Daimler sold 39,000 buses in 2007, up 8% on a year earlier. Daimler Buses represents the Mercedes-Benz, Setra and Orion brands.
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Bus chassis accounted for 26,600 units, up from 24,300 a year ago, while complete bus sales were 12,400 units, up four percent on 2006’s level of 11,900 units.
Sales in Europe were up by around six percent to 6,950 units. This gave Daimler Buses a market share of 26%. The group claims a 55% market share in Germany, up from 52% in 2006, will sales of 2,800 units.
“We set a new sales record once again in 2007,” said Harald Landmann, head of Daimler Buses. “And we successfully defended our position as the global leader for buses over eight tons GVW.”
He said that growth has come mainly from a sales and distribution offensive. “Due to this offensive, we reached significant successes in sales. Furthermore, we improved our profitability with our efficiency program, which was started in 2005; as a result, Daimler Buses is benchmark in its competitive landscape,” he said.
Recent events include the launch of the new Setra TopClass 400, and a revamped Mercedes-Benz bus line-up. This includes the new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Travel 65 minibus.
Daimler Buses claims to be world-wide market leader with hybrid buses. The Mercedes-Benz Citaro BlueTec with hybrid drive is currently in development, and will be brought to the market in 2009.
Daimler Buses aims is to strengthen its leading global position by entering emerging markets like Russia, India and China. “On those markets it is essential to offer the right products at the right point of time”, said Landmann.
In India Daimler recently announced a partnership with Sutlej Motors Ltd to manufacture coaches.
