Mercedes 2006 Annual Report Download - page 57

Sales by the Vans unit of 256,900 vehicles (-4%) were slightly
lower than in the prior year due to the model changeover for the
Sprinter and the related dip in production. The new Sprinter
was given a very positive reception by the market: 59,400 of the
new model had already been sold by the end of 2006. In total,
sales of the Sprinter amounted to 157,200 units (2005: 164,000).
With the Vito/Viano series, the positive business development
continued with sales of 94,100 units (2005: 90,900). Of the Vans
unit’s total sales, 180,600 units were sold in Western Europe
(2005: 188,300) and 28,500 in the NAFTA region (2005: 28,100)
(see page 96).
Worldwide units sales by DaimlerChrysler Buses reached the
previous year’s level at 36,200 buses and chassis of the
Mercedes-Benz, Setra and Orion brands. In Europe, we maintained
our leading position with sales of 8,700 units in a growing market
(+4%) and a market share of 22% (2005: 22%). In Latin America
(excluding Mexico), sales increased by 14% to 17,100 units
and market share reached 48% (2005: 49%). In the NAFTA region,
we sold 6,300 buses and chassis in a shrinking market (2005:
6,700) (see page 97).
The Financial Services division continued its positive development
in 2006 and further improved its market position. New business
increased by 10% to €53.0 billion. Contract volume of €113.3 billion
was 4% lower than in the prior year; adjusted for the effects of
currency translation, there was an increase of 5%. At the end of
2006, the portfolio comprised 6.5 million leased and financed
vehicles. All regions contributed to the positive business develop-
ment. Worldwide, the focus of our international activities was
on further enhancing efficiency as well as customer and dealer
satisfaction (see page 94 f).
Management Report | Business and Strategy | 41
In % Change in
%-points
Overview of market share
+0.1
-0.2
+0.2
+0.1
–0.6
–0.3
–0.7
–0.2
–2.1
–2.9
–2.1
+0.6
+2.2
-0.2
-1.0
-1.2
-6.5
4.5
10.0
1.7
0.9
13.2
7.0
18.1
22.2
42.5
36.1
23.5
31.3
23.2
16.2
26.8
26.4
58.7
4.6
9.8
1.5
1.0
12.6
6.7
17.4
22.0
40.4
33.2
21.4
31.9
25.4
16.0
25.8
25.2
52.2
2006 2005
Mercedes Car Group (excl. smart)
Western Europe
thereof Germany
United States
Japan
Chrysler Group
United States
Cars USA
Light trucks USA
Truck Group
Medium and heavy trucks
Western Europe
thereof Germany
Heavy trucks NAFTA
Medium trucks NAFTA
Medium and heavy trucks
Brazil
Trucks Japan
Vans
Medium and heavy vans
Western Europe
thereof Germany
Buses
Heavy buses Western Europe
thereof Germany
06/05