DaimlerChrysler has just released its numbers for the second quarter of 2006, and overall it was a good quarter for the company as a whole. DCX saw its operating profit in the second quarter rise 11 percent to $2.37 billion USD. The profits were made on the backs of the Mercedes Car Group, which saw its operating profit skyrocket from just $15.3 million a year ago to $1.03 billion in 2Q 2006. DCX's Truck Group and Financial Services also increased their operating profit.
And then there's the Chrysler Group, which did not fare as well as its kindred brands across the pond. Its operating profit fell nearly 91 percent from $692.4 million a year ago to just $64.9 million in 2Q 2006. That's what the suits call an "earnings retreat". The Chrysler Group's plunge comes in the midst of its summer sales blitz to clear out 2006 inventory, though the group is warning that Q3 will likely see an operating loss of around €0.5 billion due to costs incurred from launching eight new models. They predict The Chrysler Group will be back in the black for Q4 and that the year overall will be a positive one.
Of Note: the Supervisory Board of DaimlerChrysler extended Tom LaSorda's contract for another five years. Though his current contract didn't expire until April 30th, 2007, Lasorda will now maintain the title of Chrysler Group President and CEO until April, 30 2012.
(Follow the jump for a full press release from DCX on its 2Q earnings)
[Source: DaimlerChrysler, Automotive News]
Press release:
DaimlerChrysler: second-quarter operating profit increases to €1.9 billion
Stuttgart, Jul 27, 2006
In the second quarter of 2006, DaimlerChrysler (stock-exchange abbreviation DCX) increased its operating profit by 11% compared with the same period of last year to €1,857 million.
The earnings improvement was primarily due to the significant increase in operating profit achieved by the Mercedes Car Group. The Truck Group and Financial Services also improved their operating profit. In total, these increases more than offset the decrease in operating profit recorded by the Chrysler Group.
Net income amounted to €1,810 million (Q2 2005: €737 million). The mark-to-market valuation of derivatives to hedge the price risks of shares of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) had a positive impact on net income of approximately €800 million (after taxes). Earnings per share amounted to €1.77, compared with €0.73 in the second quarter of 2005. €0.78 of this amount resulted from the valuation gain related to the derivative contracts to hedge EADS shares.
Revenues at prior-year level
DaimlerChrysler sold 1.3 million vehicles in the second quarter, which was 3% lower than in Q2 2005.
The Group's total revenues of €38.6 billion were on par with the second quarter of 2005.
At the end of the second quarter of 2006, DaimlerChrysler employed 368,321 people worldwide (end of Q2 2005: 388,758). Of this total, 169,603 were employed in Germany and 97,518 in the United States (end of Q2 2005: 184,029 and 100,442, respectively).
Details of the divisions in the second quarter of 2006
The Mercedes Car Group sold 325,500 vehicles in the second quarter of this year, surpassing the figure for Q2 2005 by 6%. The Mercedes-Benz brand increased its second-quarter unit sales by 6% to 291,000 vehicles. smart unit sales of 34,500 vehicles were at the prior-year level. Revenues increased by 7% to €13.4 billion.
The Mercedes Car Group reported an operating profit of €807 million, a substantial improvement compared with the second quarter of last year (€12 million). The increase was caused by the division's higher unit sales (+17,400 vehicles) and an improved model mix, due to the full availability of the new S-Class and M-/R-Class. Within the frame-work of the CORE program, additional important efficiency-improving actions were implemented, which also had a significant positive effect on earnings.
CORE examines the Mercedes Car Group's entire value chain and develops it further – to make processes leaner and faster, to reduce costs and to continue improving quality.
The staff reductions planned at Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars led to additional expenses of €20 million. Furthermore, charges arising from the discontinuation of the smart forfour model reduced operating profit by €13 million; in the prior-year quarter, expenses of €311 million arose in connection with the realignment of the smart business model.
The new generation of the E-Class has been available since June. With all versions on sale, this car offers the most versatile model range in its market segment. In June, the CL-Class, the new luxury coupe from Mercedes-Benz, was presented to the press, which will be delivered to customers beginning in September. At the same time, the GL-Class, the first Mercedes-Benz full-size SUV, will be launched in Europe.
At the end of June, DaimlerChrysler announced that the successor to the smart fortwo is intended to be launched in the United States in 2008. For the U. S. launch, a cooperation with the United Auto Group is planned.
The Chrysler Group's worldwide retail and fleet sales in Q2 2006 totaled 713,600 units, a decrease of 9% compared with the second quarter of last year. Factory shipments decreased to 761,700 vehicles (Q2 2005: 812,200 vehicles).
Second-quarter revenues amounted to €12.5 billion (Q2 2005: €13.0 billion); measured in U.S. dollars, there was a decrease of 4%.
The Chrysler Group posted an operating profit of €51 million in the second quarter of 2006, compared with an operating profit of €544 million in the second quarter of 2005. The decrease in operating profit was primarily the result of a decrease in worldwide factory unit sales, a higher mix of fleet vehicles and negative net pricing.
The Chrysler Group improved its overall manufacturing productivity by 6% in 2005 and by 24% over the last four years, according to the Harbour Report North America 2006. These improvements were the largest of all automakers for the two periods.
The Chrysler Group's Chrysler and Dodge minivans led J. D. Power's 2006 Initial Quality Survey in the Van category, ranking first and third respectively for the entire industry.
Production of the all-new Jeep® Compass commenced in June 2006 at the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois. The first of these vehicles were shipped to dealers in the U.S. during July. The Chrysler Group will expand its product range with the launch of eight new models in the second half of the year.
Unit sales by the Truck Group of 138,600 units were slightly lower than in the prior-year period, while revenues climbed from €8.1 billion to €8.5 billion. The Truck Group increased its second-quarter operating profit by 34% to €551 million.
An improved model mix, as well as the efficiency-improving measures taken as part of the Global Excellence program contributed to these increased earnings.
Unit sales of 36,600 Mercedes-Benz brand vehicles by Trucks Europe/Latin America were 9% below the prior-year quarter. An increase in unit sales in Western Europe, particularly in Germany, was offset by lower sales in the Middle East and in Brazil. Unit sales by Trucks NAFTA of 53,000 vehicles under the Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star and Thomas Built Buses brands nearly reached the very high figure of the prior-year quarter (-2%). Mitsubishi Fuso's unit sales increased by 4% to 49,800 vehicles.
The Financial Services division continued its positive development in the second quarter of 2006, achieving an operating profit of €422 million (Q2 2005: €385 million). This increase in earnings was aided by the increased volume of business and the positive earnings trend at Toll Collect. These effects compensated the negative impact from the higher level of interest rates.
New business of €14.1 billion was 9% higher than in Q2 2005. Con-tract volume increased slightly by 1% to €115.3 billion; the increase amounted to 4% after adjusting for the effects of currency translation.
Contract volume of €83.8 billion in the Americas region (North and South America) was of the same magnitude as a year earlier. Adjusted for exchange-rate effects, the increase amounted to 4%. Contract volume of €31.4 billion in Europe, Africa, and Asia/Pacific exceeded the level of the prior-year quarter by 3%. In Germany, DaimlerChrysler Bank's contract volume increased by 6% to €15.5 billion.
The Van, Bus, Other segment posted a second-quarter operating profit of €159 million (Q2 2005: €277 million). Second-quarter operating profit included expenses of €145 million incurred for staff reductions in administrative functions in connection with the new management model.
As expected, Mercedes-Benz Vans' unit sales of 65,600 were 9% lower than the very high level of unit sales in the second quarter of last year. The reduction was mainly a result of the startup of the new Sprinter and the related production changes in the Düsseldorf and Ludwigsfelde plants in Germany.
Worldwide sales of buses and chassis by the brands Mercedes-Benz, Setra and Orion increased by 9% to 10,300 units in the second quarter.
The contribution to earnings from the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) also increased, mainly due to higher Airbus deliveries, to €231 million from €154 million in the prior-year quarter.
Outlook
Parallel to the development of the world economy, the dynamics of global demand for automobiles will probably decrease slightly. For full-year 2006, DaimlerChrysler, therefore, anticipates a growth rate simi-lar to that in 2005. Whereas automobile sales in the United States, the world's largest market, are likely to decrease slightly, demand should slightly increase in Western Europe and Japan. Car sales are expected to increase in nearly all of the larger emerging markets this year, with significant growth rates in some of those countries. Worldwide demand for commercial vehicles is likely to remain at a high level in the second half of 2006. However, risks will arise if oil and fuel prices continue to rise. The company assumes that competitive pressure in the automotive industry will remain intense as a result of worldwide over-capacity.
DaimlerChrysler continues to anticipate unit sales in 2006 in the magnitude of the prior year (2005: 4.8 million vehicles).
The Mercedes Car Group expects full-year unit sales at least as high as in 2005. The company assumes that unit sales by Mercedes-Benz will exceed last year's figure due to the brand's new products. The Mercedes Car Group will continue to effectively implement the CORE efficiency-improving program. The division therefore anticipates further earnings improvements in the coming quarters. The Mercedes Car Group is thus on track to achieve the 7% return on sales targeted for 2007.
In an unchanged difficult market environment, the Chrysler Group assumes that unit sales (shipments) in 2006 will be in the range of last year. The division will launch a total of ten new models this year, although a large number of them will not be available at dealerships until the second half of the year. The Chrysler Group will continue to implement its activities to improve productivity, quality and customer satisfaction. Due to high dealer inventories, the Chrysler Group intends to reduce production volumes and shipments to dealers in the third quarter. In addition, the upcoming model changeovers will cause downtime in certain plants. The development of earnings in the second half of the year will also be impacted by the launch costs of the eight new models. The division, therefore, anticipates a third-quarter operat-ing loss of up to €0.5 billion. The Chrysler Group then expects positive earnings once again in the fourth quarter as a result of the new models to be launched in the second half of the year. For full-year 2006, the Chrysler Group plans for a positive result.
The Truck Group assumes that full-year unit sales will remain stable. A high level of earnings should continue to be achieved, due not least to the efficiency improvements resulting from the Global Excellence program. There will be a positive impact on demand for trucks from upcoming stricter emission regulations planned in the core markets of Europe, the United States and Japan. The Truck Group is very well prepared for these changes, not the least due to its innovation leader-ship in Bluetec diesel technology.
The Financial Services division anticipates a continuation of its stable business and earnings development during the second half of the year. However, rising interest rates will be a challenge. The division intends to further improve its competitive position as a result of optimized processes, enhanced efficiency, comprehensive market coverage and even closer cooperation with the vehicle divisions and their dealer-ships.
The Vans unit expects lower unit sales than in 2005, due to the Sprinter model changeover. Unit sales of buses are likely to exceed the high level of the prior year. EADS continues to plan for a stable market for civil aircraft in the year 2006; Airbus deliveries are expected to increase again compared to the prior year.
The DaimlerChrysler Group anticipates a slight increase in revenues in full-year 2006 (2005: €149.8 billion).
Due to the implementation of the staff-reduction program, the number of persons employed by the Group will continue to decrease until the end of this year.
For full-year 2006, DaimlerChrysler continues to anticipate an operat-ing profit in excess of €6 billion. This figure includes charges for the implementation of the new management model (€0.5 billion), the focus on the smart fortwo (€1 billion), the staff reductions at the Mercedes Car Group (€0.4 billion), as well as gains on the disposal of the off-highway business (€0.2 billion), on the sale of real estate no longer required for operating purposes (€0.1 billion) and the release of provisions for retirement-pension obligations (€0.2 billion).
And then there's the Chrysler Group, which did not fare as well as its kindred brands across the pond. Its operating profit fell nearly 91 percent from $692.4 million a year ago to just $64.9 million in 2Q 2006. That's what the suits call an "earnings retreat". The Chrysler Group's plunge comes in the midst of its summer sales blitz to clear out 2006 inventory, though the group is warning that Q3 will likely see an operating loss of around €0.5 billion due to costs incurred from launching eight new models. They predict The Chrysler Group will be back in the black for Q4 and that the year overall will be a positive one.
Of Note: the Supervisory Board of DaimlerChrysler extended Tom LaSorda's contract for another five years. Though his current contract didn't expire until April 30th, 2007, Lasorda will now maintain the title of Chrysler Group President and CEO until April, 30 2012.
(Follow the jump for a full press release from DCX on its 2Q earnings)
[Source: DaimlerChrysler, Automotive News]
Press release:
DaimlerChrysler: second-quarter operating profit increases to €1.9 billion
- Net income of €1.8 billion (Q2 2005: €0.7 billion)
- Earnings per share of €1.77 (Q2 2005: €0.73)
- Net income and earnings per share include €0.8 billion and €0.78 respectively due to valuation gain related to the derivative contracts to hedge EADS shares
- Revenues of €38.6 billion at prior-year level
- Operating profit of more than €6 billion still anticipated for full-year 2006
- Figures for the 2nd Quarter 2006
Stuttgart, Jul 27, 2006
In the second quarter of 2006, DaimlerChrysler (stock-exchange abbreviation DCX) increased its operating profit by 11% compared with the same period of last year to €1,857 million.
The earnings improvement was primarily due to the significant increase in operating profit achieved by the Mercedes Car Group. The Truck Group and Financial Services also improved their operating profit. In total, these increases more than offset the decrease in operating profit recorded by the Chrysler Group.
Net income amounted to €1,810 million (Q2 2005: €737 million). The mark-to-market valuation of derivatives to hedge the price risks of shares of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) had a positive impact on net income of approximately €800 million (after taxes). Earnings per share amounted to €1.77, compared with €0.73 in the second quarter of 2005. €0.78 of this amount resulted from the valuation gain related to the derivative contracts to hedge EADS shares.
Revenues at prior-year level
DaimlerChrysler sold 1.3 million vehicles in the second quarter, which was 3% lower than in Q2 2005.
The Group's total revenues of €38.6 billion were on par with the second quarter of 2005.
At the end of the second quarter of 2006, DaimlerChrysler employed 368,321 people worldwide (end of Q2 2005: 388,758). Of this total, 169,603 were employed in Germany and 97,518 in the United States (end of Q2 2005: 184,029 and 100,442, respectively).
Details of the divisions in the second quarter of 2006
The Mercedes Car Group sold 325,500 vehicles in the second quarter of this year, surpassing the figure for Q2 2005 by 6%. The Mercedes-Benz brand increased its second-quarter unit sales by 6% to 291,000 vehicles. smart unit sales of 34,500 vehicles were at the prior-year level. Revenues increased by 7% to €13.4 billion.
The Mercedes Car Group reported an operating profit of €807 million, a substantial improvement compared with the second quarter of last year (€12 million). The increase was caused by the division's higher unit sales (+17,400 vehicles) and an improved model mix, due to the full availability of the new S-Class and M-/R-Class. Within the frame-work of the CORE program, additional important efficiency-improving actions were implemented, which also had a significant positive effect on earnings.
CORE examines the Mercedes Car Group's entire value chain and develops it further – to make processes leaner and faster, to reduce costs and to continue improving quality.
The staff reductions planned at Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars led to additional expenses of €20 million. Furthermore, charges arising from the discontinuation of the smart forfour model reduced operating profit by €13 million; in the prior-year quarter, expenses of €311 million arose in connection with the realignment of the smart business model.
The new generation of the E-Class has been available since June. With all versions on sale, this car offers the most versatile model range in its market segment. In June, the CL-Class, the new luxury coupe from Mercedes-Benz, was presented to the press, which will be delivered to customers beginning in September. At the same time, the GL-Class, the first Mercedes-Benz full-size SUV, will be launched in Europe.
At the end of June, DaimlerChrysler announced that the successor to the smart fortwo is intended to be launched in the United States in 2008. For the U. S. launch, a cooperation with the United Auto Group is planned.
The Chrysler Group's worldwide retail and fleet sales in Q2 2006 totaled 713,600 units, a decrease of 9% compared with the second quarter of last year. Factory shipments decreased to 761,700 vehicles (Q2 2005: 812,200 vehicles).
Second-quarter revenues amounted to €12.5 billion (Q2 2005: €13.0 billion); measured in U.S. dollars, there was a decrease of 4%.
The Chrysler Group posted an operating profit of €51 million in the second quarter of 2006, compared with an operating profit of €544 million in the second quarter of 2005. The decrease in operating profit was primarily the result of a decrease in worldwide factory unit sales, a higher mix of fleet vehicles and negative net pricing.
The Chrysler Group improved its overall manufacturing productivity by 6% in 2005 and by 24% over the last four years, according to the Harbour Report North America 2006. These improvements were the largest of all automakers for the two periods.
The Chrysler Group's Chrysler and Dodge minivans led J. D. Power's 2006 Initial Quality Survey in the Van category, ranking first and third respectively for the entire industry.
Production of the all-new Jeep® Compass commenced in June 2006 at the Belvidere Assembly Plant in Illinois. The first of these vehicles were shipped to dealers in the U.S. during July. The Chrysler Group will expand its product range with the launch of eight new models in the second half of the year.
Unit sales by the Truck Group of 138,600 units were slightly lower than in the prior-year period, while revenues climbed from €8.1 billion to €8.5 billion. The Truck Group increased its second-quarter operating profit by 34% to €551 million.
An improved model mix, as well as the efficiency-improving measures taken as part of the Global Excellence program contributed to these increased earnings.
Unit sales of 36,600 Mercedes-Benz brand vehicles by Trucks Europe/Latin America were 9% below the prior-year quarter. An increase in unit sales in Western Europe, particularly in Germany, was offset by lower sales in the Middle East and in Brazil. Unit sales by Trucks NAFTA of 53,000 vehicles under the Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star and Thomas Built Buses brands nearly reached the very high figure of the prior-year quarter (-2%). Mitsubishi Fuso's unit sales increased by 4% to 49,800 vehicles.
The Financial Services division continued its positive development in the second quarter of 2006, achieving an operating profit of €422 million (Q2 2005: €385 million). This increase in earnings was aided by the increased volume of business and the positive earnings trend at Toll Collect. These effects compensated the negative impact from the higher level of interest rates.
New business of €14.1 billion was 9% higher than in Q2 2005. Con-tract volume increased slightly by 1% to €115.3 billion; the increase amounted to 4% after adjusting for the effects of currency translation.
Contract volume of €83.8 billion in the Americas region (North and South America) was of the same magnitude as a year earlier. Adjusted for exchange-rate effects, the increase amounted to 4%. Contract volume of €31.4 billion in Europe, Africa, and Asia/Pacific exceeded the level of the prior-year quarter by 3%. In Germany, DaimlerChrysler Bank's contract volume increased by 6% to €15.5 billion.
The Van, Bus, Other segment posted a second-quarter operating profit of €159 million (Q2 2005: €277 million). Second-quarter operating profit included expenses of €145 million incurred for staff reductions in administrative functions in connection with the new management model.
As expected, Mercedes-Benz Vans' unit sales of 65,600 were 9% lower than the very high level of unit sales in the second quarter of last year. The reduction was mainly a result of the startup of the new Sprinter and the related production changes in the Düsseldorf and Ludwigsfelde plants in Germany.
Worldwide sales of buses and chassis by the brands Mercedes-Benz, Setra and Orion increased by 9% to 10,300 units in the second quarter.
The contribution to earnings from the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) also increased, mainly due to higher Airbus deliveries, to €231 million from €154 million in the prior-year quarter.
Outlook
Parallel to the development of the world economy, the dynamics of global demand for automobiles will probably decrease slightly. For full-year 2006, DaimlerChrysler, therefore, anticipates a growth rate simi-lar to that in 2005. Whereas automobile sales in the United States, the world's largest market, are likely to decrease slightly, demand should slightly increase in Western Europe and Japan. Car sales are expected to increase in nearly all of the larger emerging markets this year, with significant growth rates in some of those countries. Worldwide demand for commercial vehicles is likely to remain at a high level in the second half of 2006. However, risks will arise if oil and fuel prices continue to rise. The company assumes that competitive pressure in the automotive industry will remain intense as a result of worldwide over-capacity.
DaimlerChrysler continues to anticipate unit sales in 2006 in the magnitude of the prior year (2005: 4.8 million vehicles).
The Mercedes Car Group expects full-year unit sales at least as high as in 2005. The company assumes that unit sales by Mercedes-Benz will exceed last year's figure due to the brand's new products. The Mercedes Car Group will continue to effectively implement the CORE efficiency-improving program. The division therefore anticipates further earnings improvements in the coming quarters. The Mercedes Car Group is thus on track to achieve the 7% return on sales targeted for 2007.
In an unchanged difficult market environment, the Chrysler Group assumes that unit sales (shipments) in 2006 will be in the range of last year. The division will launch a total of ten new models this year, although a large number of them will not be available at dealerships until the second half of the year. The Chrysler Group will continue to implement its activities to improve productivity, quality and customer satisfaction. Due to high dealer inventories, the Chrysler Group intends to reduce production volumes and shipments to dealers in the third quarter. In addition, the upcoming model changeovers will cause downtime in certain plants. The development of earnings in the second half of the year will also be impacted by the launch costs of the eight new models. The division, therefore, anticipates a third-quarter operat-ing loss of up to €0.5 billion. The Chrysler Group then expects positive earnings once again in the fourth quarter as a result of the new models to be launched in the second half of the year. For full-year 2006, the Chrysler Group plans for a positive result.
The Truck Group assumes that full-year unit sales will remain stable. A high level of earnings should continue to be achieved, due not least to the efficiency improvements resulting from the Global Excellence program. There will be a positive impact on demand for trucks from upcoming stricter emission regulations planned in the core markets of Europe, the United States and Japan. The Truck Group is very well prepared for these changes, not the least due to its innovation leader-ship in Bluetec diesel technology.
The Financial Services division anticipates a continuation of its stable business and earnings development during the second half of the year. However, rising interest rates will be a challenge. The division intends to further improve its competitive position as a result of optimized processes, enhanced efficiency, comprehensive market coverage and even closer cooperation with the vehicle divisions and their dealer-ships.
The Vans unit expects lower unit sales than in 2005, due to the Sprinter model changeover. Unit sales of buses are likely to exceed the high level of the prior year. EADS continues to plan for a stable market for civil aircraft in the year 2006; Airbus deliveries are expected to increase again compared to the prior year.
The DaimlerChrysler Group anticipates a slight increase in revenues in full-year 2006 (2005: €149.8 billion).
Due to the implementation of the staff-reduction program, the number of persons employed by the Group will continue to decrease until the end of this year.
For full-year 2006, DaimlerChrysler continues to anticipate an operat-ing profit in excess of €6 billion. This figure includes charges for the implementation of the new management model (€0.5 billion), the focus on the smart fortwo (€1 billion), the staff reductions at the Mercedes Car Group (€0.4 billion), as well as gains on the disposal of the off-highway business (€0.2 billion), on the sale of real estate no longer required for operating purposes (€0.1 billion) and the release of provisions for retirement-pension obligations (€0.2 billion).
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