Mercedes 2013 Annual Report Download - page 33

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A | To Our Shareholders | Objectives and Strategy
We will begin manufacturing the C-Class and the GLA for the
local market in Brazil in 2016. Daimler Trucks is investing in the
modernization of its product program in Brazil in an effort
to further improve its strong market position there. At the same
time, the two production plants in São Bernardo do Campo
and Juiz de Fora are undergoing a modernization program.
In Russia, Europe’s biggest truck market, we are continuing
our expansion in cooperation with our partner Kamaz. In the
second half of 2013, Mercedes-Benz Vans began producing
the Sprinter Classic in Russia in cooperation with the commer-
cial vehicle manufacturer GAZ.
Daimler Trucks has been successfully manufacturing trucks
in India under the new BharatBenz brand name since June 2012.
We will launch additional new models on the market in 2014.
These products will allow Daimler to satisfy the rising demand
for robust and reliable trucks in India. Daimler Buses has
integrated all of its local business activities into Daimler India
Commercial Vehicles and is now setting up local bus pro-
duction operations.
The extension of our international production network is being
accompanied by the expansion of our international research
and development network in countries such as China and India.
Daimler Financial Services is gradually expanding its business
activities in line with the growth strategies of the automotive
divisions. Our expansion measures extend beyond the BRIC
countries to other growth markets outside the Western Europe,
North America and Japan.
Leading in green technologies and safety. Our goal as a
pioneer of automotive engineering is to make the future of
mobility safe and sustainable. Varying mobility requirements
call for different drive system solutions. Our portfolio here
ranges from optimized internal combustion engines to hybrid
drive systems and locally emission-free driving solutions.
As early as 2013, we were able to reduce the CO2 emissions
of newly registered vehicles from Mercedes-Benz Cars in
the European Union to an average of 134 grams per kilometer.
Our overall objective is to reduce the CO2 emissions of our
new car fleet in the European Union to an average of 125 g/km
by 2016.
Our new engines have enabled us to the lower fuel consumption
of the S-Class by approximately 20% compared with the
predecessor model. The S 500 PLUG-IN HYBRID, which will
be launched in the second half of 2014, will be the most
economical S-Class of all time. E see page 108 We are the
first automobile manufacturer in the world to use lithium-ion
batteries in a series-produced car with hybrid drive.
A.10
Strategic Pillars of Growth
Strengthening
Core Business
Growing
in New
Markets
Shaping
New Mobility
Services
A B
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The four Strategic Pillars of Growth at Daimler
Leading
in Green
Technologies
and Safety