Mercedes 2012 Annual Report Download - page 134

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3 | Management Report | Outlook
Research and development
With our research and development activities, our goal is
to further strengthen Daimler’s competitive position against
the backdrop of upcoming technological challenges. We
want to create competitive advantages above all by means
of innovative solutions for low emissions and safe mobility.
In addition, we intend to utilize the growth opportunities offered
by worldwide automotive markets with new and attractive
products that are tailored to the needs of our customers.
In the years 2013 and 2014, Daimler plans to spend a total
of €10.8 billion on research and development activities.
 3.49  3.50 This means we are at the high level of the years
2011 and 2012. Research and development expenditure
at Mercedes-Benz Cars of €7.6 billion will be in the magnitude
of the two previous years. Key projects are the successor
models to the C- and E-Class and the new smart models. We are
also investing substantial sums in new, low-emission and
fuel-efficient engines, alternative drive systems and innovative
safety technologies. As some important product and engine
projects have meanwhile been realized, research and develop-
ment expenditure at Daimler Trucks will be lower than the
high level of previous years. The focus here will remain on devel-
oping and adapting new engine generations in order to fulfill
increasingly stringent emission regulations, as well as on succes-
sor generations for existing products. The further develop-
ment of engines to fulfill future emission standards is an impor-
tant area of research and development also at Mercedes-Benz
Vans and Daimler Buses. Alternative drive systems also play
an important role, in particular at Daimler Buses.
Workforce
Due to the anticipated business development, production
volumes will continue increasing in the years 2013 and 2014.
At the same time, we will significantly increase our efficiency
and thus also productivity as a result of the programs we are
carrying out in all divisions. Against this backdrop, we assume
that we will be able to achieve our ambitious growth targets with
a largely stable workforce. New jobs will tend to be created
in the international growth markets.
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,” “plan,” “project,” “should” and similar
expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. These state-
ments are subject to many risks and uncertainties, including an adverse devel-
opment 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; a deterioration of our funding possibilities on the credit and
financial markets; events of force majeure including natural disasters, acts
of terrorism, political unrest, industrial accidents and their effects on our
sales, purchasing, production or financial services activities; changes in currency
exchange rates; a shift in consumer preference towards smaller, lower
margin vehicles; or a possible lack of acceptance of our products or services
which limits our ability to achieve prices as well as to adequately utilize
our production capacities; price increases in 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 implementation
of cost-reduction and efficiency-optimization measures; the business out-
look of companies in which we hold a significant equity interest; the success-
ful 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 governmental
investigations and the conclusion of pending or threatened future legal proceed-
ings; and other risks and uncertainties, some of which we describe under
the heading “Risk Report” in this Annual Report. If any of these risks and uncer-
tainties materialize, or if the assumptions underlying 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.