Mercedes 2006 Annual Report Download - page 48

The DaimlerChrysler Group
DaimlerChrysler AG was created in November 1998 through the
merger of Daimler-Benz AG and Chrysler Corporation. The Daimler-
Chrysler Group can look back on a tradition covering more
than one hundred years and featuring pioneering achievements in
automotive engineering by both of its predecessor companies.
Today, DaimlerChrysler is a leading supplier of superior passenger
cars, sport-utility vehicles, sports tourers, minivans and pickups,
as well as the world’s largest manufacturer of trucks over 6 tons
and buses over 8 tons. DaimlerChrysler also holds an equity
interest in the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company
(EADS), one of the world’s leading companies in the field of
aerospace and defense technology.
With its strong brands and a comprehensive portfolio of vehicles
ranging from small cars to heavy trucks, supplemented by tailored
services along the automotive value chain, DaimlerChrysler is active
in nearly all of the world’s countries, and has production facilities
in a total of 21 countries. The worldwide networking of research
and development activities and production and sales locations
gives DaimlerChrysler considerable potential to enhance efficiency
and gain advantages in an internationally competitive market.
Of DaimlerChrysler’s total revenues of €151.6 billion in the year
2006, 33% was generated by the Mercedes Car Group, 31% by
the Chrysler Group, 19% by the Truck Group, 9% by the Financial
Services division and 8% by the Van, Bus, Other segment.
At the end of 2006, DaimlerChrysler employed more than
360,000 people worldwide.
The products supplied by the Mercedes Car Group range from
the premium vehicles of the Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz
AMG and Mercedes-Benz McLaren brands to the Maybach luxury
sedans and the high-quality small cars of the smart brand.
Most of these vehicles are produced in Germany, but the division
also has production facilities in the United States, France,
South Africa, Brazil, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia
and since the year 2006 also in China. The Group’s most
important markets in 2006 were Germany with 28% of unit sales,
the other markets of Western Europe (34%), the United States
(20%) and Japan (4%).
The Chrysler Group develops, produces and sells passenger cars,
sports tourers, minivans, sport-utility vehicles and light
trucks under the Chrysler, Jeep®and Dodge brands. In addition, the
Chrysler Group manufactures and markets spare parts and
accessories under the MOPAR brand. Most of its production
facilities are in the United States, Canada and Mexico, but
the production of Chrysler Group vehicles in China is also gaining
importance. In 2006, 79% of its vehicles were sold in the
United States, 8% in Canada, 5% in Mexico and 8% of its vehicles
were exported to markets outside the NAFTA region.
As the world’s leading truck manufacturer, the Truck Group
develops and produces vehicles within a worldwide network
under the brands Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner, Sterling, Western
Star, Thomas Built Buses and Mitsubishi Fuso. The division’s
main production facilities are in North America, Western Europe,
Latin America (excluding Mexico), Japan and Turkey. Its product
range covers light, medium and heavy trucks for local and long-
distance deliveries and construction sites, as well as the special
vehicles Unimog and Econic. Due to the close links, the Truck
Group’s product range also includes the buses of the Thomas
Built Buses and Mitsubishi Fuso brands. The division’s most
important sales markets in 2006 were the NAFTA region
(with 35% of unit sales), Western Europe (20%), Asia (27%) and
Latin America (excluding Mexico) with 7%.
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Business and Strategy