Mercedes 2013 Annual Report Download - page 35

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A | To Our Shareholders | Objectives and Strategy
We are also investing in strategic partnerships with various
startup companies such as Flixbus and mytaxi. In the area
of innovative services, we are testing and expanding several
systems, in particular those based on digital and networked
platforms. Such services include an online portal for vehicle-
financing customers in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the
“Detroit Connect” service system for our trucks in the United
States. “Detroit Connect” conducts onboard diagnoses of
the vehicles. At its central service center, the engine manu-
facturer Detroit uses the collected data to ensure that the
next workshop visits of these vehicles will be as smooth and
quick as possible. Last but not least, we are conducting pilot
projects to test online car sales systems. Within the framework
of “Digital Life,” we are linking working environments, corpo-
rate and brand communications, customers, products and new
business opportunities.
In this manner, we are working on vehicle-related concepts
to shape the future of mobility, while also promoting growth
in all of our segments, markets and businesses.
Extensive investments in the future of the company.
In the coming years, we will systematically move ahead with
our investment offensive in order to implement our growth
strategy through the introduction of new products, new technol-
ogies, and state-of-the-art manufacturing capacities. In the
years 2014 and 2015, we therefore will invest approximately €11
billion in property, plant and equipment, as well as €11 billion
in research and development projects.

A.11 to A.14
The property, plant and equipment investment will be used
mainly to prepare for the production launches of our new
models, to modernize our manufacturing facilities in Germany,
to expand local production in growth markets, and to enhance
our sales organization. E see page 96
Most of our outlay for research and development is used for
new products as well as innovative drive systems and safety
technologies. We will launch approximately 30 new car models
by the year 2020 and will also systematically further develop
our range of commercial vehicles. Furthermore, we intend to
continue significantly reducing the fuel consumption, and
thus the CO2 emissions, of our vehicles, and to set standards
for safety and autonomous driving. E see pages 106 f
Investment in property, plant and equipment
2012 2013 2014 – 2015
Amounts in billions of euros
Daimler Group 4.8 5.0 10.7
Mercedes-Benz Cars 3.5 3.7 8.1
Daimler Trucks 1.0 0.8 2.0
Mercedes-Benz Vans 0.2 0.3 0.4
Daimler Buses 0.1 0.1 0.2
Daimler Financial Services 0.02 0.02 0.03
A .12
Research and development expenditure 2014 – 2015
In %
A.13
Mercedes-Benz Cars 70%
Daimler Trucks 22%
Mercedes-Benz Vans 5%
Daimler Buses 3%
Research and development expenditure
2012 2013 2014 – 2015
Amounts in billions of euros
Daimler Group 5.6 5.4 11.0
Mercedes-Benz Cars 3.9 3.8 7.7
Daimler Trucks 1.2 1.1 2.4
Mercedes-Benz Vans 0.4 0.3 0.6
Daimler Buses 0.2 0.2 0.3
A .14
Investment in property, plant and equipment 2014 – 2015
In %
A.11
Mercedes-Benz Cars 75%
Daimler Trucks 19%
Mercedes-Benz Vans 4%
Daimler Financial Services 0.3%
Daimler Buses 2%