Daimler's Quarterly Earnings Jump 45%

Daimler AG reports earnings before interest and taxes of €2.5 billion in October-December, up from €1.7 billion for the same period in 2012. Net income fell 36% to €1.7 billion.

The company's quarterly revenue grew 8% to €32.1 billion, and unit sales rose 9% to 651,300 vehicles. Fourth-quarter volumes gained 7% at Mercedes-Benz Cars (to 423,900 units), 19% at Daimler Trucks (to 134,600) and 9% at Mercedes-Benz Vans (to 82,800).

The group's operating units reported big increases in fourth-quarter EBIT: 53% for cars, 92% for trucks, 92% for vans and 8% for financial services. Daimler Buses swung to a €69 million gain from a €21 loss in 2012.

Daimler's full-year group EBIT was €10.8 billion compared with €8.8 in 2012. Revenue rose 3% to €118 billion, and net income jumped 28% to €8.7 billion. The company delivered 2.35 million vehicles worldwide, up 7% from 2012. All four results were company records.

The Mercedes unit, which includes Smart minicars, posted record revenue of €64.3 billion, up 4%, last year. Deliveries of 1.57 million cars and SUVs also set a record. EBIT fell 9% to €4 billion.