The diesel theme obviously leaves traces behind Daimler. Group CEO
Dieter Zetsche announced in Berlin that he wanted to make even more pace
with the electromodels.
By Michael Gerster
 |
| Dieter Zetsche: The Daimler CEO (here at the 2015 Annual General Meeting) explains that emissions-free driving is the center of the strategy. (Photo: Daimler) |
At the shareholders' meeting in the City Cube in Berlin, Daimler CEO
Dieter Zetsche described emissions-free driving as the core of the
Group's strategy. "We are approaching this goal in ever greater steps," Zetsche told the
6,000 shareholders. By 2022, more than ten new electric cars will go
into series production. So far, the expansion of the electrofloat
should be carried out on this scale by 2025.
On the road, however, all resources for CO2 reduction would have to be
used. For this reason efficient combustion engines are an essential
part of the solution in the transitional period. It also applies that
modern diesel emit less CO2 than gasoline. The discussion about the
diesel has been the industry for a year and a half. "Clear rules and
transparent, more realistic test procedures are all the more important,"
says Zetsche.
"No infringement detected"
Zetsche also referred to the investigations of the Stuttgart Public
Prosecutor's Office due to possible manipulations and increased pollutant
values in Mercedes diesel engines. "Neither the
Kraftfahrtsbundesamt nor the Federal Ministry of Transport have found any
breach of applicable law as part of their measurements on our
vehicles." It is necessary to cooperate with all authorities.
In a voluntary service, Daimler is currently equipping around 46,000
V-Class and 211,000 vehicles of the compact class. Among other
things, the so-called thermal window is to be improved. At certain
temperatures, the exhaust gas cleaning is down-regulated to protect the
engine. The KBA had complained that this window was too wide in many
cars. Daimler is also targeting lawyers and public authorities in the
US, including misleading advertising on diesel cars.
Profit of the passenger car division is expected to rise
Daimler is paying a dividend of € 3.25 per share to shareholders this year
and therefore as much as in the previous year. The 2016 financial
year was the most successful in the company's history. For the first
time, the Group sold around three million vehicles, compared to 2.9
million in the previous year. Sales climbed from 149.5 to 153.3
billion euros. Operating profit reached EUR 14.2 billion (2015: EUR
13.8 billion).
Following a successful first quarter with double-digit growth in sales,
the company expects another record year. The profit in the passenger
car division is expected to be well above last year. Here, the
rendition-strong E-Class is likely to be noticeable in the first full year
of sales. The bus division also wants to lay again. In the case
of the Vans, on the other hand, high investments in the locations, new
products and future technology are noticeable. Despite a higher
sales, the profit is expected to fall sharply.
Trucksparte remains Sorgenkind
Sorgenkind remains the truck division, which is struggling in many
markets. Sales are expected to remain at the level of the previous
year, while the profit slightly declines. The reason for this is
expenses for a savings program of 500 million euros. It is still
unclear how the many claims for damages on the truck cartel will be
affected. An increasing number of forwarding companies have come
together to fulfill their demands. The Group emphasizes, however,
that these can not be derived from the EU cartel penalty.
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