Mercedes 2012 Annual Report Download - page 94

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3 | Management Report | Profitability
The most important projects at Mercedes-Benz Cars were
the additional models in the compact class and the new S-Class,
the new E-Class and the successor models of the C-Class.
In addition, we are continually working on new generations
of engines and alternative drive systems. Total research
and development expenditure at Mercedes-Benz Cars of €3.9
billion was once again higher than the high level of the prior
year (2011: €3.7 billion). Daimler Trucks invested €1.2 billion
in research and development projects (2011: €1.3 billion).
The main areas there were the Arocs (a new Mercedes-Benz
construction-site truck), the Antos (specially developed for
heavy-duty distribution transport), new medium and heavy-duty
engines, and successor generations of existing products.
The focus of R&D expenditure at Mercedes-Benz Vans was
on the successor models of the Vito and Viano and the
new generation of the Sprinter. The Daimler Buses division
concentrated its development activities on new products,
the fulfillment of new emission standards and alternative drive
systems.  3.26  3.27
The largest sites in our research and development network
are Sindelfingen and Stuttgart-Untertürkheim, in Germany.
Our research and development locations in North America and
Asia include Palo Alto, California and Portland, Oregon, as
well as the research center for information and communication
technology in Bangalore, India and the Global Hybrid Center
in Kawasaki, Japan. And a new Daimler research and development
center went into operation in Beijing during the year under
review. Furthermore, we collaborate with various renowned
research institutes worldwide and participate in international
exchange programs for young scientists.
Effective involvement of the supplier industry. In order
to achieve our ambitious goals, we collaborate intensively
with the research and development departments of supplier
companies. Particularly in view of rapid technological changes
in the automotive industry and the need to bring new tech-
nologies to market maturity as quickly as possible, it is essential
to coordinate our activities with supplier companies. But
within the framework of joint research and development work,
we ensure that core competencies in technologies important
for the future of the automobile and for the uniqueness of our
brands remain at the Group.
2,200 patents filed. Daimler newly registered a total of 2,200
patents in the year 2012 (2011: 2,175), most of which were
in the areas of drive systems and safety. More than 1,000 patent
applications related to the issue of emission-free mobility,
in particular electric drive systems using power from batteries
or fuel cells. In the coming years, we will further extend our
technology and innovation leadership across all products and
brands with the advantage of our industrial property rights.
€5.6 billion for research and development. We intend to
continue playing an active part in shaping the technological
transformation facing the automotive industry with pioneering
innovations in the future. We therefore invested the large
amount of €5.6 billion in research and development, the same
as in the prior year. As in 2011 €1.5 billion of that amount
was capitalized. Research and development expenditure also
remained at a high level as a proportion of revenue, at a
rate of 4.9% (2011: 5.3%). Based on our “Road to Emission-free
Mobility” strategy, the main focus of our work was in the
area of new, extremely fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly
drive technologies in all automotive divisions.  3.25. We
worked on optimizing conventional drive technologies as well
as on achieving further efficiency improvements through
hybridization and with electric vehicles using fuel cells or batter-
ies. In order to further enhance the efficiency of our vehicles,
we are also improving other key automotive aspects – from
energy management to lightweight construction. Another focus
of our activities is on new safety technologies: In the context
of our “Vision of Accident-free Driving,” we are pursuing
the goal of avoiding accidents as far as possible and of alleviating
the consequences to occupants and other road users of any
accidents that might still occur.
Road to emission-free mobility
3.25
Energy for the future
Optimizing
our vehicles with
modern conventional
powertrains
Hybridization
for further increase
in efficiency
Locally emission-free
driving with electric
vehicles powered by
fuel cells or batteries
Clean fuels for internal
combustion engines
Energy sources for locally
emission-free driving