Daimler Trucks sees record sales in 2018, double-digit growth in India, Brazil, NAFTA

2018 has turned out to be the most successful year in the history of Daimler Trucks to date, with record unit sales, revenue and earnings (EBIT). Daimler’s truck division increased its unit sales by 10 percent to 517,300 vehicles in the year under review – its highest unit sales (2017: 470,700).

Daimler Trucks recorded double-digit sales growth rates in major markets and regions such as the NAFTA region, Brazil and India. At 38.3 billion euros, revenue was also significantly higher than in the previous year (2017: 35.8 billion euros). The division’s EBIT reached another record level of 2,753 million euros in 2018, up by 16 percent on the previous year’s figure of 2,383 million euros. Its return on sales was 7.2 percent (2017: 6.7 percent). The positive earnings trend was mainly the result of higher unit sales in the NAFTA region and the systematic implementation of efficiency improvements. By the end of 2018, Daimler Trucks had achieved earnings improvements of 1.4 billion euros that will be fully effective in 2019.

Daimler Trucks is cautiously optimistic for 2019: The global commercial-vehicle industry leader anticipates a slight increase in unit sales – assuming that overall market conditions remain favorable worldwide – and aims to achieve a return on sales of 7 to 9 percent for the current fiscal year.

“2018 was the most successful year in the history of Daimler Trucks. We took advantage of tailwinds in key markets and achieved new highs for unit sales, revenue and earnings. Our results for 2018 prove that we have the right products and services for the most diverse markets and regions. Our customers move the world – and our shared task at Daimler Trucks & Buses in 2019 will be to provide them with the best possible support,” said Martin Daum, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Trucks & Buses.

2019: Well positioned for further sales growth
Daimler Trucks says it is well positioned for 2019 in the most important markets and regions worldwide. In North America, it is about to launch the new Freightliner Cascadia – the first series-produced truck capable of partially automated driving in the United States. In Brazil, Mercedes-Benz do Brasil is once again the market leader and is benefiting from a recovering market. Mercedes-Benz will further strengthen its leading position in Europe with the launch of the new Actros in June 2019.

With its BharatBenz brand, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles is the only globally active manufacturer to be successful in the Indian market. Since the start of production (2012), Daimler India Commercial Vehicles has delivered more than 100,000 trucks from its plant in Chennai. Every fifth vehicle went to one of approximately 50 export markets. With about 22,500 units sold last year, India was one of the five most important markets for Daimler Trucks.

Daimler Trucks Asia will open its new Design Center at FUSO in Tokyo in March 2019. Like its sister brands Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner, the FUSO Super Great will be able to drive in partially automated mode (Level 2) from November onwards. In China, the world’s largest truck market, Daimler Trucks and its joint venture partner Foton sold more than 100,000 locally manufactured Auman trucks last year.