DAIMLER BUSES: 2007 SALES SURPASS 2006
Worldwide sales by Daimler Buses in 2007 totalled 39,000 units from the Mercedes-Benz, Setra, and Orion brands, which corresponds to an eight-percent increase from the high sales figure recorded in the prior year. Bus chassis increased its sales by 9.5% to 26,600 (2006: 24,300) units, while complete buses business achieved a sales increase of 4% to 12,400 (2006: 11,900) units.
In Europe, where the overall market for buses remained stable, Daimler Buses increased sales by around five percent to 9,100 units (2006: 8,700), boosting its market share from 21 percent to 22 percent. The unit also further consolidated its leading position on the in total weaker German bus market, by increasing its market share from 52 percent in 2006 to 55 percent last year, with sales in Germany rising nearly eight percent to 2,800 units (2006: 2,600).
The Latin American bus market on the whole grew at the remarkable rate of 23.5 percent in 2007, and Daimler Buses boosted its sales in this key market by more than 20 percent to 20,100 units (2006: 16,700). Market share in Latin America declined slightly to 47 percent (2006: 49 percent) due to overall market developments.
The market for buses remained stable in the NAFTA region, where Daimler Buses North America sold 6,100 units last year (2006: 6,300). Market share in NAFTA totaled 34 percent (2006: 35 percent ). In December 2007, Daimler Buses North America - the world market leader for hybrid buses - received orders totaling 1,052 Orion VII Next Generation hybrid urban buses from two of North America’s largest transit authorities. The buses, which are powered by the HybriDrive® diesel-electric hybrid system produced by BAE Systems, will be delivered to the customers between now and 2010.
In the fall of 2007, Daimler Buses presented the first prototype of a Mercedes-Benz Citaro urban bus equipped with a diesel-electric hybrid drive. The Mercedes-Benz Citaro BlueTec Hybrid will begin test operations with the SSB transportation company in Stuttgart in 2008; the series production launch of this bus is scheduled for 2009.
To further consolidate its leading global position in the segment for buses over eight tons GVW, Daimler Buses has been investing in entering the Indian market. Toward this end, the unit launched a partnership with the Indian company Sutlej Motors Ltd in September 2007. Already this year, the two companies will begin manufacturing luxury coaches for the Indian market. The vehicles will be based on Mercedes-Benz bus chassis.