Daimler Buses Expects Strong Growth in 2010

In a difficult overall market environment, unit sales at Daimler Buses in 2009 fell by 20 percent from the record figure for 2008, the manufacturer announced today. Daimler Buses, however, managed to increase sales in the US, Canada and Asia and also gained market share there. All in all, Daimler Buses achieved a global market share of 13 percent in the difficult year of 2009.

The feat achieved by Daimler Buses is reportedly due to a long-term strategy that encompasses the four core objectives of Operational Excellence/Efficiency, Growth in Established Markets, Growth in New Markets, and Technological Leadership.

“Our global scope and flexible and robust business model proved their effectiveness in a difficult situation and helped us to be Number One in terms of both sales and profitability. Daimler Buses was the world’s most profitable bus manufacturer in 2009 as well as one of the most successful automotive companies. We prepared ourselves well for the future in a difficult global market environment, and we will emerge from the crisis even stronger than we were before,” Hartmut Schick, Head of Daimler Buses stated today.

In order to generate additional growth in established markets, Daimler Buses is also increasing its investment in service and aftersales activities, in the successor generations of the existing product range, and in compliance with global environmental legislation and Euro 6.

Along with the growth it achieves in its established markets, Daimler Buses is also looking to profit from growth potential in emerging markets. The unit believes the most interesting opportunities are to be found in Russia, India, and China.

“Our goal is to grow twice as much as the world market as a whole,” said Schick.