Ottima trimestrale per Daimlerchrysler

[daimlerchrysler]

Significant Increase in DaimlerChrysler’s

Third-Quarter Operating Profit to

EUR 1.8 billion (+38%)

Group revenues up 9% to EUR 38.2 billion

Net income of EUR 755 million

(Q3 2004: EUR 951 million)

Earnings per share of EUR 0.74

(Q3 2004: EUR 0.94)

Excluding charges related to realignment of the smart business model, Group operating profit for full year still expected to increase slightly compared with 2004 (EUR 5.8 billion)

Stuttgart, Germany / Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA, Ocotber 25, 2005

DaimlerChrysler (stock-exchange abbreviation DCX) recorded an operating profit of EUR 1,838 million in the third quarter, compared with EUR 1,332 million in the same period of last year. All automotive divisions contributed to this positive development.

The Group posted third-quarter net income of EUR 755 million (Q3 2004: EUR 951 million). The increase in operating profit was partially offset by higher income-tax expenses and financial expenses. Last year’s third quarter net income was positively influenced by a tax-free income from the sale of the interests in Hyundai Motor Company. Earnings per share amounted to EUR 0.74, compared with EUR 0.94 in the third quarter of 2004.

In the industrial business, DaimlerChrysler was able to maintain the very solid net liquidity position reached in the second quarter.

Strong increase in unit sales and revenues

Due primarily to the market success of new products from the Mercedes Car Group and the Chrysler Group and a significant increase in unit sales by the Commercial Vehicles Division, compared with last year’s third quarter figures, DaimlerChrysler increased its worldwide unit sales by 9% to 1.2 million vehicles.

As a result of the higher unit sales, DaimlerChrysler’s third-quarter revenues increased by 9% to EUR 38.2 billion.

At the end of this year’s third quarter, DaimlerChrysler employed a workforce of 388,014 people worldwide (end of Q3 2004: 386,195).

Details of the divisions in the third quarter of 2005

The Mercedes Car Group’s third-quarter unit sales of 310,900 vehicles were 6% higher than in 2004. Revenues reached EUR 12.5 billion (+3%).

Operating profit surpassed the prior-year level at EUR 436 million (Q3 2004: EUR 304 million), continuing its positive earnings trend. The better profitability was due in particular to the new products and the efficiency-improving measures.

The positive effects on earnings from increased unit sales were partially offset by the unfavorable model mix due to the S-Class model changeover.

In the third quarter of this year, the Mercedes-Benz brand increased its unit sales by 10% to 282,100 vehicles. The new M-Class and B-Class were again very successful, selling 21,300 and 23,000 units, respectively. Sales of the A-Class soared compared with the prior-year quarter (+125%), while the E-Class increased by 3%. Additional sales stimulus is also anticipated in the fourth quarter due to the launch of the new S-Class and the introduction of the R-Class in the United States.

The new S-Class, which sets a new benchmark with approximately a dozen pioneering innovations, made its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Feedback was exceptionally positive.

Mercedes-Benz also presented the European version of the R-Class and the ML 63 AMG - the high-performance version of the new M-Class.

At the end of September, the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG approved a package of measures to be taken to reduce personnel levels at the Mercedes Car Group in Germany by 8,500 jobs. The staff reductions are to be achieved by means of voluntary severance agreements over the next twelve months. These measures will help to achieve much-needed advances in productivity and competitiveness for the Mercedes Car Group. Most of the anticipated charges of approximately EUR 950 million are expected to be taken in the fourth quarter of 2005.

Unit sales by the smart brand totaled 28,800 vehicles in the third quarter (Q3 2004: 36,500). During the first nine months of the year, dealers’ inventories were reduced significantly. Third-quarter retail sales amounted to 30,800 vehicles (Q3 2004: 36,000).

The implementation of the measures for the realignment of the smart business model, initiated on April 1, 2005, is making progress. In 2005, smart has already reduced fixed costs by a quarter. In addition, the functions of procurement and supply as well as design and some IT functions have been integrated into the Mercedes-Benz organization.

The Chrysler Group’s worldwide third-quarter retail sales increased by 13% to 736,200 vehicles. The increase was due to the market success of new products as well as the attractive sales program for employees extended to all customers in the United States and Canada. Global unit sales (factory shipments) were 12% above the prior-year quarter, totaling 663,400 vehicles.

Revenues rose by 12% to EUR 12.9 billion; when measured in US dollars the increase was also 12%.

As a result of increased shipments, the Chrysler Group continued its positive earnings development by posting an operating profit of EUR 310 million in a difficult market environment (Q3 2004: EUR 217 million). The positive effects were partially offset by a slight negative net pricing.

At the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Chrysler Group presented the Dodge Caliber and the Dodge Nitro, two new models that will be launched in the US and Europe in 2006. Two concept vehicles were introduced: the Jeep® Compass and the Jeep® Patriot.

In September 2005, the Chrysler Group announced its intention to license production in China of the Chrysler 300C sedan as well as a minivan to be sold in the Chinese and Taiwanese markets from the end of 2006. An investment of EUR 300 million is planned for this project.

Also in September, the division and the National Automobile, Aerospace, Transportation and General Workers Union of Canada (CAW) agreed on a three-year contract covering approximately 11,400 employees in Canada. The new agreement provides for moderate wage, pension and benefit increases for employees and allows management more flexibility in staff deployment, which the Chrysler Group believes will allow for improved productivity in its plants.

The Commercial Vehicles Division once again increased unit sales in the third quarter with sales of 210,400 vehicles surpassing the high level of Q3 2004 by 9%. Revenues also continued their rise to EUR 10.6 billion (+15%).

The division continued the positive trend of this year and increased its third-quarter operating profit from EUR 159 million to EUR 498 million. The result for Q3 2004 was impacted by expenses related to the quality measures and recall campaigns at Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC).

The positive development of the truck business also continued in the third quarter of 2005. Unit sales by the Trucks Europe/Latin America business unit (Mercedes-Benz) of 37,000 trucks were slightly higher than in the same quarter last year (+3%). Unit sales by the Trucks NAFTA business unit (Freightliner, Sterling, Thomas Built Buses, Western Star) increased by 22% to 48,300 vehicles, primarily as a result of strong demand for Class 8 heavy-duty trucks. MFTBC increased its unit sales by 6% to 46,000 trucks and 2,200 buses. Sales of 64,200 vehicles by the Vans business unit were 7% higher than in Q3 2004. The DaimlerChrysler Buses business unit sold 9,200 vehicles and chassis, 9% more than in last year’s third quarter.

In September, the Commercial Vehicles Division presented the second generation Mercedes-Benz Travego coach, the Mercedes-Benz urban and regional bus, the Citaro Low Entry, and the new Setra regional bus MultiClass 400.

The Financial Services division posted an operating profit of EUR 408 million, compared with EUR 412 million in the prior-year quarter. The stable earnings situation in the third quarter was primarily due to the continuing positive development of risk costs partially offset by a higher level of interest rates, especially in the United States, and lower charges from the involvement in Toll Collect (EUR 15 million; Q3 2004: EUR 119 million).

Contract volume increased by 8% to EUR 113.4 billion; after adjusting for exchange-rate effects the increase amounted to 5%. At the end of the quarter under review, the worldwide portfolio comprised a total of 6.4 million vehicles. New business decreased from EUR 14.7 billion to EUR 11.8 billion.

In the ‘Americas’ region, the division increased its contract volume by 8% to EUR 82.7 billion. Adjusted for exchange-rate effects the growth amounted to 4%. Contract volume of EUR 30.7 billion in the region of Europe, Africa, Asia/Pacific exceeded the high level of last year’s third quarter. In China, Financial Services received official approval to establish a financing company. In Germany, DaimlerChrysler Bank’s attractive products enabled it to further increase the proportion of Group vehicles sold that are leased or financed by the Group. Contract volume grew by 6% to EUR 14.8 billion. DaimlerChrysler Bank provided services to 973,000 customers, 7% more than a year earlier.

The toll-collection system for trucks on German autobahns operates smoothly.

Other Activities achieved a third-quarter operating profit of EUR 242 million, compared with EUR 258 million in 2004. The prior-year result included exceptional income from the agreement reached with Bombardier to settle all disputes relating to the sale of DaimlerChrysler Rail Systems GmbH (Adtranz). The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) made an increased contribution to the Group’s operating profit in the past quarter, due in part to higher deliveries of Airbus aircraft. EADS will publish its third-quarter figures on November 9, 2005.

The DaimlerChrysler Off-Highway business unit posted third-quarter revenues of EUR 514 million, exceeding the last year’s result by 17%.

Incoming orders of EUR 592 million were also significantly higher than in Q3 2004 (EUR 434 million).

In September, DaimlerChrysler reached an agreement with the minority shareholders of MTU Friedrichshafen to acquire their 11.65% interest in that company, thus increasing DaimlerChrysler’s ownership of MTU Friedrichshafen to 100%. In mid-October, the bidding process opened for the intended sale of MTU Friedrichshafen.

Outlook for full-year 2005

DaimlerChrysler assumes that dynamic growth in demand for passenger cars will continue in the emerging markets, while only slight growth is expected for the markets of North America, Western Europe and Japan. Global demand for commercial vehicles is expected to further increase in the fourth quarter. Prospects are still generally positive in the United States, while demand may weaken slightly in Western Europe. The Group expects a slight increase in demand for commercial vehicles in Japan, while emerging markets should continue their dynamic development. In view of further reductions in model lifecycles and continuing over-capacity, DaimlerChrysler does not expect any alleviation of the intensely competitive pressure in the automobile industry.

Compared with 2004, DaimlerChrysler still expects a slight increase in unit sales for full-year 2005.

The Mercedes Car Group is confident that the positive unit-sales trend will continue in the fourth quarter. Stimulus is expected from the M-Class and the B-Class as well as from the new S-Class, which was launched in Europe in September. The division assumes that unit sales for the full year will be of the same magnitude as in 2004, while retail sales are expected to rise.

The Chrysler Group anticipates a continuation of the tough competition in the North American market during the fourth quarter. Due to the continued success of its attractive products, the division expects full-year unit sales to surpass last year’s figure.

The Commercial Vehicles Division assumes that unit sales will remain stable in the fourth quarter. Due particularly to the strong demand for trucks, unit sales are expected to increase substantially in full-year 2005.

The Financial Services division anticipates moderate growth in contract volume in 2005.

EADS expects the recovery of the market for civil aircraft to continue in the fourth quarter. Incoming orders in the full year should significantly exceed last year’s figure. EADS plans to deliver more than 360 Airbus aircraft in 2005 (2004: 320).

The DaimlerChrysler Group anticipates a significant increase in revenues in 2005.

Compared with the end of 2004, the Group’s workforce is expected to grow slightly, although the headcount at the Mercedes Car Group should decrease slightly by the end of this year. Year-end employment levels at the Commercial Vehicles Division should be higher than at the end of last year.

Earnings in full-year 2005 will be impacted above all by the less favorable dollar-euro exchange rate and hedging rates than in the prior year, as well as by increases in raw-material prices. An additional factor is that over the next twelve months, DaimlerChrysler expects to incur costs of EUR 950 million in connection with workforce adjustments at the Mercedes Car Group. Most of this expense is expected to be recorded in the fourth quarter of 2005.

DaimlerChrysler assumes that the expenditure for headcount reductions will be offset by income from special items and improvements in the ongoing business. Therefore, the earnings guidance for full-year 2005 remains unchanged: The Group continues to expect a slight increase in operating profit compared with the prior year (EUR 5.8 billion), excluding charges related to the realignment of the smart business model

[daimlerchrysler]

In breve

Il risultato è ottimo 1,8 miliardi di utile operativo +38%

Mercedes ha avuto un risultato spettacolare nonstante le fortissime perdite di Smart. I nuovi modelli stanno funzionando e nel 2006 grazie alla ristrutturazione delle fabbriche tedesche Mercedes dovrebbe tornare a utili superiori a 2 miliardi di euro.

Chrysler è riuscita ad aumentare i profitti nonstante il clima ipercompetitivo negli Usa. Per capire l' eccezionale risultato di Chrysler basta ricordare che Gm in Nord america nel terzo trimestre ha perso 1,2 miliardi di euro mentre Ford ne ha persi 0,9.

I veicoli commerciali registrano un utile di 498 milioni di euro superiore a quello di diverse case europee. I servizi finanziari sono stabili e le partecipazioni approfittano del buon andamento di Airbus. Il Q4 dovrebbe essere migliore rispetto a quello del 2004 grazie alla vendita di Mtu Friedrichshafen ( valutata 1,6 miliardi di euro) e nonstante i costi di ristrutturazione di Mercedes ( 950 milioni di euro)

[Matteo B.]

cmq smart rimane sul gobbone......comincia a puzzare un'pò...

[daimlerchrysler]

Puzza molto non poco. Nel 2005 Mercedes ha dovuto pagare 1,2 miliardi per la ristrutturazione più 500-600 milioni di euro di perdite.

[Carlo159]

gli utili (la cosa + importante ) calano

[daimlerchrysler]

Gli utili operativi salgono del 38%. Gli utili netti ( 751 milioni di euro) scendono perchè l' anno scorso Daimlerchrysler aveva venduto la sua partecipazione in Hyundai durante il terzo trimestra ricavandone circa 500 milioni di euro netti. Il risultato del Q3 2004 era 951 milioni di eur. Tolti i guadagni straordinari l' utile netto è salito. A parte il risultato netto devi confrontare Daimlerchrysler con i suoi competitori americani che nel terzo trimestre hanno registrato perdite pesanti. Chrysler è l' unico costruttore americano in attivo.I veicoli commerciali hanno registrato quasi 500 milioni di euro di utile operativo, rendendo questa divisione la prima al mondo nel settore per vendite ed utili.