Mercedes 2015 Annual Report Download - page 150

B | COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT | OUTLOOK 157
The workforce
Due to the growth in unit sales and revenue that we expect for
2016, production volumes will continue rising. At the same
time, the efficiency-enhancing measures we have implemented
at all divisions in recent years will now take full effect. The
medium- and long-term programs for structural improvements
of our business processes should facilitate further efficiency
progress. Against this backdrop, we assume that we will be able
to achieve our ambitious growth targets with only slight work-
force growth. Additional jobs are likely to be created at compa-
nies that we operate together with Chinese partners and
whose employees are not included in the figures for the Daimler
Group.
Overall statement on future development
We have implemented our strategy with great determination in
recent years, thus creating the basis for further growth:
- We are very well positioned in our markets with innovative
products and services. We are increasingly succeeding in
addressing new target groups and utilizing additional market
potential.
- In the technologies that are decisive for the future of individual
mobility, we have achieved a competitive advantage with
pioneering innovations.
- Also in the field of drive systems, we meanwhile set the
standards with our cars and commercial vehicles. For example,
we reduced the average CO2 emissions of the cars we sell
in the European Union to 123 g/km in 2015, thus achieving the
target set for 2016 of 125 g/km ahead of time. With new
and highly efficient engines and the particularly economical
plug-in hybrids and new electric vehicles, we will significantly
reduce CO2 emissions in the coming years.
- We have assumed a leading role in the automotive industry
with the digitization of our products and processes.
- With the efficiency programs that have been implemented in
all divisions in recent years, we have improved our cost
structures on a sustained basis. On that basis, we are taking
measures for the long-term and structural optimization
of the business system, which will facilitate further efficiency
gains in the coming years.
- We have continuously expanded our worldwide production
network in recent years, thus creating the right conditions
for further growth.
- We have significantly increased our investment in the future
of the Company on the basis of sound finances.
Against this backdrop, we look to the year 2016 with confidence.
Everything indicates that we will continue along our growth
path. We anticipate higher unit sales, revenue and earnings than
in the previous year.
Forward-looking statements:
This document contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current
views about future events. The words “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,”
“estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “can,” “could,” “plan,” “project,” “should”
and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements.
These statements are subject to many risks and uncertainties, including an
adverse development of global economic conditions, in particular a decline
of demand in our most important markets; a worsening of the sovereign-debt
crisis in the euro zone; an increase in political tension in Eastern Europe;
a deterioration of our refinancing possibilities on the credit and financial mar-
kets; events of force majeure including natural disasters, acts of terrorism,
political unrest, armed conflicts, industrial accidents and their effects on our
sales, purchasing, production or financial services activities; changes in
currency exchange rates; a shift in consumer preferences towards smaller,
lower-margin vehicles; a possible lack of acceptance of our products or
services which limits our ability to achieve prices and adequately utilize our
production capacities; price increases for fuel or raw materials; disruption
of production due to shortages of materials, labor strikes or supplier insol-
vencies; a decline in resale prices of used vehicles; the effective implemen-
tation of cost-reduction and efficiency-optimization measures; the business
outlook for companies in which we hold a significant equity interest; the
successful implementation of strategic cooperations and joint ventures;
changes in laws, regulations and government policies, particularly those
relating to vehicle emissions, fuel economy and safety; the resolution of
pending government investigations and the conclusion of pending or
threatened future legal proceedings; and other risks and uncertainties,
some of which we describe under the heading “Risk and Opportunity
Report” in this Annual Report. If any of these risks and uncertainties materi-
alizes or if the assumptions underlying any of our forward-looking state-
ments prove to be incorrect, the actual results may be materially different
from those we express or imply by such statements. We do not intend or
assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements since
they are based solely on the circumstances at the date of publication.