Daimler posts record unit sales and revenue in Q3, 2015

Daimler AG has reported successful implementation of its strategy and the setting of new records for unit sales and revenue in the third quarter.

With sales of 720,000 cars and commercial vehicles, the company sold 13% more vehicles between July and September 2015 than in the prior-year period. With sales of 508,400 units, Mercedes-Benz Cars had its strongest quarter to date. The Group revenue of €37.3 billion in the third quarter was 13% higher than in the same period of last year. Adjusted for exchange-rate effects, revenue rose by 7%.

The Group EBIT amounted to €3,661 million in the third quarter (-2%). The prior-year period was positively affected in particular by the sale of the stake in Rolls-Royce Power Systems Holding GmbH (RRPSH), resulting in a gain of €1,006 million. But Group EBIT from the ongoing business increased significantly by 31% to €3,657 million. The Net profit amounted to €2,415 million (Q3 2014: €2,821 million). Net profit attributable to the shareholders of Daimler AG amounted to €2,385 million (Q3 2014: €2,735 million). This led to earnings per share of €2.23 (Q3 2014: €2.56).

“We achieved a return on sales of 10% in the automotive business in the third quarter, and proved once again that we are pursuing the right strategy and are progressing with the right products and technologies. The results speak for themselves, unit sales and revenue are at record levels. We will do everything to put Daimler into the leading position,” said Dr Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

Mercedes-Benz Cars in particular was able to significantly surpass its earnings of the third quarter of last year, as a result of further growth in unit sales. The other automotive divisions also increased their earnings significantly compared with the prior-year period. Daimler Financial Services achieved higher third-quarter earnings than last year, primarily due to its increased contract volume.

“We continue to grow profitably and are continually developing our business model. Our financial strength and our solid balance sheet form the foundation for the successful continuation of our growth strategy. We are focusing on the steady expansion and renewal of the model range, innovative technologies and the utilization of market potential. After three-quarters of the year, we are well on the way to fulfilling our forecasts for 2015 and to completing this year as another extremely successful year,” said Bodo Uebber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG for Finance & Controlling and Daimler Financial Services.