Mercedes 2010 Annual Report Download - page 123

Management Report | Outlook | 119
Research and development
With our research and development activities, our goal is to further
improve Daimler’s competitive position against the backdrop of
upcoming technological challenges. We want to create competitive
advantages by means of innovative solutions for low emissions
and safe mobility. In the years 2011 and 2012, Daimler plans to
spend a total of €10.3 billion on research and development activi-
ties. This is approximately €1.3 billion more than in the years 2009
and 2010. We intend to increase our research and development
spending at Mercedes-Benz Cars once again. The main projects
are the successor models for the A- and B-Class, the M-Class
and the S-Class, as well as new engines and alternative drive sys-
tems. Research and development expenditure at Daimler Trucks
will remain at a high level. The focus will be on developing and
adapting new engine generations in order to fulfill increasingly
strict emission regulations, as well as on successor generations
for existing products. The further development of engines
for future emission standards is an important area of research
and development at Mercedes-Benz Vans and Daimler Buses.
Alternative drive systems also play an important role, in
particular at Daimler Buses.
In addition to the aforementioned projects, Daimler has set aside
substantial amounts in its research budget for new technologies
with which we intend to achieve a sustained improvement in the
safety, environmental compatibility and economy of road traffic.
Research and development expenditure
2009 2010 2011-2012
In billions of euros
Daimler Group 4.2 4.8 10.3
Mercedes-Benz Cars 2.7 3.1 6.4
Daimler Trucks 1.1 1.3 2.7
Mercedes-Benz Vans 0.2 0.3 0.8
Daimler Buses 0.2 0.2 0.4
Workforce
Against the backdrop of rising production volumes and the tar-
geted productivity advances, Daimler assumes that the total
number of persons employed by the Group will increase slightly
in the years 2011 and 2012.
Forward-looking statements in this annual report:
This document contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current
views about future events. The words “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “esti-
mate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “should” and similar expres-
sions 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 impor-
tant markets; a deterioration of our funding possibilities on the credit and finan-
cial markets; changes in currency exchange rates; a shift in consumer prefer-
ence towards smaller, lower margin vehicles; or a possible lack of acceptance of
our products or services, which may limit our ability to implement prices as well
as to adequately utilize our production capacities; price increases in fuel, raw
materials; disruption of production due to shortages of materials, labor strikes,
or supplier insolvencies; a decline in resale prices of used vehicles; the effective
implementation of cost-reduction and efficiency-optimization measures; the
business outlook of companies in which we hold a significant equity interest,
most notably EADS; the successful implementation of strategic cooperations
and joint ventures; changes in laws, regulations and government policies, partic-
ularly those relating to vehicle emissions, fuel economy and safety; the resolu-
tion of pending governmental 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 Report” in Daimler’s Annual Report.
If any of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or if the assumptions under-
lying any of our forward-looking statements prove incorrect, then our 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. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date
on which it is made.
Mercedes-Benz Cars 62%
Daimler Trucks 26%
Mercedes-Benz Vans 8%
Research and development expenditure 2011–2012
In %
Daimler Buses 4%