Mercedes 1999 Annual Report Download - page 45

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COMMERCIAL VEHICLES
39
The DaimlerChrysler Commercial Vehicles division is
the world’s leading producer of commercial vehicles.
It is also an internationally-recognized manufacturer of
top-quality components. Our global production and
development spans locations in Europe and North and
South America. In 1999 our success continued.
Thanks to a fresh and innovative product line, sales
and revenues rose to record levels for the sixth
consecutive year. We were also able to further boost
operating profit. The Commercial Vehicles division was
particularly successful in North America and was also
able to strengthen its market position in Europe.
MARKETS IN WESTERN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA
CONTINUE TO DEVELOP FAVORABLY. While the commercial
vehicle markets of Western Europe and North America
continued to experience favorable growth, demand in South
America fell considerably as a result of the economic crisis
affecting the region. Markets also performed poorly in some
countries of Southeast Asia, Turkey and Eastern Europe.
GROWTH CONTINUED. The Commercial Vehicles division
continued growing in 1999. Unit sales and revenues rose to
record levels for the sixth consecutive year. Revenues in 1999
increased by 15% to €26.7 billion. Growth was particularly
vigorous in the US, where revenues rose by 53% to €9.2
billion. Germany also posted growth (+11% to €7.0 billion),
as did Western Europe (excluding Germany), where
revenues increased by 12% to €6.1 billion. Worldwide sales
rose to 554,900 (1998: 489,700) trucks, vans and buses of
the Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Sterling, Setra and Thomas
Built Buses brands. As a result of buoyant demand in North
America and Western Europe, the division was able to
slightly boost operating profit from €0.9 billion to €1.1
billion.
In October 1999, we restructured the division, creating five
business units with individual worldwide responsibility for
their brands and products: Mercedes-Benz Trucks; Mercedes-
Benz Vans; Mercedes-Benz/Setra Buses; Freightliner, Sterling,
Thomas Built Buses; and Powertrain.
HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL YEAR FOR MERCEDES-BENZ TRUCKS. In
the segment for vehicles over six metric tons, Mercedes-
Benz produces trucks for long-distance and local shipping, the
construction industry and for special uses. The vehicles in the
European product line—Actros, Atego, Econic and Unimog—are
notable for their economy, long maintenance intervals, and
1,075 1,067 946
26,882 26,695 23,162
775 770 832
833 827 714
551,473 492,643
554,929 489,680
90,082 89,711
99
US $
99 98
amounts in millions € €
Operating Profit
Revenues
Investments in Property,
Plant and Equipment
R & D
Production (Units)
Sales (Units)
Employees (Dec. 31)