Despite worsening market conditions Daimler Trucks is expecting to sell more trucks in 2008 than it did in 2007.
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Speaking at the international truck trade show, the IAA Nutzfahrzeuge, in Hannover, head of Daimler’s truck operations, Andreas Renschler, said that the volume would be up slightly because Daimler Trucks sales are growing fast outside the triad markets.
In the first eight months of the year order intakes are up three percent on a year ago. Bus sales are currently at a record high level.Last year Daimler Trucks sold 467,700 vehicles.
The division has nevertheless had to lower its profit forecasts for the year because of high raw material costs and sharp downturn in US and Japanese markets and is now forecast earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of EUR2bn, down from EUR2.1bn a year earlier.
The bus and light truck elements of the business are less affected by the changes in market conditions than the heavy truck business.
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By GlobalDataDaimler Trucks is experiencing particularly high growth in emerging markets. In the first eight months of the year sales in Latin America are up 17% and sales in eastern Europe are up 14%. In the near and middle east Daimler sales have grown by 11%, hile in south east Asia sales are up 60%.
According to Automobilwoche, Renschler is putting the environment at the top of his list of priorities for future growth. While competition will doubtless be fierce in emerging markets, with new competitors emerging, the biggest challenge is to get the right balance between transport and climate protection. Renschler is convinced there are solutions and that innovation is key. “In short: with green vehicles we will be in the black,” said Renschler.
Daimler is showing eleven alternative-powered trucks at the IAA including a hybrid prototype and a hybrid combined with a natural gas engine.
