context of the “29th
German Industry Innovation Prize,” Daimler
is awarded the “Decade Prize,” which is
given only every ten years, in recognition of
its long-term, consistent and successful
innovation strategy.
New truck plant opened in Mexico.
The new plant in Saltillo, Mexico, improves
Daimler Trucks’ competitive position on the
North American continent. Up to 30,000
Freightliner Cascadia trucks will roll off the
new assem
bly lines in Saltillo each year,
destined
for the US, Canadian and Mexican
markets.
Start of leasing business in China.
Mercedes-Benz Auto Finance China (MBAFC),
a subsidiary of Daimler Financial Services AG,
becomes the first auto financer to provide
vehicle leasing in China.
Aabar becomes a major Daimler share-
holder. Aabar Investments PJSC of Abu
Dhabi acquires 9.1% of the share capital of
Daimler AG by way of a
capital increase.
As a result, Daimler AG
receives a cash in-
flow of €1.95 billion.
Operating loss of €1.4 billion in first
quarter. The global financial and economic
crisis and the difficult market situation
have a significant impact on the Daimler
Group’s profitability in the first quarter
of 2009.