Daimler reports third-quarter 2020 results

STUTTGART, Germany, Oct. 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --

• Good performance by Group and divisions, despite lower unit sales and revenue, due to improving markets, strong products and diligent cost discipline
• Industrial net liquidity of ?13.1 billion (end of Q2 2020: ?9.5 billion)
• Positive momentum from market and cost measures in third quarter expected to be continued in fourth quarter
• Daimler expects EBIT for fiscal year 2020 at the prior-year level
• Significant increase of industrial free cash flow anticipated in 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019

Daimler AG (ticker symbol: DAI) today reported its results for the third quarter, which ended September 30, 2020. The key figures reflect a good performance based on improving markets and strong products, combined with diligent cost discipline and extensive cash-preservation measures. The Group's total unit sales decreased by 8% to 772,700 cars and commercial vehicles (Q3 2019: 839,300) and revenue slipped by 7% to ?40.3 billion (Q3 2019: ?43.3 billion). EBIT increased by 14% to ?3,070 million (Q3 2019: ?2,690 million). Adjusted EBIT, reflecting the underlying business, was ?3,479 million (Q3 2019: ?3,142 million) and net profit was ?2,158 million (Q3 2019: ?1,813 million). The high free cash flow of around ? 5.1 billion in the quarter reflects the continuous efforts in cost-cutting and cash-preservation measures as well as the positive operating performance across all divisions. Additional positive factors are the dividend from the Chinese joint venture BBAC of ?1.2 billion, positive contributions from working capital and seasonal phasing impacts.

Harald Wilhelm, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Finance & Controlling/Daimler Mobility: "Our strong product portfolio and the positive market recovery drove us to a good performance. We have successfully pushed forward our comprehensive efforts regarding cost control and cash management. With this momentum, we are on track to make our business more weatherproof. However, the transformation of Daimler is a long-distance race. We are keeping up the pace with focus and full discipline."

At the end of the third quarter, the net liquidity of the industrial business was ?13.1 billion (end of Q2 2020: ?9.5 billion). The free cash flow of the industrial business was at ?5,139 million (Q3 2019: ?2,819 million). The adjusted free cash flow of the industrial business was ?5,345 million (Q3 2019: ?2,931 million).

Unit sales by the Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans division decreased by 4% to 673,400 vehicles in the third quarter (Q3 2019: 705,000). Despite that, adjusted EBIT increased to ?2,417 million (Q3 2019: ?1,868 million) and adjusted return on sales to 9.4% (Q3 2019: 7.0%). Improved pricing and a significant reduction in fixed costs had a positive impact on earnings. Earnings were adversely affected by restructuring expenses (?297 million), including the initiated cost-optimization program (?229 million) and expenses for the adjustment and realignment of capacities (?68 million) within the global production network in connection with the intended sale of the car plant in Hambach (France). Both initiatives will reduce fixed costs in the medium and long term.

The Daimler Trucks & Buses division showed a decrease in unit sales of 26% to 99,300 vehicles in the third quarter (Q3 2019: 134,300). Adjusted EBIT amounted to ?603 million (Q3 2019: ?838 million) and adjusted return on sales was 6.5% (Q3 2019: 7.3%). Earnings were negatively affected by declining volumes, primarily caused by contracting markets due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The measures introduced led to cost reductions in all functional areas. In particular, a significant reduction in fixed costs had a positive impact on earnings. The division recorded a significant increase in order intake in most key regions compared to the previous quarter, also compared to third quarter of 2019 in Europe and North America.

At Daimler Mobility, new business increased by 2% to ?18.7 billion in the third quarter (Q3 2019: ?18.3 billion). Adjusted EBIT amounted to ?601 million (Q3 2019: ?469 million) and adjusted return on equity was 16.5% (Q3 2019: 13.5%). Positive effects were recorded mainly due to the measures implemented to improve the cost position. Furthermore, as a result of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the first half of 2020, no further additions to credit-risk provisions were necessary in the third quarter of 2020.

Outlook

Daimler assumes that economic conditions in the most important markets continue to normalize and in particular that no further setbacks occur as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on this, Daimler expects that the significant unit-sales reductions recorded in the first nine months due to the COVID-19 pandemic will only be partially offset by the end of the year. The company therefore expects Group unit sales and Group revenue in 2020 to be significantly lower than in the previous year. On the basis of the expected market development and the current assessments of the divisions, Daimler anticipates Group EBIT in 2020 at the level of the prior year.

The divisions expect the following adjusted returns in the year 2020:

-          Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans: adjusted return on sales of 4.5 ? 5.5%
-          Daimler Trucks & Buses: adjusted return on sales of 1 ? 2% 
-          Daimler Mobility: adjusted return on equity of 9 ? 10%.

The adjusted cash conversion rate (ratio of cash flow to EBIT) for the Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans division in 2020 is expected to be at 1 and for Daimler Trucks & Buses at 2. Daimler anticipates a significant increase of the free cash flow of the industrial business compared to the previous year. This guidance does not take into account possible expenses in connection with legal and governmental proceedings.

Link to capital market presentation on the third quarter:
www.daimler.com/press/q320

Further information from Daimler is available at:
www.media.daimler.com and www.daimler.com

This document contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current views about future events. The words "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "can," "could," "plan," "project," "should" and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to many risks and uncertainties, including an adverse development of global economic conditions, in particular a decline of demand in our most important markets; a deterioration of our refinancing possibilities on the credit and financial markets; events of force majeure including natural disasters, pandemics, acts of terrorism, political unrest, armed conflicts, industrial accidents and their effects on our sales, purchasing, production or financial services activities; changes in currency exchange rates and tariff regulations; a shift in consumer preferences towards smaller, lower-margin vehicles; a possible lack of acceptance of our products or services which limits our ability to achieve prices and adequately utilize our production capacities; price increases for fuel or raw materials; disruption of production due to shortages of materials, labor strikes or supplier insolvencies; a decline in resale prices of used vehicles; the effective implementation of cost-reduction and efficiency-optimization measures; the business outlook for companies in which we hold a significant equity interest; the successful implementation of strategic cooperations and joint ventures; changes in laws, regulations and government policies, particularly those relating to vehicle emissions, fuel economy and safety; the resolution of pending government investigations or of investigations requested by governments and the conclusion of pending or threatened future legal proceedings; and other risks and uncertainties, some of which we describe under the heading "Risk and Opportunity Report" in the current Annual Report or the current Interim Report. If any of these risks and uncertainties materializes or if the assumptions underlying any of our forward-looking statements prove to be incorrect, the actual results may be materially different from those we express or imply by such statements. We do not intend or assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements since they are based solely on the circumstances at the date of publication.

Daimler at a glance

Daimler AG is one of the world's most successful automotive companies. With its Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans, Daimler Trucks & Buses and Daimler Mobility divisions, the Group is one of the leading global suppliers of premium cars and one of the world's largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles. Daimler Mobility offers financing, leasing, fleet management, investments, credit card and insurance brokerage as well as innovative mobility services. The company founders, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, made history by inventing the automobile in 1886. As a pioneer of automotive engineering, Daimler sees shaping the future of mobility in a safe and sustainable way as both a motivation and obligation. The company's focus therefore remains on innovative and green technologies as well as on safe and superior vehicles that both captivate and inspire. Daimler continues to invest systematically in the development of efficient powertrains ? from high-tech combustion engines and hybrid vehicles to all-electric powertrains with battery or fuel cell ? with the goal of making locally emission-free driving possible in the long term. The company's efforts are also focused on the intelligent connectivity of its vehicles, autonomous driving and new mobility concepts. Daimler regards it as its aspiration and obligation to live up to its responsibility to society and the environment. Daimler sells its vehicles and services in nearly every country of the world and has production facilities in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa. In addition to Mercedes-Benz, the world's most valuable luxury automotive brand (source: Interbrand study, 20 Oct. 2020), and Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach and Mercedes me, its brand portfolio includes smart, EQ, Freightliner, Western Star, BharatBenz, FUSO, Setra and Thomas Built Buses as well as the brands of Daimler Mobility: Mercedes-Benz Bank, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services and Daimler Truck Financial. The company is listed on the Frankfurt and Stuttgart stock exchanges (ticker symbol DAI). In 2019, the Group had a workforce of around 298,700 and sold 3.3 million vehicles. Group revenues amounted to ?172.7 billion and Group EBIT to ?4.3 billion.

SOURCE Daimler North America - Corporate Communications