Daimler details of the divisions
Unit sales of 559,500 vehicles by Mercedes-Benz Cars in the third quarter of 2018 were significantly below the high level of the prior-year period. In Europe, 223,600 vehicles of the Mercedes-Benz and smart brands were sold in the months of July through September (-12%), of which 72,100 were sold in Germany (-13%). In China, the division’s biggest market, a new record was set of more than 170,400 units sold, surpassing the previous record in the third quarter of last year by 11%. Sales in the United States decreased to 76,000 units (-8%).
Daimler Trucks achieved unit sales of 136,100 vehicles in the third quarter of 2018, surpassing the prior-year number by 8%. In the NAFTA region, truck sales increased significantly to 52,700 units (Q3 2017: 45,300). In Latin America, sales of 9,800 units surpassed the prior-year level (Q3 2017: 8,000). 6,000 vehicles were sold in the Brazilian market (+63%). Sales in the EU30 region (European Union, Switzerland and Norway) increased to 21,900 units (Q3 2017: 20,900). Unit sales in Germany rose to 8,700 trucks (Q3 2017: 8,100). The weakening of the Turkish market was clearly reflected by third-quarter sales, which were substantially lower than in the prior-year quarter at 900 trucks (Q3 2017: 3,400). Deliveries of trucks in Asia increased to 42,300 units (Q3 2017: 40,000). Sales of 17,800 units in Indonesia were about 50% above the prior-year level. Also in India, sales of 5,300 trucks were significantly higher than in the third quarter of last year (Q3 2017: 4,900). Sales in Japan decreased to 10.700 units due to the general market development there (Q3 2017: 11,900). Sales of Auman Trucks by the joint venture in China decreased to 23,000 units (Q3 2017: 30,000).
Unit sales by Mercedes-Benz Vans of 91,400 vehicles in the third quarter of 2018 were 2% lower than in the same period of last year. This was due, among other things, to delays in the delivery of Vito, V-Class and Sprinter models. In the EU30 region, Mercedes-Benz Vans’ unit sales decreased by 3% to 57,000 vehicles. Sales of 22,400 units in Germany were 5% below the prior-year level. The development was positive in the NAFTA region, where sales reached the new record of 13,000 units in the third quarter (Q3 2017: 12,600). Unit sales in the United States rose by 1% to 9,600 vehicles. In Latin America, sales increased by a significant 13% to 4,700 units, primarily driven by the significant market recovery in Brazil. In China, Mercedes-Benz Vans further improved its position and posted its strongest-selling third quarter so far, with sales of 7,400 units (+9%). This was mainly due to the great success of the V-Class and Vito models.
Unit sales by Daimler Buses in the third quarter of 2018 increased by 7% to 7,700 buses and bus chassis. In the EU30 region, Daimler Buses’ sales of complete buses and bus chassis of the Mercedes-Benz and Setra brands increased significantly to 2,100 units (+15%). In Latin America (excluding Mexico), sales of 3,400 units were below the prior-year level (Q3 2017: 3,600), despite stronger demand in Brazil. In Mexico, 900 units were sold (+4%). In India, the bus division achieved significant sales growth to 420 units (Q3 2017: 280).
Source : Strategic Research Institute