Daimler hopes to return to profit in 2010

Daimler AG has published its financial results for 2009, and despite a better performance in the second half, the group’s EBIT is still negative at -1.513 billion EUR, of which -1.001 billion were recorded by the Daimler Trucks division alone. The Mercedes-Benz Vans division, by contrast, was able to benefit from better market conditions at the end of the year and posted a positive EBIT of 26 million EUR. The group will not be paying any dividend. For 2010 the group only forecasts a mixed recovery for HGV’s, with a more marked recovery in the NAFTA zone, although this follows three years of decreases.

In Europe, Daimler believes that the light utility market will develop a little better than in 2009, but that the over 6 tonnes market will stay at the same level as last year. Within this context Daimler Trucks is set to achieve a positive EBIT of 200 million EUR in 2010 and Mercedes-Benz Vans 250 million EUR.