Significant increases in unit sales, revenue and EBIT following market recovery. Mercedes-Benz Vans sold 224,200 vehicles during the year under review. Thanks to recovering markets and increasing demand, unit sales of the Sprinter, Vario, Vito and Viano models were 35% higher than in 2009. At €7.8 billion (2009: €6.2 billion), revenue was also significantly higher than in the prior year. EBIT substantially increased from the prior year to €451 million (2009: €26 million).
Mercedes-Benz Vans records strong increase in unit sales. Mercedes-Benz Vans recorded major sales increases in Western Europe, our key sales market. At 156,800 vehicles, unit sales surpassed the prior year’s figure by 22%. The sales situation was particularly encouraging in key Western European markets such as the United Kingdom and France, which experienced an early and sustained recovery. As a result, unit sales there grew by 43% and 45% respectively. In Germany, unit sales increased by 7% to 62,200 vans. In Eastern Europe, the increase in unit sales by Mercedes-Benz Vans grew by a significant double-digit rate (+49%) in 2010.
Mercedes-Benz Vans’ new sales organization in the United States and Canada was very successful. Since the beginning of 2010, we have been selling the Sprinter under the Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner brands through our retail network in North America, which currently numbers around 180 dealers. We are benefiting from the market success of the Sprinter, whose outstanding technology, safety, efficiency and driving performance continually set new standards in its vehicle segment. During the year under review, unit sales in the NAFTA region rose to 13,300 vehicles (2009: 2,600).
Mercedes-Benz Vans sold 12,200 units in 2010 in the rapidly expanding Chinese market for high-quality vans and premium multi-purpose vehicles. A total of 10,700 of those vehicles were manufactured in China, where local production commenced in spring 2010. By starting local production, we have created the right conditions to quickly and successfully participate in one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing automotive markets.
In 2010, Mercedes-Benz Vans was also very successful in Latin America, where it increased its unit sales by 33% to 12,500 vehicles. Compared with the prior year, worldwide sales of the Sprinter rose by 37% to 143,700 units. The Vito and Viano models also posted increases, with unit sales rising by 34% to 77,600 vehicles during the start-up phase for the new vehicle generations.
Moreover, Mercedes-Benz Vans was able to maintain its market leadership in the European Union’s medium-sized and large van segments. The Sprinter did particularly well, achieving a market share of more than 18% of the large-van segment. This was the vehicle’s biggest market share since the expansion of the European Union to its present size.
First customer vehicle rolls off the assembly line in China. In 2010, Mercedes-Benz Vans steadily pursued its strategy, which entails growing in new markets in addition to expanding in traditional markets and maintaining its technological leadership. In 2007, we teamed up with Fujian Motors Group to form the first-ever van joint venture in China. The goal here is to leverage the growth potential of this important market. Since the start of manufacturing operations at the new plant in Fuzhou in April 2010, the 50:50 joint venture company Fujian Daimler Automotive (FDJA) has also been supplying the Chinese market with locally produced Vito and Viano vans. Beginning in 2011, we will also produce a bus version of the Sprinter in China.
Agreement reached on contract production of vans in Russia. In December 2010, we signed a memorandum of understanding with GAZ, a Russian manufacturer of commercial vehicles, on production of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in Russia. Engines, transmissions, axles and other components will also be produced locally, to be used in the Sprinter as well as in GAZ products.
Product lineup expanded. The wide-ranging strategic partnership established with Renault-Nissan in April 2010 also includes collaboration on light-duty commercial vehicles. This partnership is an important step for Mercedes-Benz Vans with regard to future projects and the expansion of its product range. In this context, we will add a completely new city delivery vehicle for commercial customers to our product lineup in 2012.
Product offensive launched at IAA Commercial Vehicles. In order to generate additional growth in existing markets, Mercedes-Benz Vans also invested in the modernization and expansion of its current product range during the year under review. As a result, we celebrated the world premieres of four new vans at the IAA Commercial Vehicles trade fair in Hannover, Germany. The new Vito for commercial use features a higher payload and is very robust, while the new Viano sets standards for safety, comfort and driving pleasure in a large van. The two models are also equipped with efficient, environmentally friendly and economical engines using BlueEFFICIENCY technology. As a result, they produce up to 15% less CO2 and consume up to 15% less fuel than the predecessor models.
In addition to the penetration of new growth areas, Mercedes-Benz Vans’ strategic approach focuses on the development of environmentally friendly technologies and safety systems. At IAA Commercial Vehicles, we also presented the Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL — the world’s first series-produced all-electric van. Thanks to its locally emission-free drive system, the Vito E-CELL is ideal for use in inner cities and areas with very sensitive environments. A small batch of approximately 70 Vito E-CELLs was produced during the year under review and handed over to customers in Berlin and Stuttgart for testing under everyday conditions. 2,000 of these vehicles are scheduled to go on the road by 2012. Another premiere was celebrated at the IAA by the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter LGT, which can run on either liquefied gas or gasoline.
Outstanding products impress experts and customers alike. In 2010, the great popularity enjoyed by Mercedes-Benz vans among customers and automotive experts alike was reflected by several awards. Our vehicles took first place in the overall Vans category of the annual image rankings conducted by the VerkehrsRundschau automotive magazine. And the Sprinter was ranked first among vehicles up to 3.5 tons gross vehicle weight in the readers’ choice poll conducted by EuroTransport Media and DEKRA to determine the best commercial vehicles of 2010.
