Daimler profit almost doubles

Daimler Group’s net profit in the first quarter of the year almost doubled, reaching £891.8m/€1,086m (Q1 2013: £463.1m/€564m). Worldwide, the Group sold 565,800 vehicles in the first quarter, more than ever before, increasing its unit sales by 13% compared with the prior-year period. Despite unfavourable exchange rate developments, revenue increased by 13% to £24.2bn/€29.5bn.

Daimler Buses‘ first quarter unit sales of 6,700 buses and bus chassis were significantly higher than the 6,000 units sold in the first quarter of last year. Revenue increased by 14% to £705.4m/€859m. EBIT amounted to £43.5m/€53m (Q1 2013: -£25.5m/€31m) and return on sales was 6.2% (Q1 2013: -4.1%).