Daimler's Second-Quarter Revenue, Profits Surge

Daimler AG reports its revenue and net earnings for the second quarter of 2015 climbed 19% to €37.5 billion and 8% to €2.4 billion, respectively.

Unit sales of the group's cars and trucks jumped 14% to 714,800 units in April-June. Group earnings before interest and taxes on continuing business surged 54% to €3.8 billion.

Mercedes-Benz Cars hiked quarterly sales 20% to an any-quarter record 500,700 vehicles. The division's revenue rose 19% to €2.1 billion, and EBIT jumped 58% to €2.2 billion.

Sales of commercial vehicles by Daimler Trucks were flat at 125,100 units in April-June. But revenue grew 19% to €9.4 billion, and EBIT rose to a record €682 million. Higher volume in western Europe (+15% to 15,200) and North America (+20% to 49,400) offset drops of 28% in South America and 51% in Indonesia.

Mercedes-Benz Vans hiked quarterly unit sales 7% to a record 81,600 vehicles, pushed by 9% growth in western Europe. Revenue advanced 13% to €2.8 billion. Operating profit slipped 3% to €234 million.