Daimler Trucks

The Daimler Trucks division achieved EBIT of €1,607 million in 2008 (2007: €2,121 million); its return on sales was 5.6% compared with 7.5% in the prior year.

The reduction in EBIT was primarily due to lower vehicle shipments as a result of the ongoing difficult economic situation in the NAFTA region. Additional negative factors were currency effects and increased raw-material prices. The measures initiated in 2008 to optimize and strengthen the business operations of Daimler Trucks North Americaresulted in expenses of €233 million. There were positive effects on earnings from higher unit sales of trucks in Brazil and Asia, good product positioning and further efficiency improvements. Adjustments of pension benefit plans led to gains of €29 million in 2008 and €86 million in 2007. The prior-year result also includes a gain on the sale of real estate properties in Japan (€78 million).