Mercedes 2013 Annual Report Download - page 160

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Earnings significantly above prior-year level. Worldwide,
Daimler Buses sold 33,700 buses and bus chassis in 2013
(2012: 32,100). With this growth of 5%, the division confirmed
its leading position in its core markets for buses with a gross
vehicle weight of over eight tons.

D.07 Growth impetus was
provided above all by our core markets Western Europe and
Latin America. Revenue improved by 4% to €4.1 billion. EBIT of
plus €124 million was significantly better than in the previous
year (2012: minus €221 million). In 2012, expenses of €155 million
were incurred for the reorganization of the North American
and European business systems. Those measures and other
measures taken in Latin America adversely affected EBIT
by €39 million in 2013.
Positive impact of the “GLOBE 2013” growth and efficiency
program. In 2012, we launched the “GLOBE 2013” growth
and efficiency campaign in order to utilize additional growth
potential and to strengthen the division’s competitiveness,
especially in Europe. Daimler Buses successfully completed this
program by the end of 2013 and implemented the related
measures. They include the systematic further development
of our European production network, the reduction of variable
costs and the optimization of fixed costs. Some of the mea-
sures will take effect in 2014. Growth in our core markets and
in new markets was supported by a new-customer offensive
and a new system of market management. Measures taken in
the after-sales business also contributed to growth.
Daimler Buses.
Numerous new products and the systematic continuation of the “GLOBE 2013” growth and
efficiency program contributed to the turnaround at Daimler Buses. Higher unit sales and further
efficiency progress led to a significant earnings improvement in financial year 2013. The division
thus confirmed its leadership in the core markets of Western Europe and Latin America. During the
year under review, the division focused on converting the entire European product range to Euro
VI-compliant exhaust-gas technology. Daimler Buses set new standards in the luxury coach segment
with the presentation of the new Setra TopClass 500.
D.07
Daimler Buses
2013 2012 13/12
Amounts in millions of euros % change
EBIT 124 -221 .
Revenue 4,105 3,929 +4
Return on sales (in %) 3.0 -5.6 .
Investment in property,
plant and equipment
76
82 -7
Research and
development expenditure
thereof capitalized
181
3
222
23
-18
-87
Production 34,467 31,384 +10
Sales 33,705 32,088 +5
Employees (December 31) 16,603 16,901 -2
D.08
Unit sales by Daimler Buses
2013 2012 13/12
% change
Total 33,705 32,088 +5
Western Europe 6,714 5,851 +15
thereof Germany 2,440 2,039 +20
Mexico 2,959 3,477 -15
Latin America (excluding Mexico) 19,118 17,800 +7
Asia 1,704 1,886 -10
Other markets 3,210 3,074 +4