People are our future
Success is essential to our corporate future. It is achieved
through the efforts of our employees. At a time of dramatically
intensified international competition, the company that can
count on an enthusiastic, motivated staff has the advantage.
These are simple truths, but not self-evident, in times of
personnel cutbacks and lean structures.
For the employees of the Daimler-Benz group, ideals and
demands have undergone far-reaching change in recent years.
Not spectacular, not coincidental, but a conscious adjustment
to totally new conditions. It was and still is the task of corporate
management to support this process by visibly and permanently
strengthening the premises for initiative and corporate thinking.
The presentation of this year's annual report is a welcome
occasion for us to point this out once again.
Contents
The Corporate Principles of
Daimler-Benz
Daimler-Benz Highlights
Letter to the Stockholders
and Friends of our Company
Board of Management
Report of the
Board of Management
2
3
4
6
8
8
14
16
40
Business Review
The Corporate Units at a Glance
Operating Activities of the Group
Central Corporate Functions
59
The Daimler-Benz Share
61
Discussion and Analysis of the
Financial Situation
68
Financial Statements
88
Proposal for the Allocation of
Unappropriated Profit
89
Supervisory Board
90
Report of the Supervisory Board
91
Executive Management and
Daimler-Benz Group Representation
and Liaison Offices
92
Principal Subsidiaries and
Affiliated Companies
94
Daimler-Benz in Figures
The Corporate Principles of Daimler-Benz
Our work at Daimler-Benz serves
people and their environment. We
aim to offer the world's most advanced
products, systems and services.
This requires a continual commit
ment to technical, business and social
innovation as well as a corporate culture
characterized not by complacency, but
by creative unrest.
In a world increasingly complex, with
promising opportunities - but also risks -
even minor events can take on conse
quences of major proportions. There
fore, we must carefully weigh our every
action.
We owe it to future generations to
use our natural resources prudently and
sparingly. This sense of responsibility
must be reflected in all our thoughts and
activities throughout the Group.
Our customers are the focus of our
efforts. We must strive not just to
meet their expectations, but to exceed
them. Cooperation and the open ex
change of know-how throughout all
areas of our companies are central to
meeting this goal.
Just as we are accountable to our
customers, we are equally responsible
to the companies' owners as well as to
the public. This means we must be
willing to provide feedback to others and
to assess ourselves openly and honestly.
We aim to learn better and faster
than our competitors. To achieve
this, we need not only flexible organiza
tional structures but also employees
who think entrepreneurially.
Key to our success are employees
with a sense of responsibility, inde
pendence, creativity, drive, teamwork
and openness to new ideas. We there
fore promote every employee's personal
development to the best of our abilities.
Daimler-Benz does business in all
corners of the globe. We are con
vinced of the advantages to everyone of
open trade borders throughout the
world. Therefore, we view competition
as a welcome proving ground. The
measure of our success is the recog
nition our work receives, and economic
success is an undeniable part of this
recognition.
Inherent to our philosophy is respect
for other cultures. As an international
company, we reject all forms of dis
crimination. This principle applies,
moreover, to the filling of management
positions, where we will extend equal
opportunities to every employee
regardless of nationality.
Daimler-Benz is an integrated
technology group. This means that
our various business areas are linked by
cross cutting technologies and system
structures. We place a special emphasis
on our know-how and experience in
traffic management systems and trans
portation technologies.
Our core businesses include vehicles
for passenger and freight transportation,
rail systems, aerospace, propulsion
systems, defense systems, automation,
energy systems technology and inform
ation-technology services. In these
areas, Daimler-Benz strives to be a
world leader.
Furthermore, we are active in
certain specialized areas, such as
applied microelectronics, selected
financial services, and countertrading,
where we aim to be highly competitive.
To a great extent, these activities inter
link our core business areas.
Each of our business areas falls
under the responsibility of one of our
four corporate units. Thus, Mercedes-
Benz, AEG Daimler-Benz Industrie,
Daimler-Benz Aerospace and Daimler-
Benz InterServices (debis) work together
under the umbrella of Daimler-Benz, the
managing holding company of our
group.
Our cooperation aim to:
Combine know-how and experi
ence to create new dimensions -
Responsibly promoting progress
for everyone.
We are proud to continue a distin
guished tradition guided by these
principles.
The Corporate Principles of Daimler-Benz
Letter to the Stockholders and Friends of our Company
It is not only the foreseeable enorm
ous demand for means of transportation
that defines our company's tremendous
potential in these countries. Our corp
orate structure, with its wide range of
products and services, allows us to offer
the comprehensive mobility and infra
structure solutions so desperately
lacking there. From airport outfitting
and modernization to traffic studies for
Singapore, there is a tremendous
demand in these markets, and equally
great potential, for communications
infrastructures, energy and trans
portation.
At the same time, we are working
hard to strengthen our competitive
position in the triad markets - our
European home market, NAFTA and
Japan. For instance, we are constructing
a plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where
we will produce a new recreational
vehicle - the All-Activity Vehicle - be
ginning in 1997. Last December, we
selected a production site for the Micro
Compact Car, a car designed specifically
for urban areas that we are developing
together with the Swiss company SMH.
In addition to the three major global
markets, however, we must also create
all the necessary conditions for opening
up new growth markets with new pro
ducts. But if we attempt to enter every
market of our own accord, we run the
risk of wasting our resources. We there
fore attach the greatest importance to
expanding our long-term cooperative
arrangements with partners around
the world.
export-oriented companies cannot be
passed on in the form of prices. More
over, there are many indications that
despite all efforts, German industry is
already in danger of losing market
shares in its traditional export markets.
The only effective short-term counter-
measure that remains is the resolute
continuation of cost-cutting programs,
in particular rationalization.
We have also undertaken foreign
exchange hedging transactions, with
very long-term effects for some of the
divisions of our company. But this does
not alter the fact that changes of such
dramatic dimensions as we saw last
year, and especially this year, against
both the U.S. dollar and nearly all other
important currencies in international
trade must eventually have a noticeable
impact on earnings.
To overcome these difficulties, we
must become less dependent on such
incalculable, currency-related factors by
shifting production activity to other
countries. There clearly is no other
solution. In addition, the trend in recent
years has reconfirmed that economic
conditions follow different cycles in
mature and developing regions. This too
prompts us to spread out our industrial
activities and by doing so minimize
unavoidable risks to the greatest
extent possible.
As it is, the proximity to the re
spective market - production on site -
is becoming an increasingly important
factor in competition. Especially the
markets in the Asian-Pacific region and
in Latin and Central America, all regions
still characterized by very dynamic
growth, demand new, different product
concepts based on their respective
requirements. A good example is our
Family Car China, a vehicle concept
developed specifically for Chinese
needs.
Looking back, 1994 was a satis
factory year. The strategies we initiated
to update our products, streamline and
rationalize all processes, and broaden
our international presence have pro
ceeded as planned. The reversal we
achieved in the development of our
earnings was more than remarkable,
and not only in comparison to 1993.
As with other companies, this
development was of course facilitated
by the general economic recovery that
has since stabilized in the important
regions of the world. However, the sole
reason why we were able to take ad
vantage of the trend to such an extra
ordinary degree is that we created the
necessary conditions in terms of cost
structures, productivity, and not least
of all in terms of strategy.
After all, 1994 was certainly not an
easy year. This is especially true in view
of the persistent weakness of important
currencies against the German mark,
above all the U.S. dollar, the drastic
undervaluation of which is clearly un
justified by any objective economic
factors. From past experience we know
that currency-related burdens on
Letter to the Stockholders and Friends of our Company
This year, 1995, will not be easy
either. We have already addressed our
concerns and the tasks at hand. In
addition, we face further non-recurrent
expenditures for structural measures.
But the course has been set. Despite all
the turbulence and adversity, we are
counting on a satisfactory earnings
trend overall, and barring unforeseen
events and factors, we expect even
stronger growth in the years to come.
The targeted earnings will be both
welcome and necessary, because there
is no denying that in 1994 we ended up
far short of the level we have to achieve
in the medium and long term. Never
theless, I am proud to say that in 1994,
thanks to their know-how and willing
ness to work, our employees laid solid
foundations for a good future.
In the past, we have always been
guided by the principle of allowing you,
our stockholders, to share in the long-
term earnings trend. For this reason,
dividends were reduced last year only
from DM 13 to DM 8, even though the
earnings situation actually would have
suggested no dividend at all. It therefore
seems appropriate, in view of the
change for the better and our future
prospects, to recommend that the
dividend for 1994 be raised to DM 11.
Despite heightened concern over the
competitiveness of Germany as a pro
duction site in the wake of this year's
collective bargaining agreement for the
German metal industry, we are by no
means contemplating a gradual with
drawal from Germany. Rather, our mis
sion is to ensure long-term corporate
success by globalizing our activities,
thus ultimately ensuring domestic
employment as well.
This goal is also furthered by the
comprehensive programs to improve
cost structures and efficiency that we
introduced several years ago. Between
1991 and 1994 alone, we achieved
increases in productivity of up to 30%;
this is true of Mercedes-Benz, as well as
divisions of Daimler-Benz Aerospace and
AEG Daimler-Benz Industrie. By 1997,
that figure will be over 40% group-wide.
Our consistent pursuit of decentral
ization, which has lived up to all expect
ations, also plays a key role in these
strategies. The formation throughout the
corporation of small units close to the
market and with a high degree of res
ponsibility has noticeably improved the
flexibility of our organizational struct
ures. Moreover, it has fostered an
entrepreneurial spirit that in turn has
generated an entirely new cost
awareness.
Another essential step is the re
structuring of the Mercedes-Benz Board
of Management, which will take effect
on July 1 of this year. Basically, this
involves replacing the still largely
functional task structure with product
and regional fields with comprehensive
responsibility.
Similar processes are underway
or have been completed in our other
divisions as well. Examples include the
implementation of bottom-line oriented
business units at AEG Daimler-Benz
Industrie, the new management struct
ures at DASA, especially in its Aviation,
Defense and Civilian Systems divisions,
and the restructuring of debis System-
haus.
All in all we are continuing to work
on setting up our structures in such a
way that we can react more rapidly,
more efficiently, and more forcefully to
the requirements and changes of the
market. As you know, in so doing we are
not afraid to make controversial deci
sions or to take unconventional paths
of action.
It has been and remains our policy to
be flexible in taking the necessary steps
to expand our core areas and consolid
ate our integrated technology corpora
tion with flexibility. Our objective is also
to demonstrate the necessary resolve in
adapting to any changes in the environ
ment. Such steps have made deep, even
painful cuts necessary, particularly in
the past two years. This is true especial
ly of the extensive capacity adjustments
throughout the company, which thus far
we have been able to implement, with
out exception, in a socially acceptable
manner.
We have had to make careful deci
sions on plant closings or on divesting
activities that are only slightly - if at all -
connected to the core purpose of this
company, mobility. We have achieved
many of our targets, and many others
are still in the works.
Obviously, these considerations also
apply to activities that are not yet big
enough to survive alone in the increas
ingly fierce international competition. In
other instances, due to a number of
developments, full capacity utilization
has been limited to a European scale.
Thus, realignments and partnerships will
remain on the agenda. A recent example
is the planned cooperation with ABB,
Asea Brown Boveri, in the area of
railroad engineering.
Letter to the Stockholders and Friends of our Company
5
Report of the Board of Management
Business Review
Against the backdrop of the improved global economic environment, sales
in the Daimler-Benz group rose to DM 104.1 billion in 1994. This was the
first time we topped the DM 100 billion mark. With the exception of DASA,
all corporate units contributed to the 7% growth. The steps we took to
reduce costs and improve production processes were clearly successful.
Along with the business expansion, these were primary factors in the
significant progress we made in 1994 toward a generally satisfactory
profit position.
Global Economic Environment
Much Improved
The global economic upswing was
significantly stronger in 1994. The natio
nal economies of Western Europe, in
particular, were able to emerge from the
recession surprisingly fast. Appreciable
stimuli for economic recovery initially
came from trade within Europe and from
exports to Asia, North America and the
former East Bloc countries. It was not
until the latter part of the year that the
economic boom was supported by
investment activity as well.
The German economy - starting with
expanding foreign trade - is on the road
to recovery. Although the healthy growth
in the New Federal States was financed
largely through western transfers, the
first signs of more efficient economic
structures began to emerge there.
Through massive layoffs and significant
enhancement of productivity, German
industry was able to improve its inter
national competitiveness, thereby
strengthening its position in the export
markets.
Carried by the momentum of invest
ment activity, economic growth in the
U.S.A. accelerated. To avert the dangers
of an overtaxed economy, the U.S.
Federal Reserve Bank was obliged to
resort to higher prime interest rates
several times in 1994.
Until the end of 1994 the Japanese
economy was not able to join the
general upswing. The primary factor
here was domestic demand. Japanese
industrial exports are still hampered
by the strong yen.
Rounding off the generally positive
global economic picture was sharp
growth in the newly industrializing
countries of Asia and Latin America,
as well as early signs of stabilization in
several former East Bloc countries.
Group Sales Top DM 100 Billion
for the First Time
Daimler-Benz group sales climbed to
DM 104.1 billion in 1994. This repre
sents an increase of 7% over the figure
for 1993 considering significant changes
in consolidation. Sales in the European
Union, at DM 59.9 billion, were 4%
higher than the 1993 level; in Germany,
they rose 3% to DM 39.0 billion. We
achieved above-average growth in the
U.S.A. with sales of DM 18.3 billion
(+13%) and in the other markets with
DM 25.9 billion (+11%).
Excluding deliveries within the group,
Mercedes-Benz generated 66%, AEG
Daimler-Benz Industrie 10%, Daimler-
Benz Aerospace 16%, and debis 8% of
the group sales.
Note:
The Business Review is the combined audited
Business Review of Daimler-Benz AG and the
Daimler-Benz group.
Business Review
Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars:
Market Position Strengthened
Worldwide
The international automobile boom
gained momentum again in 1994. In
Western Europe the market situation
was more favorable than in the crisis
year 1993, following the general eco
nomic recovery. While positive market
stimuli came from the U.S.A. and the
newly industrializing countries, the
demand for cars in Japan stagnated at
a low level. Worldwide passenger car
production rose 5% to 36.1 million
vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz sold 592,400 cars,
achieving above-average growth in
almost all major regions. Even in the
stagnating German market, sales of new
Mercedes-Benz vehicles increased by
19% to 249,800, so that our market
share rose from 7.0 to 8.2%. Outside
Germany we sold a record 341,300
passenger cars, exceeding the figure
of the previous year by 18%.
The generally favorable market
situation enabled us to increase
production by 23% to over 590,000
passenger cars; thus we produced at
full capacity.
Mercedes-Benz Commercial
Vehicles: Sales Increase Sharply
The trends in the commercial vehicle
markets were also predominantly positi
ve. The largest contributing factor to the
recovery in Western Europe was the
large replacement need and the growing
demand for transport capacity. The
truck business in the U.S.A. was espe
cially brisk in classes 7 and 8 (over 11.8
tons). The total world production of
commercial vehicles rose by 12% to
14.2 million units.
Unit sales for Mercedes-Benz
commercial vehicles rose 14% in 1994
to 290,400 units. The growth stimuli
came mainly from North America, other
Western Europe countries and Latin
America. In Germany, however, our
registrations of new vehicle dropped
4% to 79,000 because of the difficult
market situation throughout the
industry.
The production volumes of our
foreign subsidiaries reached a new high
of nearly 148,900 commercial vehicles.
A total of 291,900 commercial vehicles
rolled off the assembly line at our 46
German and foreign production sites.
AEG Daimler-Benz Industrie
Expands Slightly
The general economic upswing in
1994 was felt in the German electrical
engineering industry only after some
delay. While the foreign demand in
creased as the year progressed, orders
from Germany showed signs of a weak
revival only after the midpoint of the
year. Trends varied widely for the indi
vidual product groups in the electrical
engineering industry. Incoming orders
and sales of capital goods relevant to
AEG Daimler-Benz Industrie continued
to decline.
New orders for AEG Daimler-Benz
Industrie reached DM 11.5 billion.
Calculated on a comparable basis, i.e.
after adjustment for the values of the
discontinued activity in household
appliances, meters and lighting systems,
this represents a 6% growth. Both the
German (+4%) and foreign markets (+8%)
contributed to this increase. Sales in
1994 reached DM 10.3 billion. Com
parably calculated, this represents a
5% growth.
Sales at Daimler-Benz Aerospace
(DASA) Decline
On January 1, 1995, the corporate
unit Deutsche Aerospace was renamed
Daimler-Benz Aerospace. This step not
only underscored the affiliation with the
Daimler-Benz group, it also took into
account the growing internationalization
of the aerospace industry.
Although the demand for air travel
rallied in 1994, the positive trend did
not carry over to the market that is
important to Daimler-Benz Aerospace,
the aircraft market. Furthermore, budget
cutbacks of public contractors for space
and defense systems hurt DASA's
business.
In particular, the sales decline in the
Aircraft Division, which accounted for
roughly 50% of DASA's business, result
ed in a 7% drop in overall sales to DM
17.4 billion. On the other hand, incoming
orders totaling DM 16.4 billion repre
sented a slight growth of 5%. Significant
ly higher orders in the Aircraft Division
stood in contrast to declines in the other
divisions.
Against the backdrop of a difficult
economic situation, we proceeded with
the capacity adjustments and structural
improvements already begun at DASA.
In addition, we established several joint
ventures with international partners in
1994 to increase our competitiveness
worldwide.
debis Continues to Pursue
Growth Course
The services relevant to Daimler-
Benz InterServices (debis) contributed
disproportionately to the overall eco
nomic recovery. Debis was able to
increase its sales by 14% in 1994, to
DM 10.8 billion. Even when additional
companies were integrated in the
course of the business expansion, debis
continued to grow primarily on its own
strength.
Business Review
Sales in the Systemhaus Division
rose 9% to DM 1.8 billion, while in
Financial Services they increased 12% to
DM 7.6 billion. Business was especially
good in the mobile communications
market. Through the acquisition of
Bosch Telecom Service, which holds
second place in its sector, debitel was
able to significantly increase its market
share in Germany.
Personnel Adjustments Necessary
The Daimler-Benz group had
330,551 employees at the end of the
year (366,736 in 1993). The cutback
affected above all the workforce in
Germany, where the number of em
ployees dropped from 284,576 to
251,254. At the end of 1994 Mercedes-
Benz had 197,568, AEG Daimler-Benz
Industrie 44,769, DASA 75,581, debis
9,226, and Daimler-Benz AG 3,407
salaried and hourly-paid employees.
For group management tasks, all in all
520 employees were employed at
headquarters.
The adjustment of capacities to an
internationally competitive level, initia
ted in previous years, was continued in
1994. We were able to make personnel
cutbacks in a socially acceptable man
ner for the most part; only in exceptional
cases were layoffs necessary. The
number of employees also declined
through the dissolution of divisions
and divestiture of business interests.
In many parts of AEG Daimler-Benz
Industrie and DASA, working hours
also had to be shortened.
the new A-class and the small roadster
(SLK). An important foreign project in
1994 was the new plant in Tuscaloosa,
Alabama, where production of the
recreational All Activity Vehicle (AAV)
is scheduled to begin in 1997.
In the Commercial Vehicles Division,
approximately DM 1.3 billion were ex
pended worldwide to prepare for new
vehicle generations and to adjust cur
rent product lines to changing customer
demands. In Europe, the focus was on
preparations for two new van families,
Sprinter and City Transporter, model
updates for the light, medium and
heavy-duty truck classes, and the switch
to environmentally friendly EUR02 en
gines. The MB 700, a light-duty truck
produced in Indonesia for the Asian
market was an additional investment
focus.
Capital expenditures at AEG
amounted to DM 0.6 billion; at DASA,
DM 0.7 billion; at debis, DM 0.2 billion;
and at headquarters, DM 0.1 billion.
Additions to leased equipment
totaled DM 5.6 billion (1993: DM 5.9
billion). The amount of outside capital
used for leasing and sales financing was
DM 14.5 billion (1993: DM 13.7 billion).
DM 8.7 Billion Expended for
Research and Development Projects
We spent a total of DM 8.7 billion
(1993: DM 9.0 billion) on research and
development. Included in this figure is
DM 3.5 billion for contract-related
development services, incurred almost
exclusively by Daimler-Benz Aerospace.
The group continues to place high value
on environmental safety; our expenditu
res for environmental protection mea
sures in 1994 came to over DM 680
million.
Purchasing Volume Exceeds Level
of Previous Year
In 1994 the Daimler-Benz group
purchased goods and services world
wide in the amount of DM 61.1 billion
(1993: DM 56.7 billion). Nearly 70% of
the purchases pertained to Mercedes-
Benz, 9% to AEG Daimler-Benz Industrie,
14% to Daimler-Benz Aerospace, and 8%
to Daimler-Benz InterServices.
The 8% increase in purchasing vol
ume is primarily due to the higher pro
duction level, especially for Mercedes-
Benz, as well as to our activities to
further reduce vertical integration.
Because we stepped up our global
sourcing activity, material purchases
from foreign sources continued to
increase. We purchased goods and
services from the New Federal States in
the amount of DM 1 billion in 1994. The
billion-DM threshold was thus reached
one year ahead of schedule, a success
primarily attributable to the "Purchasing
Drive in the New Federal States".
Investments for the Future
The investments in property, plant
and equipment in 1994 totaled DM 4.7
billion (1993: DM 5.4 billion). If the
effects especially of the first-time
inclusion of Fokker in 1993 are taken
into consideration, investments reached
the same level as in the year before. The
increase in intangible assets amounted
to DM 0.6 billion. Depreciation and
disposal of tangible and intangible
assets amounted to DM 5.9 billion.
We invested in new production
technology, product diversification, and
rationalization measures. The focus of
the investments was on Mercedes-Benz,
at DM 2.9 billion (1993: DM 2.6 billion).
In the Passenger Cars Division, the bulk
of the investment budget of DM 1.5
billion was allocated to production
preparations for the new E-class, the
new engine plant in Stuttgart-Bad
Cannstatt and the transition to water-
based paint technology. In addition, we
invested in production preparations for
Business Review
Mercedes-Benz spent a total of
DM 3.3 billion (1993: DM 3.2 billion)
on research and development. The
research and development work is the
basis for our promotional campaign in
the area of passenger cars and
commercial vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz AG, together with
Schweizerische Gesellschaft für
Mikroelektronic und Uhrenindustrie AG
(SMH), established MC Micro Compact
Car AG for the purpose of making a new
type of vehicle intended especially for
densely populated urban areas under
the project title Micro Compact Car
(MCC). A wholly-owned subsidiary of
the joint venture took over the work of
development and production prepara
tion. The French town of Hambach was
selected as the plant site.
At AEG Daimler-Benz Industrie,
DM 736 million went into research and
development in 1994 (1993: DM 764
million). The research pertained to our
modular 12X locomotive and new jet
trains for regional rail systems, intelli
gent power components, systems and
components for vehicle electronics,
airbag gas generators and sensors, and
optoelectronic infrared modules. Addi
tional focuses were new component and
system concepts for medium-voltage
technology and for network control
technology at the station level, a new
generation of programmable logic
control systems, and innovative modules
for the recognition of address fields and
for mail distribution.
Daimler-Benz Aerospace spent
DM 4.3 billion (1993: DM 4.8 billion)
on research and development. Of this
figure, DM 3.4 billion was for projects
carried out by third parties under
contract (including projects in progress).
In the Aircraft Division, the Airbus
A330/340, Dornier 328 and Eurofighter
(EF 2000) programs were developed.
The primary research focuses in Space
Systems were the ERS-2 and Polar
Platform satellites, as well as the Ariane
booster rocket program. In the Defense
and Civil Systems Division, the focus
was on the Pars 3 LR program; in Pro
pulsion Systems, on the engine EJ2000
for the Eurofighter and on the commer
cial jet engine programs conducted
jointly with Pratt & Whitney.
Consolidated Net Income
Climbs to DM 0.9 Billion
The net income of the Daimler-Benz
group in 1994 was DM 0.9 billion (1993:
0.6 billion). However, this increase does
not reflect the full extent of improved
operating results, as a number of special
circumstances had influenced the figure
for the prior year. The dramatic turn
around in earnings is perhaps best
illustrated by the operating result, which
jumped from DM -3.3 billion to DM 2.7
billion. The DM 6 billion increase inclu
des one-time income of DM 1.4 billion
resulting from the deconsolidation of
MBL Fahrzeug-Leasing GmbH & Co. KG
and income from the AEG Daimler-Benz
Industrie and Fokker divestments. DM
1.1 billion (1993: DM 3.5 billion) were
spent on restructuring measures.
Mercedes-Benz contributed DM 2.2
billion (1993: DM -1.3 billion) to opera
ting profit. This increase was achieved
above all through expanded sales in the
passenger car and commercial vehicle
business in Germany and important
foreign markets. In addition, our cost-
cutting programs led to significant
savings. The expenditures for personnel
restructuring measures were substant
ially lower than in the previous year.
The contribution of AEG Daimler-
Benz Industrie to consolidated results
was DM -0.1 billion (1993: DM -0.9 bil
lion). The DM 0.8 billion improvement
is related to the divestment of the
Domestic Appliances Division and the
power meters and lighting systems
units, with a book profit of DM 0.4 bil
lion. Moreover, expenditures for re
structuring measures were lower
than in 1993.
The contribution of Daimler-Benz
Aerospace to consolidated operating
results improved, totaling DM -0.5 billion
(1993: DM -1.0 billion). Earnings were
limited by the persistently weak market
for commercial aircraft as well as by
government budget cuts in the defense
and aerospace industry and the attend
ant underutilization of capacities. Lower
expenditures for structural measures
had a positive effect.
As in 1993, Daimler-Benz InterServi-
ces (debis) contributed DM 0.4 billion to
the group's operating profit. Its principal
source of income was the financial ser
vices sector, where business continued
to develop positively. The Systemhaus
and Mobile Communications Services
divisions experienced a significant
improvement over last year.
The financial results shown in the
consolidated statements of income
decreased significantly, from DM 2.0
billion to DM 0.2 billion. The decrease is
largely the result of reduced earnings
from the sale of securities, which were
DM 1.4 billion lower than in the previous
year. Also, provisions totaling DM 0.6
billion (1993: DM 0.3 billion) were taken
for losses on financial assets and
securities.
Balance Sheet Structure Marked
by Capital Increases
Mainly as a result of the inflow of
liquid assets from the two capital
increases undertaken in 1994, total
assets increased by DM 2.6 billion to
DM 93.5 billion. Liabilities were also up,
due to extensive liabilities from leasing
and sales financing, which at DM 14.5
billion were DM 0.9 billion higher than in
1993. The increase in business - above
all at Mercedes-Benz - is reflected in
accounts payable trade, which also rose
by DM 0.9 billion to DM 7.7 billion. The
deconsolidation of MBL Fahrzeug-Lea-
sing GmbH & Co. KG and the sale of the
AEG Daimler-Benz power meters, ligh
ting systems and domestic appliances
activities had the opposite effect on the
balance sheet. Excluding the predomi
nantly third-party financed financial
services business, the percentage of
stockholders' equity increased from
26% to 28%, while the percentage of
stockholders' equity covering non-
current assets was up from 78% to
79%. As in the previous year, long and
medium-term capital amounted to 60%
of the consolidated balance sheet total.
Allocation of Earnings
The net income of Daimler-Benz AG
increased to DM 565 million (1993: DM
390 million). The improved results in the
operative area and the decrease in
restructuring expenditures meant that
after losses in 1993, Mercedes-Benz
AG returned a profit in 1994. The ab
sorption of losses from AEG Aktien-
gesellschaft and Daimler-Benz Luft-
und Raumfahrt Holding AG, the parent
company of the DASA group, decreased
noticeably over the previous year.
At our Annual General Meeting on
May 24, 1995, we will propose that a
dividend of DM 11 be paid per share of
DM 50 par value (1993: DM 8). The total
dividend payment will thus amount to
DM 564 million.
Outlook
The economic trend of the first
months leads us to expect favorable
business conditions to continue for
the remainder of 1995. While the U.S.
economy will lose momentum because
of the restrictive rate of the U.S. Federal
Reserve Bank, accelerated growth can
be expected in Western Europe and in
Japan.
The economic upswing is expected
to pick up speed in Germany as well.
As in 1994, however, the primary growth
factors will be export demand and, to an
increasing extent, investments. Con
sumption in the private sector is likely
to rally hesitantly at best, because of
higher taxes and the associated lower
household spending latitude.
The growing markets in Asia con
tinue to offer good sales prospects.
Also, the countries of Latin America are
expected to gradually resume the
growth momentum of 1994 in the wake
of the financial crisis in Mexico and its
negative consequences for the entire
Central and South American economic
region.
On the basis of the generally favor
able outlook for the global economy, the
rising trend in the international auto
mobile business will also continue.
The Mercedes-Benz passenger car
business in 1995 will be affected by the
introduction of the new E-class. A sales
decline in anticipation of the model
change will be followed by an expected
sharp upswing in the second half of the
year.
In the Commercial Vehicles Division,
the development of our most important
markets will probably allow additional
sales growth. Particularly the Sprinter,
our new van in the 2.5 to 4.6 ton weight
class, will provide additional stimuli in
Western Europe. We expect competitive
advantages from the merger of our bus
activity with that of Karl Kassbohrer
GmbH in the new company EvoBus
GmbH.
Business Review
Mercedes-Benz is betting on growth
The invoicing of development
through new markets. In the coming
years, it will develop buyer potentials by
tapping new regions and offering addi
tional attractive models. The promo
tional campaign for passenger cars and
commercial vehicles will be accompa
nied by a comprehensive reorganization
of the unit's internal structures and
processes, and by increasing globaliza
tion of the entire production chain.
AEG Daimler-Benz Industrie expects
its business volume to grow in 1995 in
all fields of activity, but especially in
microelectronics.
With the assumption of the industrial
management of TEMIC as of January 1,
1995, AEG Daimler-Benz Industrie has
now fully consolidated this company in
its financial statements. The increase in
sales connected with this move and with
the organizational allocation of MTU
Friedrichshafen will more than offset the
reduction in business volume resulting
from the disposal of the household
appliance, meter, and lighting systems
activities.
With a memorandum of under
standing, ABB and AEG Daimler-Benz
Industrie announced on March 16, 1995
that they will be merging their activities
in the track-bound products sector in a
fifty-fifty joint venture. The largest rail
systems manufacturer in the world will
be established with the founding of
ABB Daimler-Benz Transportation. The
planned joint venture will have to be
approved by the European cartel
authorities.
Daimler-Benz Aerospace expects
a slight increase in sales group-wide,
after adjustment for changes in the
consolidated group.
services for the Ariane 5 carrier booster
will bring about a sharp sales increase
for Space Systems. We are also likely to
exceed last year's sales in Propulsion
Systems and in the Aircraft Division,
where sharp increases are expected
particularly from the Fokker 70 and
Fokker 100 aircraft programs and from
the Dornier 328. In the Defense and
Civil Systems Division, however, a furt
her decline in sales looms. Daimler-Benz
will continue to pursue the cost-cutting
programs already initiated to ensure
growth and jobs in its core activities.
These measures include the further
tightening of company structures at
Fokker, a worldwide cooperation policy
and a global campaign to develop new
business opportunities.
Daimler-Benz InterServices expects
to be able to continue smoothly on the
favorable course established in 1994.
This positive outlook is based not only
on the momentum of the development
in its service sector but also on restruct
uring measures, primarily in the debis
Systemhaus Division, which already
showed the first signs of success in
1994.
Against the backdrop of a continuing
positive trend in the general economic
environment and the significantly en
hanced efficiency that we have realized
in all group sectors, we are confident
that we will be able to increase the
business volume of the Daimler-Benz
group once again and continue to
improve our net income. There are,
however, uncertainties associated with
the currency front if the volatility of
important currencies experienced in
the first few months of 1995 persists
for an extended period.
Business Review
Operating Activities of the Group
Corporate Unit Mercedes-Benz
In 1994 Mercedes-Benz increased its sales by 9% to DM 70.7 billion. The
Passenger Car Division and the Commercial Vehicle Division contributed
equally to these results. The most important impetus came from North
America, from Western Europe, and from Southeast Asia. Due to the
positive trend in sales and the progress that had already been made in
productivity, the annual profit of DM 1.8 billion (1993: DM -1.2 billion) was
again clearly a positive result. We continued to expand our global presence
during the year in review, and at the same time laid the groundwork for
opening up new markets with both existing and new products.
While American car and truck manu
facturers enjoyed the advantage of the
continuing upward trend in their dom
estic market, the automotive industry in
Japan had to cut back production sub
stantially due to the rise in the prices for
their vehicles abroad resulting from
exchange rate fluctuations and the
continuing weakness in the Japanese
automotive market.
Mercedes-Benz: Over DM 70 billion
in Sales for the First Time
The trend in the motor vehicle busi
ness has been extremely positive at
Mercedes-Benz in comparison to the
rest of the industry. Group sales rose
9% to DM 70.7 billion. This gratifying
increase had a broad regional basis. The
U.S. market must be singled out, where
sales rose 18% to DM 11.8 billion. In
Western Europe outside of Germany our
sales were 13.9 billion DM, 13% higher
than the year before. We were also able
to achieve significant increases in South
America, Eastern Europe, and the emer
ging countries of Asia. Even in Japan,
where the automotive market continued
to be generally weak, we increased sales
by 13% to DM 2.8 billion. In Germany,
too, in spite of the unfavorable market
situation, our business grew by 3% to
DM 26.9 billion. Since the bulk of
growth took place outside of Germany,
however, the non-domestic share of
group sales rose to 62% (1993: 60%).
demand for transport capacity. In the
passenger car sector, the incentives for
scrapping introduced by some govern
ments provided a new upsurge. Demand
for motor vehicles remained strong in
the U.S.A.; this is true both of the pas
senger car market and the market for
class 7 and 8 trucks (11.8 metric tons
and heavier). In Japan the demand for
automobiles stagnated at a low level,
however, although a slight improvement
appeared at the end of the year in pas
senger cars and commercial vehicles.
Because demand stimuli from the
emerging nations of Asia and Latin
America were for the most part positive,
passenger car production rose 5% world
wide to 36.1 million vehicles. World
production of commercial vehicles rose
by 12%, to 14.2 million units.
The sales situation in Germany
continued to be less than satisfactory.
Retarding factors included the purcha
sing reluctance of commercial vehicle
customers in connection with the
attempts to unify European freight traffic
and the continuing weakness in private
consumption, which is a significant
factor in the demand for passenger cars.
Many European manufacturers used
the years 1993 and 1994 to introduce
comprehensive measures for increasing
production, and to strengthen their in
ternational competitive position with
attractive new models. Overcapacities,
the resulting fiercer competition, and
the still unsatisfactory profit levels
demonstrate that the structural deficits
in this industry have not been complete
ly eliminated, however.
The International Automotive
Business Picks Up Speed
The international automotive
industry picked up speed again in 1994,
with essentially parallel developments
in the passenger car and commercial
vehicle markets.
In step with the overall economic
recovery, the market situation in We
stern Europe was more positive than
in the crisis year 1993. An important
contributing factor in the commercial
vehicle sector was the great need for
replacements, as well as the growing
The E-class: With sales
of 2.7 million cars the most
successful Mercedes of all time.
16
Mercedes-Benz
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Mercedes-Benz Commercial
Vehicles: Significant Increases
in Sales Volume
Commercial vehicle sales for
Mercedes-Benz rose by 14% in 1994 to
290,400 vehicles. We expanded group
sales of trucks over 6 metric tons to
167,200 units (1993: 143,900), main
taining our position as the world's
leading manufacturer in this market
segment. The greatest stimuli for growth
came from North America, Europe out
side of Germany, and Latin America. In
Germany we strengthened our market
position, but new sales declined by 4%
to 79,000 vehicles because of the
difficult market situation in the entire
industry.
Due to the extremely fierce com
petition in pricing and terms, and price
advantages afforded to major compe
titors by favorable exchange rates, our
27% share in the Western European
market for trucks over 6 metric tons
was lower than in the prior year (30%).
In contrast, our share of the Western
European market for transporters bet
ween 2 and 6 metric tons rose from
12% to nearly 13%.
An important contribution to busi
ness abroad was again made by our
Freightliner subsidiary. Freightliner was
able to increase its sales in the United
States by 25% to 51,400 units, taking
over the leading position in the U.S.
market for Class 8 trucks (gross vehicle
weight 15 metric tons and above) with a
market share of 25% (1993: 24%).
In the Passenger Car Division, sales
were DM 42.1 billion, 9% higher than
in the year before; the Commercial
Vehicle Division also registered growth
of 9%, to DM 28.6 billion. With these
figures the Passenger Car Division con
tributed 60% and Commercial Vehicles
40% to the business volume of the
Mercedes-Benz group.
Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars:
Stronger Market Position Worldwide
Worldwide, Mercedes-Benz sold
592,400 passenger cars in 1994, the
second-highest annual sales volume in
the history of the company. In almost
every important region we achieved
above-average growth and thereby
increased our market share significantly.
In the stagnant German market the
registrations of new Mercedes-Benz
cars rose by 19%, to a total of 249,800;
our market share climbed from 7.0%
to 8.2%.
Outside of Germany we sold 341,300
cars in 1994, 18% more than in the prior
year and at the same time a new high.
Business was especially encouraging in
the U.S.A., where we succeeded in
increasing sales to consumers by 18%,
to 73,000 cars. Significant growth was
also recorded in Eastern Europe, in Latin
America, and particularly in the emer
ging nations of Asia. In Western Europe
outside of Germany sales rose by 16% to
153,300 cars, and even in Japan new
registrations were 20% higher, at 33,400
cars. We have now maintained our
position as the leading European import
car for the fifth year in a row.
As a consequence of the generally
positive sales situation we increased our
passenger car production by 109,500
units, or 23%, to over 590,000 cars,
and are therefore producing close to
capacity.
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Another supporting element of
our productivity drive is the process of
"Continuous Improvement", which we
stepped up in 1994 in all of the divisions
of the company through extensive edu
cational activities and carefully targeted
information. These measures supported
and carried forward the productivity
campaign initiated in 1993.
Further Staff Reductions
To raise our productivity to an inter
nationally competitive level over longer
term, we had to continue personnel
reduction, even though business in the
reporting year, and consequently the
capacity utilization of our plants, had
improved greatly.
At the end of 1994 Mercedes-Benz
had 197,568 employees worldwide
(1993: 209,933). Mercedes-Benz AG
personnel was reduced by 12,037, to
147,061 persons. The reduction in
personnel affected both the automobile
and commercial vehicle plants as well
as the sales organization.
Successful Cooperation with the
Supplier Industry
The TANDEM concept for coopera
tion continued to be the basis in 1994
for successful cooperation with our
suppliers. More than 500 teams of
employees from the suppliers and from
our company were formed as part of
TANDEM to work jointly on vendor-
supplied parts for our current vehicle
range as well as for new development
projects.
Since sales of our subsidiaries in
Latin America also rose, commercial
vehicle production volume of our foreign
companies reached a new high at nearly
148,900 units (1993: 120,400). We were
able to increase commercial vehicle
production in Germany by 18%, to
143,000 units, on the basis of stronger
European demand outside of Germany;
a total of 291,900 commercial vehicles
rolled off the assembly lines of the 46
Mercedes-Benz production sites.
Increasing Motivation Through
New Structures
The internal agreement on revising
the performance and compensation
system, concluded in 1994, was an
important milestone for modernizing
time management. It grants employees
a major role in determining their own
working and productivity conditions.
This makes it possible to work out
solutions tailored to the
individual needs and cap
abilities of the employee,
resulting in significantly
higher acceptance of
contractual productivity
standards. Furthermore,
the new agreement allows
leeway for adjusting time
schedules to the require
ments of modern labor
systems and forms of
work organization.
More than 30% of the
production jobs in the
Mercedes-Benz AG plants had been
converted to group work by the end of
the year. Group work, with its signifi
cantly higher motivation for work and
productivity and its more efficient
organization of work processes, has
become an important motivating force
in our productivity drive. This has been
confirmed by a company-wide study of
employee experience with group work.
Mercedes-Benz
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The principal objective of the
cooperative undertaking was to make
the entire value-added chain even more
efficient, all the way to the final product.
The results of the TANDEM projects
made it possible to achieve significantly
improved price and cost levels for a
variety of vendor-supplied part as early
as 1994.
On the basis of increased production
and of our activities directed at reducing
production depth our purchasing volume
nevertheless rose by 12% to DM 43.8
billion, with orders from abroad increa
sing at a higher than average rate.
DM 2.9 Billion Invested in
Property, Plant and Equipment
To continue expanding the innovative
basis of our motor vehicle business and
thereby ensure our international com
petitive position, we made extensive
capital investments again in 1994.
In the Passenger Car Division, pre
parations for the new E-class, the new
engine plant in Bad Cannstatt, and the
ongoing conversion to water-base paints
were the areas of focus of our invest
ments in property, plant and equipment,
totaling DM 1.5 billion (1993: DM 1.3
billion). In addition, preparations are
now underway for the production of the
new A-class in the Rastatt plant. In Bre
men we began preparing for production
of the new small roadster (SLK). Our
most important foreign project in 1994
was the new plant in Tuscaloosa, Ala
bama; starting in 1997 a completely
newly-developed four-wheel-drive re
creational vehicle ("All Activity Vehicle")
will be manufactured there.
for the two new transporter families, the
Sprinter and the City Transporter, on
model maintenance for our light,
medium and heavy truck classes, and
on conversion of our model lines to the
environmentally friendly EUR02 engines.
Areas of focus outside of Germany
included the preparations for the MB
700 - a new family of light trucks devel
oped especially for the Asian market
that will first be marketed in its country
of production, Indonesia. In cooperation
with our partner Ssang Yong we are
developing a transporter - also for the
Asian region - which we will present in
South Korea in 1995.
Worldwide Sales
Organization Strengthened
In 1994 we spent DM 135 million
(1993: DM 224 million) on expanding
our worldwide sales and service organ
ization. The most important activities
were a number of construction projects
in the New Federal States, four additio
nal centers for pre-owned commercial
vehicles, and the enlargement of our
central supply depot in Germersheim,
Germany. Investment volume abroad
came to DM 72 million. The most
significant projects are the new admini
strative headquarters for Mercedes-
Benz in Austria, the sales company in
Sweden, Avtomobili AOST in Moscow
and the new supply depot in Fontana,
U.S.A. To open up additional sales pot
ential for our vehicles, we have further
expanded our sales and service organi
zations in Eastern Europe, Latin America
and the emerging countries of Asia.
In line with the central idea of per
CharterWay Services Expanded
the interest of further expanding our
customer base, we are working on
introducing the CharterWay spectrum of
services in other markets in the future.
DM 3.3 Billion for Research
and Development
Research and development activities
are the basis of our product campaign in
passenger cars and commercial vehic
les. The global distribution of our devel
opment activities, which until recently
were largely confined to the Commercial
Vehicle Division, assures us maximum
proximity to markets and customers.
New forms of interdisciplinary project
activities and greater involvement of the
supplier industry have enabled us to
further increase the efficiency of our
research and development efforts in
1994. Of the total of DM 3.3 billion we
spent on research and development in
the year in review (1993: DM 3.2 billion),
DM 2.2 billion went to the Passenger
Car Division and DM 1.1 billion to
Commercial Vehicles.
Micro Compact Car -
A Cooperative Venture with SMH
In February 1994 we announced our
cooperative venture with Schweizerische
Gesellschaft fur Mikroelektronic und
Uhrenindustrie AG (SMH) to build an
innovative vehicle intended specially
designed for densely populated areas.
The project name is Micro Compact
Car(MCC).
Responsibility for implementing the
project rests with MC Micro Compact
Car AG (MCAG) in Biel, Switzerland, of
which a 51% share is held by Mercedes-
Benz AG and 49% by SMH.
manent innovation, around DM 1.3
billion was invested worldwide in the
Commercial Vehicle Division to prepare
the next generation of vehicles and to
adapt the current product lines to the
changing wishes of our customers. In
Europe the focus was on preparations
Although Mercedes-Benz Charter-
Way has only been offered in selected
European countries since 1992, the
name has become synonymous with
expert service for every aspect of
Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles.
We therefore decided to market long-
term rentals and service leasing and, in
some markets, our service contracts, as
CharterWay services starting 1994. In
Mercedes-Benz
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In the Commercial Vehicle Division,
too, we have begun a far-reaching pro
duct campaign that includes the comp
lete renewal of the existing lines as well
as supplementing them with vehicles
tailored to the specific circumstances of
new markets.
The product drive in passenger cars
and commercial vehicles is accompa
nied by a comprehensive realignment of
our internal structures and processes.
This is the only way we will be able to
give lasting strength to our cost position
in the face of increasingly tough com
petition. In addition, we are working
persistently to give an even more global
shape to the entire value-added se
quence involved in the creation of our
products.
The developmental activities and
production preparations are being
carried out by a wholly-owned subsidiary
of MCAG, Micro Compact Car Entwick-
lungsgesellschaft in Renningen, Ger
many. The designated production site
is in Hambach, France.
Acquisition of Kassbohrer
Approved by EU Commission
Following a thorough investigation,
the EU Commission approved the ac
quisition of Karl Kassbohrer Fahrzeug-
werke GmbH by Mercedes-Benz AG on
February 14, 1995. The European bus
activities of Mercedes-Benz will now be
consolidated into the newly founded
EvoBus GmbH, with its four industrial
bases in Mannheim, Germany, Ulm/Neu
Ulm, Germany, Ligny, France, and Istan
bul, Turkey. The Omnibus Division in
Mannheim was spun off from Mercedes-
Benz AG retroactive to January 1, 1995.
The Turkish bus division will remain a
legal entity of MB Turk. Operational
control will be held by EvoBus GmbH.
The Mercedes-Benz and Setra product
lines will be marketed independently.
Outlook
With the generally favorable pro
spects for the world economy, the up
ward trend in the international automo
tive industry should continue in 1995.
Particularly in the rest of Western
Europe, signs of continued growth in the
demand for passenger cars and com
mercial vehicles are appearing, and the
market situation can be expected to
improve in Japan as well. The American
motor vehicle market, on the other
hand, is unlikely to be able to maintain
the dynamic level of recent years, while
the emerging countries of Asia and Latin
America will continue to open up good
opportunities for sales.
In Germany the market situation
remains difficult. The harmonization of
European freight traffic and the resulting
effects on the German trucking industry
will further restrict the demand for com
mercial vehicles, and there is only very
limited room for growth in
the German passenger
car market due to the
stagnating and even de
clining purchasing power
of private households.
Mercedes-Benz is
placing its hope on
growth in new markets.
We will be opening up
new purchasing potential
in both geographical
terms and by means of
attractive new models.
After the model
change in the E-class at
the mid-year Mercedes-
Benz will have an extremely up-to-date
lineup of models in the Passenger Car
Division, and we will be able to round
this out in future years with additional
cars. We will position ourselves as the
top supplier in new markets with high
growth potential.
Mercedes-Benz
trend in orders at Modicon and in Sy
stems and Automation. In contrast,
orders for Project and Drive Systems fell
below the 1993 level.
DM 10.3 Billion in Sales
AEG Daimler-Benz Industrie's sales
in 1994 totaled DM 10.3 billion. Com
parably calculated, i.e., not including the
Domestic Appliances, Power Meter and
Lighting Systems activities, revenues
increased by 5% to DM 8.5 billion. Sales
revenues rose by 13% abroad, while re
venues in Germany fell by 2% compared
with the previous year.
Rail Systems and Microelectronics,
in particular, contributed to this largely
satisfactory development. The growth in
Rail Systems is essentially based on high
project invoicing in Germany and the
U.S. In Microelectronics, the positive
business trend of TEMIC TELEFUNKEN
microelectronic is responsible for the
increase in sales.
Corporate Unit AEG Daimler-Benz Industrie
In 1994, AEG Daimler-Benz Industrie achieved incoming orders totaling
DM 11.5 billion and sales in the amount of DM 10.3 billion. This growth was
essentially sustained by Rail Systems and Microelectronics. On the group
level, although net income clearly improved compared with the previous
year, it is still not satisfactory. For 1995, we are therefore continuing to
focus our primary goals on speeding up the reorganization of the company
by means of implementing structural and performance-improving measures
in all business sectors.
Delayed Recovery in the
Electrical Engineering Industry
In the German electrical engineering
industry, the upward trend in the econ
omy was delayed. While foreign demand
rose over the course of 1994, a slight
recovery in customer orders from Ger
many did not set in until the middle of
the year. Production in the West German
electrical engineering industry climbed
by 4% compared with the previous year.
Although capacity utilization did improve
slightly, it was clearly below the level of
utilization at the beginning of the '90s.
Inconsistent Development among
Product Groups
Slight Growth in Incoming Orders
Incoming orders for AEG Daimler-
Benz Industrie reached DM 11.5 billion
in 1994. After making an adjustment for
the value of the divested domestic
appliances, power meter and lighting
systems activities, a growth of 6%
results. On the German market, custo
mer orders were up by 4% to DM 5.2
billion, foreign orders climbed by 8%.
In Rail Systems, incoming orders
rose by 3%. The large orders of Deut
sche Bahn AG, as well as orders for the
Berlin U-Bahn, the Metro in Guangzhou,
China, and the Airport Express Line in
Hong Kong played a major role in this
increase.
Development progressed at varying
The incoming orders of the Micro
rates among the individual product
groups of the electrical engineering
industry. Incoming orders and sales
continued to fall with respect to the
capital goods that are significant for
our company. This was especially true in
Energy Systems Technology, which was
marked by cautious investment behavior
on the part of important customers,
primarily abroad. With price levels that
continued to decline, no recovery was
registered in Drive Systems. However,
Controller Technology profited from the
upswing in manufacturing.
The recovery process developed
at an exceptional pace in electronic
components. As a result of the good
domestic and foreign economy, business
expanded, primarily in vehicle electro
nics, telecommunications, and home
entertainment electronics.
electronics Division showed especially
strong growth at 21%. This positive trend
was due solely to a marked increase in
customer orders at TEMIC TELEFUNKEN
microelectronic GmbH. Above all, new
orders for semiconductors, vehicle
electronics, and gas generators should
be emphasized.
The Energy Systems Technology Divi
sion did not match the incoming order
volumes of the previous year; a decline
occurred in almost all power trans
mission and distribution activities, as
well as in industry components and
electrical machinery.
Because of several large orders in
Postal Automation, incoming orders
were gratifyingly high. Moreover, in the
fourth quarter of 1994, the newly
acquired U.S. firm ElectroCom Automa
tion was included in the consolidation
for the first time. The growth in Automa
tion was also sustained by the positive
AEG Daimler-Benz Industrie
The restructuring costs incurred at
the same time, which put a DM 600
million strain on the 1993 results, still
totaled DM 150 million in 1994. Over
and above the structural measures
already introduced in the previous year,
we have adopted additional projects
such as gearing the domestic and
foreign sales organization specifically
toward the business units responsible
for profits.
The profits from the sale of various
activities, particularly Domestic Appli
ances, Power Meters and Lighting
Systems, improved the net income for
1994 by DM 300 million, so that the net
loss before loss absorption by the group
totaled DM 350 million compared with
DM 1.2 billion in 1993. For AEG Aktien-
gesellschaft, the loss came to DM 552
million, because the income from the
divestiture of the Power Meters and
Lighting Systems activities had already
been included in AEG Aktiengesell-
schaft's profit and loss statement in
the previous year.
Despite a marked increase in sales,
the Rail Systems Division exhibited
operating losses close to the previous
year's figure. The poor revenues from
customer orders played a role in this
development.
Net income in Microelectronics
improved considerably as a result of
the gratifying business trend in vehicle
electronics and because of the cost-
cutting measures implemented, but
still remain in the red, as expected.
In Energy Systems
Technology, sales reve
nues stagnated at the
previous year's level. The
weak business activity in
Low and Medium-Voltage
Systems caused by the
economy was offset by
higher project invoicing in
High-Voltage Systems. In
contrast, the business
volume in Industry Com
ponents and Electrical
Machinery was below the
1993 level.
In Automation, the
previous year's revenues were not
matched. The strong competitive
pressure in both the Project and Drive
Systems as well as Systems and Auto
mation sectors led to a sharp decline in
business. Modicon, however, registered
a positive trend in sales.
Sale of AEG Hausgerate
Following the approval by the EU
authorities of the sale of the Domestic
Appliances Division to Electrolux, this
business activity was eliminated from
the group as of September 30, 1994.
The profit and loss statement for AEG
Hausgerate is still included in the con
solidated financial statements for nine
months.
Considerably Reduced Group Loss
The profit and loss situation of AEG
Daimler-Benz Industrie in 1994 was hurt
by the delayed economic upswing. The
underutilization of capacities led to
extremely fierce price competition.
By carrying out restructuring programs
and sweeping rationalization programs,
we succeeded in cushioning the impact
of these burdens, as well as the impact
of increasing costs, and in maintaining
operating losses at approximately
DM 500 million compared with the
previous year.
26
AEG Daimler-Benz Industrie
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In Energy Systems Technology, the
Power Transmission and Distribution
business field broke even, even though
revenues declined. Net income in the
Components sector, which no longer
includes the Power Meter and Lighting
Systems activities, was burdened by a
price-related decline in sales. However,
because of the measures implemented
with respect to structural reorganization
and cost improvement, losses were
reduced considerably.
The Automation Division countered
the intensified competitive pressure in
the industrial sector with intensive
rationalization measures. However,
because of the still insufficient utiliza
tion of streamlined capacities, as well
as a further drop in prices, the net loss
was higher than in 1993. Although net
income fell in postal automation due to
lower prices, it still remained gratifyingly
positive. The activities of the acquired
Outlook
In the current business year, full
recovery of the German electrical
engineering industry can be expected.
On this basis, AEG Daimler-Benz
Industrie assumes that business
volumes will grow, sustained by all
divisions, especially Microelectronics.
However, the economic recovery will
have at best a delayed effect in sectors
with long-term contracts, in particular.
As of January 1, 1995, we took over
the industrial management of TEMIC,
which will be fully included in our con
solidated financial statements. The
sales-boosting effects resulting from
this and from the organizational
allocation of MTU Friedrichshafen will
more than compensate for the decline
in sales associated with the divestiture
of the Domestic Appliances Division.
Our goal remains to accelerate the
structural reorganization of AEG Daim
ler-Benz Industrie by means of strategic,
income-boosting measures in the
individual fields of activities, focusing
primarily on Rail Systems. We will con
centrate our efforts on improving the
quality of revenues and the utilization of
capacities by cutting costs and further
internationalizing our activities.
U.S. subsidiary ElectroCom Automation
were included in the profit and loss
statement for the fourth quarter of
1994.
Reduction of Workforce
At year-end 1994, AEG Daimler-
Benz Industrie employed 44,769 people
worldwide. The drop in the employment
figure compared with 58,921 in 1993
can basically be attributed to the nega
tive balance from the sale and takeover
of businesses. In addition, there were
cutbacks as a result of structural and
economic adjustments. Comparably
calculated, this translates to a 5%
decrease.
DM 1 Billion in Investments
Investment by AEG Daimler-Benz
Industrie companies in 1994, including
the assets taken over from newly acqui
red companies, totaled DM 983 million
(1993: 764 million). This figure includes
DM 564 million (1993: 622 million) in
additions to property, plant and equip
ment, DM 215 million (1993: 105 million)
of which involve foreign
companies.
The full takeover of
ElectroCom Automation
represented the largest
share of the investments.
Investment activities in
Germany also focused on
the continued moderniza
tion of the Hennigsdorf
plant for Rail Systems.
Outside Germany, the
companies of AEG
Daimler-Benz Industrie
invested primarily in a
new production line for
Microelectronics at the
plant in Nantes, France.
Projects that were completed included
the Technology Center for Systems
Electronics in Pittsburgh, U.S.A., and
the administration and services facility
in Greece, which we had already begun
in the previous year.
28
AEG Daimler-Benz Industrie
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We entered into an agreement with
Thomson-CSF to merge the activities of
both companies in the area of high-
performance explosives and form the
new company TDA Armements S.A.S.
Activities in the field of projectile pro
pulsion were consolidated under the
aegis of Bayern-Chemie. In a joint effort
with Aerospatiale we will combine the
area of guided weapons systems within
EMS (European Missile Systems), a
company to be founded for this purpose.
We were able to reach an agreement
with the American company Collins
Avionics, a subsidiary of Rockwell Inter
national, to found Collins-Dasa Avionics
Systems GmbH. This joint venture will
be responsible for the definition and
worldwide marketing of products for
satellite-supported navigation systems
and state-of-the-art avionics. With the
Russian company Aviapribor AG, the
leading manufacturer of avionics and
aircraft equipment in the CIS, we will
found the joint venture Davia. Davia will
be headquartered in Moscow and will
handle the development, production and
marketing of selected avionics and flight
safety equipment for the CIS market.
Later, Davia will expand its market west
ward.
In 1994, we entered into negotia
tions with Canada's Northern Telecom
concerning the joint founding of a
company that will develop and offer a
broad range of services and systems for
modern telecommunications networks
to telecommunications carriers in
Germany and Eastern Europe.
Corporate Unit Daimler-Benz Aerospace
In 1994, business trend for Daimler-Benz Aerospace was characterized by
declining sales and a shortage of orders. Although the air travel market
recovered, the positive development was not yet felt in our core business,
the aircraft market. In the public sector, the funds available for space
exploration and defense were cut even more drastically, and our business
volume was painfully reduced. The programs we had introduced to adapt
structures and capacities and reduce costs in response to the adverse
market conditions in the year before required further workforce reductions
in 1994. These measures represented an important step toward improving
our earnings situation.
Strengthening the Core Business
Through New Structures
The dramatic deterioration in the
economic environment forced DASA to
make incisive changes in order to
ensure the company's existence. In
October of 1993 an action plan was
presented that focuses on strengthening
the core fields of operation and discon
tinuing business activities that were no
longer strategically relevant. The pro
gram includes measures for adapting
structures and capacities to the
reduced and anticipated levels of
capacity utilization.
In June 1994, the company and the
employees reached a consensus on the
proposed measures. The agreement
confirms our intention to eliminate
10,300 jobs, primarily in the Aircraft and
Defense and Civil Systems divisions. The
reductions also include the plan to close
or sell a number of sites in Germany in
the period between 1993 and 1996.
Particularly in the Air Transport Division,
we will eliminate overlap between indi
vidual activities and implement a new
manufacturing structure in the plants.
In Defense and Civil Systems, the
dramatic cutback in the budget of the
Federal Ministry for Defense (BMVg)
made a fundamental strategic reorient
ation unavoidable. We converted the
former four product areas of the division
into a new management structure con
sisting of two product divisions with a
number of profit centers and two inde
pendent profit centers. Further, we are
reallocating a variety of activities to ex
isting and future European companies.
Recovering Our Competitive Edge
Through New Cooperative Ventures
As a consequence of reduced
defense spending, certain defense
capacities can only be maintained
and utilized on a European scale. This
prompted us to found additional Europ
ean joint ventures in 1994. In the civilian
sector too, we intensified our internatio
nal cooperative effort to expand our
worldwide market presence and pene
trate new markets.
30
Daimler-Benz Aerospace
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In the year under review we trans
ferred solar technology, formerly a part
of the energy and system technology
product division, to the company Ange-
wandte Solarenergie - ASE GmbH, which
was founded in cooperation with the
RWE subsidiary Nukem. With Carl Zeiss,
Oberkochen, we are working toward a
joint venture in the field of Optronics.
In the Space Systems Division, nego
tiations continued with Aerospatiale on
founding ESI (European Satellite Indus
tries). In the aerospace sector, our
cooperation with the People's Republic
of China, begun over ten years ago, was
reinforced during the reporting year with
the founding of EurasSpace GmbH,
Munich. This joint venture between
CASC (China Aerospace Corporation)
and DASA will take over the develop
ment, manufacturing and marketing of
satellites for communication and earth
surveillance, and the associated ground
stations.
The Propulsion Systems Land/Mari
ne Division entered into a comprehens
ive cooperation agreement with Detroit
Diesel Corporation for the purpose of
sharing the existing sales organizations
of the two companies as well as devel
oping, producing and marketing new
diesel motors.
Intensified Cooperation Between
Research and Industry
Together with Daimler-Benz AG and
the German Aerospace Research Institu
te (DLR) we have reached a basic agree
ment on closer cooperation. The goal of
this innovative partnership is to jointly
pursue research and development
objectives in future-oriented technol
ogies in order to significantly increase
the speed of innovation and make more
efficient use of the shrinking pool of
available funds. At the same time there
are efforts to engage in cooperation
with additional industrial and research
entities.
The exchange of experience bet
ween industry and research is also to
be intensified in the Technology Center
founded jointly by Daimler-Benz Aero
space Airbus and the Hamburg-Harburg
University, which was inaugurated in
Hamburg-Finkenwerder in 1994.
Entering Markets of the Future:
Marketing Companies Bring Us
Closer to Our Customers
During the year under review we
continued the worldwide market drive
we began in countries that are of
interest to our company as potential
future markets. We founded marketing
companies in Greece, Italy, Mexico,
Austria, Singapore, Spain, Turkey, the
United Arab Emirates and the People's
Republic of China to bring us closer
to our international customers. The
marketing companies will combine the
technological competence and product
spectrum of several divisions, allowing
us to offer complex solutions to poten
tial customers in their own country. In
addition, our circle of traditional liaison
offices was expanded worldwide.
Group Sales Decline
Group sales for Daimler-Benz Aero
space, at DM 17.4 billion (1993: DM
18.6 billion) were down 7% from the year
before. A major factor in this trend was
a substantial decline in sales in the Air
craft Division, which contributes around
50% of the group's business volume.
In Germany, sales declined 7% to
DM 5.4 billion (1993: DM 5.8 billion).
Foreign sales, which as in 1993 con
tributed 69% of total sales, declined 6%
to DM 12.0 billion (1993: DM 12.8 bill
ion). The military portion of sales came
to 29%, as in the prior year. Incoming
orders showed a slight growth, by 5%, to
DM 16.4 billion (1993: DM 15.6 billion).
The significantly higher orders in the
Aircraft Division were offset by declines
in other divisions.
Losses for Aircraft, New Orders Rise
In the Aircraft Division, sales de
clined 15% to DM 8.7 billion (1993:
DM 10.3 billion). Almost all divisions
were affected, but especially drastically
hit were the Fokker and Military Aircraft
Divisions. In the civilian aircraft sector
revenues were adversely affected by the
drop in the dollar exchange rate and -
especially for Fokker aircraft - by fierce
competition over prices. In the short-
haul aircraft sector a vigorous rise in-
sales was achieved with the Dornier
328, which has been in series produc
tion since October 1993. Incoming
orders rose 14% to DM 8.7 billion (1993:
DM 7.6 billion), reflecting in particular
the increase orders in the Airbus pro
gram and the Dornier 328 program, but
they remained at an unsatisfactory level.
Space Systems at the
Previous Year's Level
Space Systems sales were at the
same level as the year before, at DM 1.4
billion. Along with the research satellite
ERS-2, one of the most important con
tributors to sales was the Ariane pro
gram. Incoming orders were unchanged
at DM 1.5 billion.
Downward Trend for
Defense Technology
Sales declined throughout the De
fense and Civil Systems Division. Only
through extensive settling of accounts in
the Stinger program was there a growth
of 8% to DM 3.1 billion (1993: DM 2.8
billion). Orders were down 3% to DM 2.2
billion (1993: DM 2.3 billion). The vol
ume of orders was considerably lower
than sales, as in the years before.
Daimler-Benz Aerospace
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For the same reason, we decided at
the beginning of 1995 to undertake a
restructuring program for Fokker in an
effort to improve the earnings situation
picture here as well.
At the same time we are continuing
our policy of European cooperation and
downsizing by merging domestic activi
ties in the sector.
Finally, with our worldwide market
campaign, we are making a significant
contribution toward opening up new
business opportunities in markets offer
ing a high potential for growth.
With this program we are establish
ing the prerequisites for securing jobs in
our core divisions, and for the healthy
growth of our company in the future.
More Favorable Sales Situation for
Propulsion Systems
hours had to be implemented for an
extended period.
Propulsion Systems sales, influenced
By division, 42,220 persons (1993:
by the departure of KKK from the con
solidated group, were DM 3.0 billion
(1993: DM 3.1 billion), 3% lower than in
the year before. When calculated in
comparable terms, however, there was
an increase of 7%. The decline in orders
by 12% to DM 2.8 billion (1993: DM 3.2
billion) was also influenced decisively by
this change. Comparably calculated, the
decline was only 5%.
46,863) were employed in Aircraft,
4,205 (1993: 4,463) in Space Systems,
9,970 (1993: 12,387) in Defense and
Civil Systems, and 12,618 (1993: 15,347,
including 1,736 at KKK) in Propulsion
Systems. In the other divisions, which
include primarily the joint venture
TEMIC, listed pro rata, and Medical
Technology, there were 6,568 emp
loyees (1993: 7,026).
Workforce Reductions Continued
Outlook
Daimler-Benz Aerospace had 75,581
employees throughout the group at the
end of 1994 (1993: 86,086), including
3,058 apprentices and trainees. There
were 15,499 persons (1993: 16,713)
working in foreign countries. The decline
in workforce reflects the measures we
introduced to adjust capacities. For
example, we have largely withdrawn
from the Lernwerder site. In addition
to the workforce reductions, in many
divisions of the group shortened working
As of the end of 1994 we owned a
50% share each in TEMIC TELEFUNKEN
microelectronic GmbH. At year's end we
sold a 1% share to AEG Daimler-Benz
Industrie, reducing our share to 49%.
TEMIC will therefore be listed as an in
vestment as of 1995, and will no longer
be included pro rata in the consolidated
financial statements of DASA. With the
adjustment for the resulting effects, we
are anticipating a moderate increase in
comparative sales for the group in 1995.
In Space Systems the
settlement of accounts for
the development costs of
the Ariane 5 will boost
sales considerably. We
are expecting a slight
increase for Propulsion
Systems and for Aircraft,
where we are anticipating
significant growth, partic
ularly in the Fokker 70,
Fokker 100 and Dornier
328 aircraft programs.
However, a further decline
can be expected in De
fense and Civil Systems.
The programs initiated to lower costs
and improve profits are progressing
according to plan, including the elimi
nation of additional positions and the
closing of a number of sites. This will
bring our costs down to a level and
enable us to compete internationally.
34
Daimler-Benz Aerospace
The business trends regarding soft
ware projects and products varied. The
Services, Telecommunications, Public
Sector, and Traffic subdivisions posted
increases in incoming orders and sales.
In the Industry and Standard Software
Products divisions, which operate in a
difficult environment, we implemented
the majority of the restructuring mea
sures decided on in the previous year.
The attendant optimization of business
processes resulted in cost savings and
personnel cuts in these divisions. Con
tingency reserves were available for the
resulting non-recurring expenses.
The software and management con
sulting business at Diebold continued at
the previous year's high level. The order
sposition was positive during the second
six months especially.
The new joint venture with Mitsubi
shi, debis Advanced Communication
Services, began offering enhanced fax
services in the fall of 1994. The aim here
is to offer our customers innovative
services surrounding this widely used
transmission medium.
Corporate Unit Daimler-Benz InterServices
Following the upswing in the industrial services sector, debis increased its
sales 14% to DM 10.8 billion in 1994. Growth in the Mobile Communications
Division was especially good, in no small measure due to the acquisition of
Bosch Telecom Service. Significant growth rates were evident in the
Systemhaus and Financial Services Divisions. The internationalization
of business activities was also a focus for Daimler-Benz InterServices.
Restructuring measures were quite successful, especially in the area of
information technology.
debis Continues to Grow
In the year under review, debis
raised consolidated sales by 14% to DM
10.8 billion. Because of the conversion
of the accounting system from the total
cost method to the internationally
prevalent cost of sales method, interest
income from sales financing amounting
to DM 1 billion is now included under
sales; aside from minor inventory
changes, this corresponds to the total
output that we reported in previous
financial years.
In all divisions, further internation
alization contributed to the growth in
sales. In terms of region, Germany
accounted for 55% of 1994 sales, the
partner countries of the European Union
for 7%, the U.S. market for 29%, and
other markets for 9%.
The acquisitions of Bosch Telecom
Service, the Leipzig Data Processing
Center and several other firms account
ed for DM 0.1 billion of the higher sales
figure. This is a clear indication that
debis achieved the continuous growth
primarily by its own efforts.
In addition, we partially restructured
the refinancing of our domestic leasing
and financing businesses. Through the
investment of external partners in a
vehicle holding company its sales are
no longer consolidated; the disposal
revenues at the point when the contract
expired are also no longer included in
the consolidated sales. The sales trend
was also influenced by the fact that we
expanded the sales financing business
more strongly than the leasing business.
A comparable effect was seen in the
countertrade area, through the change
in the proportions of the consulting
business and own-account trading.
Systemhaus:
Higher Profitability
debis Systemhaus was able to raise
its sales by 9% to DM 1.8 billion and
make a positive contribution to profits.
Computer Communication Services
(CCS) again contributed disproportion
ately to this result.
We restructured the cooperation
with CAP-Gemini in Germany. While
maintaining the commitment in terms of
value, our French partner now holds a
19.6% investment in the overall activities
of Systemhaus. As part of this restruct
uring, the separation of the individual
areas under corporate law was aband
oned in order to give CCS and the
software projects and products the
opportunity to enter the market together
and under one name.
Daimler-Benz InterServices (debis)
Financial Services:
Further Upswing
The Financial Services Division was
able to expand its sales by 12% to DM
7.6 billion. The biggest contribution to
this figure was made by the domestic
market, where the commercial and pre-
owned car business expanded in part
icular. The main source of foreign sales
revenue was our American company
Mercedes-Benz Credit Corporation
(MBCC). Despite the end of the special
programs launched with Mercedes-Benz
during the previous year, the company
was able to further increase its sales.
An especially positive trend could be
observed in the Commercial Vehicle
Division of MBCC, which works closely
with the North American Mercedes-Benz
Commercial Vehicle subsidiary, Freight-
liner. High sales increases were also
posted by the company in Great Britain
and by the new company operations in
Another focus was continued inter
nationalization. Besides the opening of
new offices in Singapore and Italy, the
presence in France was expanded
through an investment in the Théoréme
insurance broker.
Trading
Despite the difficult political and
economic situation of important partner
countries for countertrade transactions,
debis Trading was able to expand the
countertrade volume by 16% to DM 0.6
billion by strengthening the consulting
business. Cooperation with the Russian
company Gasprom as part of the
DITGAS Handelshaus joint venture
continued to proceed positively.
Marketing Services
At DM 0.5 billion, sales of debis
Marketing Services were in the same
range as the previous year. The largest
contribution to this was made by the
Media subdivision. In order to cover
international media budgets, a European
network of media agencies were
initiated.
Mexico and Japan. In Italy and Spain,
the respective measures taken in a
difficult environment assured new
business. In Portugal, Mercedes-Benz
MultiServigos, and in Hungaria, Merce
des-Benz Lfzing Hungaria were founded,
specializing in the classical vehicle
leasing trade.
The debis leasing companies, which
are concerned with financing other
products of the group, were also able to
significantly expand their portfolio. The
development of the American debis
Financial Services was especially positi
ve in this regard. During the year under
review, we founded new companies in
Switzerland, the Netherlands, Great
Britain and Japan in order to expand this
business.
Worldwide, new business rose by
10% to 213,000 units, valued at DM 13.8
billion. Accountable contract volume
thus rose by 15% to 530,000 units,
which correspond to a value of DM 25.1
billion. Accountable contract volume
includes all contracts for which debis
bears corporate responsibility. This
also covers those contracts that were
brought into non-consolidated comp
anies as part of the effort to make
refinancing more flexible or were di
vested through other off-balance-sheet
measures.
debis Aviation Leasing was able to
continue the successful business trend
of the previous year and raise the num
ber of realized aircraft leasing funds to
five.
Insurance Brokerage:
Expansion of Third-Party Business
Through steady growth, especially in
the external commercial customer trade,
debis Assekuranz was able to raise the
commission earnings posted as sales to
DM 76 million. The premium volume
amounted to DM 0.7 billion. In further
developing the Insurance Brokerage
Division, we focused on the reinsurance
business.
Daimler-Benz InterServices (debis)
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The Financial Services Division will
continue its internationalization with the
founding of further leasing and financing
companies in Sweden and Argentina.
Growth opportunities for our leasing and
financing companies outside the auto
motive sector should be seized by our
own companies in Belgium, Italy and
Argentina. There are outstanding pro
spects for an expansion of business in
the United States, in part through the
agreement to offer exclusive financial
services for the engine manufacturer
Detroit Diesel Corporation.
Trading and Insurance Brokerage will
vigorously continue their expansion of
business. Through the further develop
ment of the international Media Net
work, Marketing Services has good
prospects for tailoring its full service
marketing services to the European
market. With the companies founded in
the Netherlands and France, the Mobile
Communications Services Division will
take part in the dynamic growth of those
deregulated markets. In Germany, the
outstanding market position, combined
with credit solvency-oriented growth,
will make it possible for the division to
further strengthen its profitability.
Mobile Communications Services:
Acquisition of Bosch Telecom
Service
The Mobile Communications Ser
vices Division took advantage of the
strong market growth in Germany and
the other deregulated European count
ries. Sales in Germany rose to DM 0.5
billion (1993: DM 0.2 billion). Because
the foreign subsidiaries and affiliated
companies are still of secondary im
portance, they were not included in the
debis consolidated financial statements.
Through the acquisition of com
petitor Bosch Telecom Service (BTS),
whose range of products is to be
maintained as a second brand name,
debitel is in second place in Germany
after Mannesmann Mobilfunk, with a
19% market share (1993: 11%). debitel
and BTS have taken steps to counter the
loss of receivables outstanding that is
especially serious in the mobile com
munications market and represents a
major burden on the annual financial
statements. In an effort to better limit
losses, they are geared toward credit
solvency-oriented growth. The division
still managed to more than double the
number of customers - even without
considering BTS. In Germany, around
320,000 customers utilized the services
of our two mobile communications
companies at year-end.
The French affiliated company
2MTEL, which we are also operating
jointly with our Europe-wide partner
Metro, has in the meantime acquired
around 30,000 subscribers. That cor
responds to a share of 6% of the French
digital mobile communications market.
debitel Niederlande has handled around
15,000 customers since the official
network startup in July 1994, which
corresponds to a market share of 12%.
Real Estate Management: Progress
at Potsdamer Platz on Schedule
After excavation work began in the
spring of 1994, the cornerstone for the
construction project on Berlin's Potsda
mer Platz was laid in October, a project
which debis Immobilienmanagement
(dIM) is managing for Daimler-Benz AG.
Construction continues to proceed com
pletely on schedule. Thus, it is currently
projected that the first segment of con
struction will be completed in 1997.
During the past year, dIM has al
ready managed to win over the first
attractive operators for a hotel, a
musical theater, a cinema complex, and
retail operations in the area offering
340,000 square meters of gross floor
space
In addition, the company has begun
offering developer and facility manage
ment services for other properties. In
this context, usage analyses and market
ing concepts are formulated for various
properties.
Outlook
Based on past performance, debis is
confident that it can take advantage of
the opportunities present in the consist
ently dynamic services sector. This posi
tive expectation applies both to further
increases in sales and to profits.
The restructuring measures taken in
the past, especially in the area of infor
mation technology, already had an effect
in the most recent financial year. For
that reason we are confident that we
will further raise and solidify the earning
power in this area. In the New Federal
States, the consolidation of the individ
ual divisions of Systemhaus will make it
possible to centralize the development
of solutions for all work areas. We will
place particular emphasis on expanding
comprehensive business solutions.
38
Daimler-Benz InterServices (debis)
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Central Corporate Functions
Research and Technology
Internationalization is also accelerating in the Research and Technology
Department. Greater international cooperation in several projects in 1994
was accompanied by the establishment of new research centers in the
U.S.A. and in China. A worldwide sensation was caused when we presented
Europe's first roadworthy vehicle with a fuel cell that operates under
ordinary conditions. At the same time, we have taken over the market
leader position in this technology segment.
First Roadworthy Vehicle
with Fuel Cell
In the worldwide search for alter
native automobile propulsion systems,
Daimler-Benz has reached an important
milestone: Europe's first vehicle with a
fuel cell that operates under ordinary
conditions was unveiled to the public in
May 1994 at the new Research Center
in Ulm. The fuel cell generates electrical
current directly from hydrogen gas. The
propulsion system is emission-free. The
only by-product of the "cold combus
tion" is water vapor.
Our position as market leader in this
technology was attainable only through
cooperation from several sectors. We
consolidated the fuel-cell research
activities, formerly established at three
subsidiaries, into one project under
Research and Technology. In addition,
we secured expertise not already avail
able within the group through interna
tional cooperation.
Now that Daimler-Benz has demons
trated that the fuel cell used is suitable
in principle and can be integrated in a
vehicle, researchers are working on
ways to reduce the cost, volume and
weight of the new propulsion system.
They also hope to improve its efficiency
and substitute liquid methanol for the
hydrogen gas currently used as the
energy source. When they succeed, the
ranges common today for vehicles that
run on gasoline or diesel fuel will be
attainable for the first time with an
electric vehicle.
With our expertise in fuel cell tech
nology, we also hope to play an import
ant role in the promising market of
decentralized electric power supply.
However, it will take several more years
of research and development work
before the new technology is ready for
the market.
"Innovation Campaign" in Research
The success of the fuel cell research
is a result of Research and Technology's
effort to expedite the transfer of know
ledge from research to product and to
foster innovation.
Also serving this goal was the "Inno
vation Campaign" begun in 1994. Its
purpose is to strengthen internal and
external factors that promote inno
vation, to reinforce international ties,
and to intensify interdisciplinary
cooperation.
This program is supported by a
newly developed procedure for planning
research activities, which not only
demands innovation and but also
advances it.
Strategy Workshop
As part of the annual strategy work
shop, a process was introduced for crit
ically reviewing the allocation of funds
for research areas and projects. Its
objective is to adapt research priorities
to new knowledge and internal reorient
ation. Less successful projects are
discontinued and the funds reallocated
to new and innovative undertakings. As
a result, 20 long-range projects were
defined, and it became evident in the
process that information technology in
particular would become considerably
more important in research.
Daimler-Benz Research Prize
Awarded
The Daimler-Benz Research Prize is
awarded to employees in Research and
Technology who have made outstanding
achievements. With this prize, we aim to
reward outstanding work at Daimler-
Benz with an additional bonus over and
above the usual remuneration systems,
in order to increase employee motiva
tion.
The prize was awarded in 1994 for
the first time. It went to Dr. Peter
Konhauser, Prof. Boris Kerner and Mar
tin Schilke, who were honored for their
in-depth studies of the phenomenon of
traffic congestion. Their work made
possible the development of a new
model that can help simulate traffic flow
on highways. The newly gained know
ledge will enable us to develop approp
riate measures for optimizing traffic
flow.
Research and Technology
Research Audit, a Research
Evaluation Process
New Research Center
Established in U.S.A.
Procedures to determine the effici
ency and effectiveness of research are
being sought worldwide. In this context,
Daimler-Benz developed and implemen
ted the "research audit", in which re
search fields of strategic importance
are evaluated against world standards
and the competition, as well as for their
prospects of success. The audit is based
on firmly established criteria. Both in
ternal decision-makers and outside
experts take part in the process.
Daimler-Benz subjects about four
research areas to this audit annually.
So far the process has brought valuable
information to light, for example in
optical character recognition and in
combustion research, which allows us
to assess the status of our research
accurately by international standards.
It has also reinforced our resolve to
become a leader in all relevant research
fields by world standards.
Cooperation with the Chinese
Academy of Sciences
Another step toward internationali
zation in the research sector was the
establishment of a joint research insti
tute with the Shanghai Institute of
Metallurgy, a member of the Chinese
Academy of Sciences. This cooperative
project in the field of packaging tech
nology for microelectronic components
is connected with a joint venture, TEMIC
TELEFUNKEN microelectronic GmbH.
The joint venture, also headquartered in
Shanghai, took over final production of
semiconductor components destined for
the world market. With new packaging
technologies, we hope to secure and
enhance TEMIC's competitive edge in
power semiconductor technology.
Another result of the innovation
process is the Daimler-Benz Research
& Technology Center established in
California. Its purposes are to arrange
contacts and cooperative projects with
other research institutions in the U.S.A.
and to observe technological develop
ments on site. The research center,
which became operational at the end
of 1994, will also undertake its own
research, especially in information
technology and microelectronics. In
addition, it will conduct research in
the field of "technology and society".
Research Projects to Increase
Production Efficiency
In national, pan-European, and glo
bal cooperation, our researchers are
working on projects to improve effici
ency in production.
The pilot phase of the aerospace
and automotive industry's pan-European
project "AIT-Advanced Information
Technology in Design and
Manufacturing", which we
initiated, began in 1994.
In this project, over thirty
manufacturers and supply
companies aim to pool
their research potential
and make use of the
latest information tech
nology to shorten dev
elopment and production
times drastically in the
future. The procedure
used heretofore was
reversed, in that for the
first time users of the
information technology
defined the demands to be placed on
the future technology and set the
priorities important for them. In the
main phase, which will begin in 1995,
they will work jointly with the suppliers
of information technology to put the
results of the research projects into
practice.
Research and Technology
Global Networking
In support of the globalization of the
group, Daimler-Benz is currently devel
oping a series of innovative procedures
that will make intercontinental net
working possible. An example of this
cooperative work is the "Live-Board", an
electronic panel currently being tested
in a pilot program at AEG Bahntechnik,
with which empirical data are currently
collected from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
and Nuremberg, Germany, as well as
from the research center in Ulm,
Germany.
sight simulation. At the same time, the
data processing system was brought up
to date. The simulator's range of move
ment has been increased, which essent
ially allows more realistic movements
and thus offers a broader range of
benefits.
During the last years, the driving
simulator furnished valuable information
about the behavior of automobile dri
vers. In addition, Mercedes-Benz uses it
intensively in the development of new
model series to study driving behavior
even before a prototype is built.
Germany as Innovation Site
In view of the increasing inter
national competition to which German
industry is exposed, we have joined in
the public discussion concerning
Germany's future as a site for industry
and research. Daimler-Benz would like
to contribute to this dialog, in the
interest of using the funds for research
as efficiently as possible. We therefore
advocate a research policy that has the
common support of industrial, scientific,
and political communities and will
ensure the future of German industry.
Lower Pollutant Emissions and
Fuel Consumption
Independent of its research in alter
native propulsion systems, Daimler-Benz
will continue to pursue its goal of devel
oping engines with lower emissions and
fuel consumption. For this research, we
have the most up-to-date engine-testing
stations in Europe. We believe that it is
possible to reduce hydrocarbon and
nitrogen oxide emissions much further.
We are convinced that the potential for
conserving fuel is far from exhausted.
Fiber-Reinforced Plastics
Daimler-Benz also sees potential for
conservation in materials, whereby "in
telligent light-gauge construction" merits
special attention. Based on expertise
derived from aerospace, we are working
intensively to lay the technological
groundwork for the economical use of
fiber-reinforced plastics in motor vehic
les and rail cars. The current projects
have already shown that even the pas
sive safety of future vehicles can be
significantly improved.
Reactivation of the
Driving Simulator
In the winter of 1994, the driving
simulator in Berlin was officially put
back in operation following an eight-
month period of remodeling. After
almost ten years of use, an extensive
overhaul was needed in the area of
Daimler-Benz also played a sub
stantial role in the establishment of the
project ProSTEP in the spring of 1994.
The goal of this project is to enable the
exchange of standardized electronic
processing data, for example between
automobile manufacturer and suppliers,
and thus considerably shorten produc
tion time. Meanwhile nearly 100 comp
anies - including some from Italy,
Sweden and Switzerland - have joined
in this initiative.
Under the auspices of the research
program IMS-Intelligent Manufacturing
System, we are working with partners in
Canada, the U.S.A. and Australia. The
sub project "Rapid Product Develop
ment", completed in 1994, was a study
not only of how the prototype of a
product can be quickly produced from
CAD data in the future, but also of how
electronically readable design data can
be quickly retrieved from a modified
prototype.
The "Process Chain" Program
Information technology is also used
to support process chains in the manu
facturing of a product. In contrast to
isolated applications still widely used,
continuous information technology
systems and software aim to optimize
the process chain as a unit. The primary
goal is to improve product run times in
manufacturing.
In addition to four pilot projects
pertaining to automobile, rail car and
aircraft construction, the program also
addresses comprehensive interdiscip
linary topics, in order to quantify the
attainable benefits of the program,
expand expertise within the group, and
facilitate the exchange of practical
knowledge.
Research and Technology
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ITF Intertraffic Concentrates on
the Environment and Mobility
ITF Intertraffic, a company special
izing in integrated traffic management
systems, draws on the knowledge of the
entire group with the goal of this expert
ise as a service. In February 1995, ITF
opened an office in Berlin, where it will
develop traffic concepts for Berlin and
the New Federal States.
Market Preparation for
Microelectronic Components
Our efforts to transfer research
knowledge into products at a faster
pace are showing the first signs of
success in the Microelectronics Divisi
on. Here we have gained a position of
world leadership in silicon germanium
transistors, which are indispensable as
electronic switches. These transistors
make excellent switching components,
e.g. for the growing mobile communic
ations sector, for satellite communic
ations, or for global vehicle position
indication systems. TEMIC is now work
ing to translate the existing possibilities
into products. Series production will
begin soon in Heilbronn.
In addition, researchers in Ulm hope
to develop technologically superior and
less expensive switching elements
based on the silicon germanium com
pound, as opposed to the components
currently in use based on pure silicon.
Matra MHS, one of TEMIC's joint
ventures, has taken this project under
its wing.
PROMETHEUS Project
Successfully Concluded
The research project "PROMET-
HEUS-Programme for a European
Traffic with Highest Efficiency and Un
precedented Safety", which Daimler-
Benz initiated several years ago in
cooperation with the European auto
mobile industry, was successfully
concluded in 1994. Preliminary market
research generated many suggestions
for new products. The findings of the
study in the area of automotive safety,
comfort, and environmental compat
ibility are now being put into practice.
One result of the PROMETHEUS
project is the Daimler-Benz experimental
vehicle VITA II (Vision Technology Ap
plication), which is computer-controlled
and requires no human input. It is
capable of recognizing objects and can
independently adjust distance intervals
and speed to the given situation. This
"computer vision" enables the vehicle to
change lanes and pass other vehicles
automatically without collision. It is
supported by the ability to recognize
traffic signs.
In addition, the PROMETHEUS pro
gram also branched out into several
subprojects, one of which was "Fleet
Management". The knowledge gained
from this project is currently being
applied to new products in the
Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicle
Division.
The subproject "Dual Target Control"
is also being further pursued in the
traffic management project "STORM",
which tests modern traffic information
and advice systems in the Stuttgart
area. After construction of the infra
structure at the beginning of 1995,
STORM took over the pilot operation.
44
Research and Technology
Recycling — Less Pollution and
Greater Conservation of Resources
In the course of global industrializ
ation, it has become increasingly evi
dent that resources will not be available
forever and that nature's ability to ab
sorb pollutants is limited. Problems such
as the petroleum shortage and the
greenhouse effect cannot be solved by
our continuing to pursue the industrial
development course of the past; nor can
it be solved by placing the very concept
of the industrial society under question.
What we need are improvements in both
product and production technology, as
well as in the reprocessing and recycling
of used products and production waste.
Daimler-Benz research made visible
progress in these areas in 1994. Using
intelligent processing and recycling
procedures, and without harming the
environment, we succeeded in stripping
previously unrecyclable painted bum
pers of their paint and reclaiming the
Environmental Protection
Daimler-Benz stepped up its activities in the area of environmental
protection in 1994. With our reinforced efforts in waste prevention and
recycling, we are making a lasting contribution to the solution of environ
mental problems. We begin by considering environmental protection
aspects in the design of a new product, and we are pursuing the use of
natural raw materials. We are also concentrating on the separation of
waste into its individual materials and on the qualified processing of
these materials according to regulation.
Waste Legislation
The environmental legislation passed
in 1994 was essentially shaped by
developments in the field of waste law.
Now that the Basel Accord has been
translated into national law, the export
of waste into countries outside the EU
and EFTA is prohibited. It is also unlawful
to export waste for use in countries
outside the OECD if these countries
have neither signed the Basel Accord
nor concluded comparable bilateral
agreements. In such cases, the expor
ting country is obligated to retrieve any
waste exported illegally.
Also adopted in 1994 was an amend
ment to the waste law that had been
under discussion for many years: the
recycling law. The responsibility this
legislation places on the generator of
the waste in terms of production and
product underscores the need for the
diverse efforts of the Daimler-Benz
group in the field of waste prevention
and recycling.
Daimler-Benz Environmental
Report —Open Information Policy
on Environmental Data
With its environmental report, first
presented for the year 1993, the Daim
ler-Benz group lives up to the claim of
"open information" expressed in its envi
ronmental protection policy.
In this document, we report compre
hensively on the most important group
environmental data. The pollution levels
connected with production are dis
closed in the figures on significant
emissions, energy consumption, and
waste generation.
Also documented are the efforts the
group has made in recent years to mini
mize the effects of production on the
environment. Through several research
projects, some long-term, we show how
technological innovations can lead to
ecological improvements.
Investments and Expenditures for
Environmental Protection
Mainly due to special factors such
as the sale of the Domestic Appliances
Division, the investments made in the
area of environmental production were
slightly lower in 1994, at DM 133 million.
The highest single amount was contrib
uted by investments for the conversion
to water based paints in car production.
Meanwhile, expenditures for environ
mental protection -which, in contrast
to investments, better reflect the long-
term trend - rose to over DM 680
million.
Environmental Protection
45
Cooperation with Mitsubishi
The joint research efforts of Daimler-
Benz and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in
the field of recycling plastic and elect
ronic waste were intensified in 1994,
and the first phases were successfully
concluded.
Through a feasibility study, we
proved that the planned recycling pro
cess is technically viable. Its economic
feasibility is being studied in trials at the
institutional level. In addition, joint
ventures with Mitsubishi in other areas
of environmental technology are being
considered.
Building on the ecological balance
sheet project begun in 1992, Daimler-
Benz and Mitsubishi are stepping up
work on an instrument that indicates
environmental aspects of a component
at the design stage. It will help the
development engineer to recognize at
an early stage the ecological impact of
the materials used and of the production
and disposal or reclamation processes.
high-grade plastic (polycarbonate) as a
base material for new bumpers. The
resulting paint sludge is then processed
into secondary polyol, a high-grade base
material.
Another focus of our recycling
research at the Ulm Research Center is
the area of electronic waste processing.
Experimenting with new procedures, we
succeeded in separating metal, pre
cious-metal and plastic fractions on a
laboratory scale at a quality level never
before attained, thus laying the ground
work for high-grade reuse of the indi
vidual materials.
In addition to the various recycling
processes, we are also studying applic
ation possibilities for renewable raw
materials. Besides the advantages of a
natural material cycle, these raw mate
rials also have an even C02 balance. The
use of renewable raw materials in tech
nology - for example, in natural-fiber-
reinforced plastics - is only an inter
mediate step toward the production of
so-called "ecocomposites" in a biological
recycling process. In these fiber-
reinforced plastics, not only is the fiber
made of a renewable raw material, but
the plastic is also made from vegetable-
based oils. In addition to studying mate
rial properties, we are also developing
suitable processes for economically
recovering the usable fibers and oils
from plants and processing them into
components. The first concrete results
of these efforts have already been
carried over into series production.
Parallel to the research into the use
of new types of materials, we are also
investigating new possibilities for
environmentally friendly processing of
conventional components. For instance,
our goal in the dry processing project
was to find new production processes
and tool materials that would eliminate
the need for the ecologically unsound
cooling lubricants still necessary in
many areas.
46
Environmental Protection
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Daimler-Benz Aerospace had 75,581
employees at the end of 1994, and of
these, 60,082 in Germany. Because
business in the fields of aeronautics,
space systems, and defense technology
continued to be slow, extensive cuts in
the corporate structure and personnel
were necessary. Here again, we were
able to adjust capacities to a large
extent through normal attrition, early
retirement, severance agreements and
reduced working hours. But wherever
these possibilities did not suffice, we
had to announce layoffs. The entire
package of measures was the subject of
a June 1994 reconciliation of interests/
social compensation plan and included
the Lemwerder plant, which was taken
over by a company owned by the state
of Lower Saxony on January 1, 1995.
Daimler-Benz InterServices had a
total of 9,226 employees at the end of
1994, and of these, 7,817 in Germany.
While the employment situation was
tense in parts of the Systemhaus Divisi
on, expanding business enabled us to
hire new employees in the Mobile Com
munications and Financial Services
Divisions.
Personnel
In 1994, the number of employees in the Daimler-Benz group at the end of
the year dropped 10% to 3 3 0 , 5 5 1. The decline was primarily due to the
restructuring measures also implemented in 1994. Irrespective of the tight
personnel situation, the professional development of our core employees
and the maintenance of a qualified junior staff remained top priorities in
our Personnel Department.
Fit for Global Competition
The strategic realignment of busi
ness areas in the Daimler-Benz group in
1994 also affected the work of the per
sonnel departments. Their main task
was to keep abreast of the necessary
changes and help shape them.
In the future human resources will
be shaped by the need to work - and
especially to produce - closer to the
markets internationally, as well as by
further changes in the corporate
structure.
A special emphasis in this regard
Employment Situation
was the further decentralization of
corporate responsibility. We were able
to pass on to other divisions the ex
perience we had gained with smaller
business units over the past few years
in AEG Daimler-Benz Industrie and
Daimler-Benz Aerospace. To enable us
to act more quickly and directly in the
markets, we also optimized work flow
and set new challenges for ourselves in
the formulation of quality goals.
At the end of the year, 330,551 per
sons (1993: 366,736) were employed
in the Daimler-Benz group, and of these,
251,254(1993: 284,576) were in
Germany.
As in the previous year, we were able
to make most of the personnel cutbacks
in the German companies (95%) through
early retirement measures, severance
agreements, or outplacements. Layoffs
were announced only in exceptional
cases. Further personnel adjustments
will therefore be necessary in 1995.
At Mercedes-Benz a total of 197,568
persons were employed at the end of
1994, and of these, 148,194 in Germany.
Hours had to be reduced only for some
workers in the Commercial Vehicles
Division. In the Passenger Cars Division
we were again able to conclude a limited
number of fixed-term work agreements,
because of the sharp increase in de
mand in the last half of the year.
AEG Daimler-Benz Industrie had a
total of 44,769 employees at the end of
1994, and of these, 31,828 in Germany.
Reduced working hours remained in
effect in several divisions. The Rail Sy
stems Division had a particularly tight
employment situation in 1994. The
Household Appliances Division, with
9,800 employees, was taken over by the
Swedish firm Elektrolux on September 30.
Personnel
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The group management function is
served by 520 (1993: 540) employees.
An additional 1,734(1993: 1,274)
employees are work on group research
projects at headquarters, and another
1,153 (1993: 1,170) work in service
capacities for the corporate units and
the Mohringen site.
A total of 3,407 (1993: 2,984)
persons were employed at Daimler-Benz
AG. The increase over the previous year
is due primarily to the integration of
research centers, to additional jobs for
undergraduate trainees and doctoral
candidates and to positions at head
quarters arising from the employment
initiative of the Daimler-Benz group.
Personnel and Social Welfare
Expenses / Company Pensions
Personnel expenditures amounted to
DM 30.1 billion in 1994. The core of our
employee benefit package is still the
company pension plan. Financed by the
company, the individual pension plans in
the Daimler-Benz group contribute to
the economic security of the employees
and their families in retirement as well
as in the event of disability or death.
The pension plans for top managers
have largely evened out within the
group. The goal, in principle, is fixed
compensation scales irrespective of
salary history. They are already fully in
effect at Daimler-Benz AG, Mercedes-
Benz AG, AEG Daimler-Benz Industrie,
and partially at DASA and debis. The
revision of older DASA pension plans
that do not conform with this principle is
underway. This measure ensures socially
equitable and financially uniform man
agement of the pension systems.
Capital Formation
Employees of Daimler-Benz AG and
Mercedes-Benz AG as well as some of
the debis member companies were able
to participate in the 1994 scheme for
the formation of private capital. Appro
ximately 47,000 employees - 31 % of
those eligible to participate - each
acquired an employee share of Daimler-
Benz AG at a preferential rate set by the
company.
1994 Collective Wage Agreements
In the Old Federal States, a 2% wage
increase was negotiated, effective June
1, 1994. Wages remained unchanged for
the first five months of the year. The
collectively bargained claim to special
payments was lowered by ten percent
age points. Through this arrangement,
combined with further cost-cutting
measures, we were largely able to avoid
a wage-based rise in personnel costs.
Within the framework of a collective
contract on occupational safety in effect
until the end of 1995, we made further
progress with the flexible structuring of
working hours. Furthermore, this con
tract makes it possible, for a limited
time, to reduce the work week from 36
hours to 30 hours through voluntary
shop agreements.
In the New Federal States, under a
graduated plan, the parties to the
collective contract raised wages to 87%
of the level of the Old Federal States,
effective July 1, 1994. After a further
step on July 1, 1995, to 94%, the planned
100% level will become effective July 1,
1996. This settlement affects most of
the roughly 10,000 employees of the
Daimler-Benz group in the New Federal
States.
Compensation Policy
In view of the economic situation, we
refrained from a general review and
increase of salaries in the German
companies of the Daimler-Benz group in
1994. The bonuses for managers were
cut.
The compensation systems were
reviewed in many parts of the group with
a view to the promotion of autonomous
managerial action. We decided to ex
tend the group-wide uniform system of
variable compensation based on qualita
tive and quantitative goal agreements,
already in effect at top management
levels, to the second management level
beginning in 1995.
50
Personnel
Junior Staff Development
Human Resource Development
Thanks to Our Employees
We could not have achieved our
renewed success without the efforts of
our employees. We extend our thanks to
everyone, and especially to the mem
bers of the labor councils and manag
erial committees at all levels of the
group, for their great commitment.
An important strategic task of the
Personnel department is the develop
ment of a qualified junior staff. In 1994,
in the context of our International Junior
Management Group, we offered 50
college graduates with internationally
oriented training an opportunity to
qualify for higher-level positions in the
group through project assignments in
Germany and abroad. Overall, some 200
junior management positions are
provided in the group.
To expand the development of junior
management staff beyond the filling of
existing positions, we offered 100
college graduates a one-year internship
to facilitate their entry into their career
field. Complementing this initiative were
additional programs and models in the
corporate units, such as part-time
opportunities at the entry level. We
continued to foster and expand our
contacts with colleges and universities,
and with students at both undergraduate
and graduate levels.
We also devoted special attention to
developing and securing junior technical
personnel, to maintain our preparedness
for expected medium- and long-term
needs.
At the end of 1994, there were
11,200 young people in vocational
training at our German locations, and
of these, 2,967 had begun their training
during that year. We provided training in
nearly 60 industrial/technical and 10
commercial career fields. In addition,
we have 15 special training programs
for high-school graduates, particularly
in professional academies.
Again the acceptance of trainees
posed problems. We tried to consider
the interests of our young employees
along with our own, through limited-term
and part-time contracts as well as a
number of permanent placements.
The strategic orientation at Daimler-
Benz requires a continuous, targeted
professional development program for
employees.
The change processes within the
group have the primary goal of confer
ring decision-making authority and
responsibility on our employees and
promoting independent managerial
action at all levels. This idea is fostered
not only through specialized continuing
education but also through the newly
implemented variable compensation
plan.
To add impetus to the growing desire
for new tasks and positions, we have
adopted a policy of assigning a manage
ment executive to any given task for a
limited term only. An internal publication
listing open management positions
throughout the group, also serving to
make employees' areas of competence
as broad as possible.
Another emphasis in personnel
development is the international orient
ation of employees. Along with sponsor
ship of the International Junior Manage
ment Group, our primary goal is to make
our German employees into even more
competent players in international busi
ness through job rotation, international
project work and network forums.
Preventive Health Care and
Occupational Safety
In our corporate social policy we
place great emphasis not only on
traditional preventive health care, but
also on the promotion of good health.
Our goal is to promote healthy behavior
among our employees and to make
them conscious of their individual
responsibility for their own health. We
consider this an investment in the
future.
For needs related to industrial health
and safety, we employed some 200 full-
time safety officers in Germany alone.
They provided advice and support in all
matters of safety in the workplace.
Personnel
1994 we established a Daimler-Benz
scholarship program for students at
Beida University, the largest and oldest
of the renowned institutions of higher
learning in Beijing. In this program, we
not only grant scholarships to students
with outstanding grades; we also provide
stipends for room and board for stud
ents from low-income families through
out the entire four years of study.
However, involvement and dialog
also require willingness to take a stand
at home and abroad on current socio
political issues. For instance, in co
operation with political, humanitarian,
and scientific institutions, we tackled
the subjects of xenophobia and vio
lence. In the model Youth Against
Violence project, we are working with
others to develop concrete solutions.
The Company´s Role in Society
In public relations work, our activity in 1994 was focused on supporting
and promoting the globalization of the group through appropriate
communication measures. One emphasis was the establishment of addi
tional group representation and liaison offices worldwide. We expanded
our social welfare activity by awarding scholarships to Chinese students.
Expansion of the Worldwide Public
Affairs Network
In 1994 we continued with the
development of group representation
and liaison offices begun in 1989. The
network now covers all strategically
significant regions. We have representa
tion in the important European cities of
Berlin, Bonn and Brussels, as well as in
Washington, Moscow, Beijing, Mexico
City, Tokyo and Jerusalem; there are
group liaison offices in London, Paris,
Singapore, Hong Kong, Cairo, Sao Paulo,
Mulgrave and Pretoria. These group
representation and liaison offices per
form tasks that are very important to our
internal and external communication as
well as to our entry in the markets. They
support our operating divisions by
accompanying political delegations as
they endeavor to open new trade
channels, particularly in the developing
markets of the Far East, Mexico/NAFTA
and the Middle East. The network is an
important early warning system for
changes in the general political and
socioeconomic climate. Finally, it
ensures that our active employees in the
respective regions are kept abreast of
corporate activity beyond their own
work areas.
International Presence Enhanced
Through group presentations and
informational events, as well as through
greater participation in fairs and exhibi
tions in the Pacific Rim and NAFTA, we
focused on regional interests in the
portrayal of our range of products and
services, just as we do in Europe. Ex
amples are the group exhibitions on
traffic and environmental technology in
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Waste-Tec
in Tokyo and Technogerma in Mexico.
We also increased our press and media
presence in the most important regions.
Enhancement and Concentration of
International Youth Advancement
In the interest of continuity, our
corporate grant activities are based on
long-term cooperation with international
institutions. Especially in regions of
growing significance to our business, it
is important that the Daimler-Benz
technology group enjoy respect and
public sympathy, not only because of
the technology and quality standards of
its products, but also because of its
public-mindedness and willingness for
dialog. We aim to be a responsible corp
orate citizen in the countries in which
we do business and are prepared to
accept the duties that go along with it.
Since 1991, our Award of Excellence
program, which includes thousands of
high schools and over 200,000 young
people, has made it possible for stud
ents from the U.S.A. and Canada to
spend several weeks in Germany. In
The Company's Role in Society
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Technology and the Environment
A number of new instruments were
developed to better communicate the
technological accomplishments and
potentials of the Daimler-Benz group to
relevant target audiences, particularly in
environmental matters. For instance, we
were the first German company to offer
a service that provides audio reports -
and since 1993 also audiovisual reports
- of selected events to radio and tele
vision broadcasters, and increasingly to
educational and informational institu
tions as well. These activities, which
have thus far focused mainly on Europe,
are being expanded.
Through the Daimler-Benz HighTech
Report, our quarterly technology maga
zine published in German and English,
over 100,000 subscribers around the
New Financial Disclosure Guidelines
When we went public at the New
York Stock Exchange in 1993, we
adjusted our financial disclosure policy
to the strict rules in effect there; similar
rules became effective in Germany in
1994 with the adoption of the Second
Law for the Promotion of the Financial
Market. Our clearing office, housed in
the Public Relations department and
operated jointly with Investor Relations
and the Legal department, examines
and distributes all corporate commun
ications intended for publication, from
the point of view that news relevant to
market prices is forwarded to all secur
ities and exchange commissions by the
stated deadline and made available to
the public according to regulation.
world are informed about
the technological inno
vations and leading ac
complishments of our
company, with good
response. We reach
an estimated 400,000
readers in 117 countries
with this publication.
Featured topics last year
were the fuel cell, with
which we are exploring
an alternative to the com
bustion engine in the
automotive sector; "in
telligent light-gauge con
struction", as applied to
road vehicles, aircraft,
satellites and rail cars; image processing
in factories, satellites and optical
character recognition.
For the first time in 1994, through a
detailed year-end environmental report,
we informed the general public of our
company's environment-related ac
complishments, thus continuing the
tactic of dialog, especially with environ
mental groups - something very few
companies have done so far.
The Company's Role in Society
The second capital increase, inten
ded exclusively for the employees of the
group, was carried out in November.
This was the first time we made use of
the capital approved for the issue of
employee shares, in the amount of DM
20 million. The new shares were issued
at a price of DM 832 and offered to
employees at DM 532, taking into
account the maximum amount permis
sible under the tax law. Thus Daimler-
Benz AG received additional stock
holders' equity of roughly DM 25 million.
The capital stock increased to DM 2,565
million.
We were able to meet our goal of
broadening our worldwide stockholder
base in 1994 by internationalizing our
offer and by creating a new globally
oriented underwriting structure. Besides
expanding the purchasing syndicate to
include foreign banks, we established an
international and a U.S. selling syndic
ate. These selling groups had the task
of selectively placing the new shares
procured by the purchasing syndicate
on the large capital markets, especially
in the U.S.A. Because of the high
demand in the U.S.A., the share of
American investors in the capital stock
increased to over 8%.
The funds generated from the capital
increases, together with our savings and
the capital available from other financ
ing, are used both for investments to
further corporate growth and for new
products and production facilities.
Finance and Materials
The main focuses of our financial activity in 1994 were two successful
capital increases. As a result, Daimler-Benz AG acquired a total of DM 3
billion in new stockholders1 equity. As a result of the New Federal States
Purchasing Drive, the Daimler-Benz group purchased goods and services
from Eastern Germany valued at one billion DM in 1994, reaching that level
a year ahead of schedule.
Group Treasury Expanded
In 1994 we expanded our central
Cash Management Department by
integrating our European group member
companies into the cash concentration
process technically and conceptually,
making it even more flexible and eco
nomical. We made greater use of the
commercial paper programs available in
various countries for short-term
financing of regular business traffic.
In the context of asset allocation,
funds available for a longer term were
invested in fixed-interest-rate instru
ments of first-class issuers. For these,
we use instruments of modern portfolio
management in which risk-control
factors are taken into account.
The duties of the foreign exchange
management consisted of recognizing
the currency risks in the area of opera
tion and limiting them through approp
riate hedging measures. We tailor the
hedging strategy in each case to foreign
exchange rate expectations, which are
constantly reviewed, adjusting the finan
cial instruments to individual currencies
and fields of business activity. Because
of our increased business volume in
newly industrializing countries, foreign-
exchange hedging is becoming increas
ingly important for currency risks in
these countries.
Outside capital for the group is pro
cured primarily through Daimler-Benz AG
and our network of regional holding and
finance companies. The sustained
growth of the Financial Services Division
led to a greater need for outside capital.
This need was covered to a large extent
through our Euro medium-term note
program, which we also use increasingly
to issue Eurocurrency loans. To enable
us to take advantage of opportunities
offered by the international capital
markets at any time, we have boosted
the program from two billion to three
billion U.S. dollars. We were able to
keep our group debt within bounds by
selling off sales financing receivables
in securitized form again in 1994.
For all treasury activities, limits were
set on contracting parties, transaction
types and dealers on the basis of risk
analyses. With the help of data-proces
sing systems, we not only keep track of
credit and market risks, but we also
examine liquidity, business and legal
risks.
Successful Capital Increases
More than four years after Daimler-
Benz AG's last capital increase in 1989,
we implemented two successful capital
increases in 1994. For the first, more
significant increase in June/July, we
raised the capital stock by DM 233
million to DM 2,563 million, at a ratio of
10:1, using part of the approved capital.
In addition, 4,659,276 new shares were
issued at a par value of DM 50. At an
issue price of DM 640, Daimler-Benz AG
gained a total of roughly DM 3 billion in
new stockholders' equity.
Finance and Materials
Financial Planning and Control
Sales and Project Financing
Investor Relations Activities
On the basis of our corporate financ
ial plan, we are optimizing the use of the
funds available to the group, our goal
being to minimize financing costs and at
the same time preserve the solid quality
of the group's financing. In 1994 our
quality claim was once again confirmed
by agency ratings of Aa3 by Moody's
Investors Service and AA- by Standard
& Poor's Ratings Group.
In addition to procuring outside
capital, our centrally controlled regional
holding and finance companies also
fulfill important internal capital alloca
tion functions. For instance, we en
hanced our potential in 1994 by estab
lishing a regional holding structure in
Mexico, which allows us to realize a
whole range of synergistic financial
effects there.
In 1994 we also devoted special
attention to capital tie-up within the
group. Despite a higher business
volume, we managed to reduce working
capital. We intensified our efforts to use
the capital tied up in noncurrent assets
efficiently. For the management of our
real estate in particular, we developed
concepts that allow more economical
use and improve the management and
organization of our real estate. For
individual properties with unneeded
space, we made plans to develop and
use them or otherwise turn them to
good account.
For marketing the products of our
group internationally, we see a growing
need for product and customer-specific
solutions beyond traditional export fin
ancing, which will allow us to offer suit
able financing and still hedge against
economic and political risks. In guarding
against outside risks, we are essentially
striving to select financing solutions that
will ease the strain on the balance
sheet.
We especially need new and innova
tive financing and hedging structures for
the projects of divisions involved in the
infrastructure sector. Financing models
from the private business sector are fast
gaining recognition.
While the economies in the countries
of Latin America, Central Europe and
the Far East continued to rally, the
political stability and general economic
conditions of some African and Eastern
European countries (including the CIS)
deteriorated in 1994, or they stabilized
at a low point. In these areas we re
sorted to state export credit insurance
wherever possible, although the restrict
ive authorization policy for credit insur
ance limited the financing possibilities.
The risk commitment of the international
banks continues to be limited. If any
acceptable solutions are to be found, it
will only be through elaborate structur
ing of financing.
Sponsorship programs offered by
public and supranational institutions for
the financing of delivery and investment
projects are important for the newly
industrializing and developing countries
of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, as
well as for the countries of Eastern
Europe and the CIS. For these countries,
financing is also possible within the
framework of technical assistance and
rehabilitation programs, which are used
to a very limited extent to finance our
group's products.
In the course of our investor rela
tions activities, we provided compre
hensive information about our business
and its development to financial analysts
and institutional investors, as well as to
our individual stockholders and potential
domestic and foreign investors. We
communicate with our stockholders, as
well as the general public, through our
annual report and through periodic in
terim reports.
For individual stockholders, we
cooperated with DG Capital Manage
ment in sponsoring an investor relations
forum in Düsseldorf/Neuss in October
1994. At this event, we provided over
1,000 interested guests with a brief
overview of the activities of the Daimler-
Benz group. In light of the overwhelm
ingly positive response, we will continue
to hold events aimed at communicating
with individual investors.
In addition, we address the informa
tional needs of institutional investors
and financial analysts through round-
table discussions and corporate pre
sentations. The sharply rising demand
for such programs reinforces our resolve
to intensify this form of communication
with the capital market in the future.
We hold the corporate presentations
in Germany, as well as in the major
financial centers abroad, in close
cooperation with renowned business
and investment banks. On the docket as
early as January 1994 was an extended
road show in the U.S.A., through which
we supported the placement of Daimler-
Benz shares from the holdings of the
Deutsche Bank. Over a period of ten
days, we made 11 presentations and
conducted 55 one-on-one sessions
in 21 cities.
Finance and Materials
To preserve jobs in the New Federal
States and increase them in some
cases, our purchasing drive is not
limited to awarding more contracts to
Eastern German businesses. We also
promote economic expansion by intro
ducing appropriate technology to our
suppler companies. Against this back
ground, our purchasing drive, scheduled
to continue until the end of 1996, is
increasingly becoming an industrializa
tion drive.
Again in 1994, our business policy at
home and abroad was in conformity with
the OECD Guidelines for Multinational
Corporations. The internal transfer
prices between the individual companies
in the group are set on the basis of the
"arms-length" principle.
Further highlights were the present
ations in connection with the introduc
tion of our shares on the Stock Ex
change of Singapore and the road show
we conducted in May and June in pre
paration for the capital increase. The
latter included events in Frankfurt,
Zurich, Paris, Vienna, London, and
Edinburgh, as well as in numerous
cities of the U.S.A.
Investments in Related Companies /
Mergers & Acquisitions
Within the framework of the general
corporate policy, we continued to work
on adjusting or rounding out the core
businesses of the group through joint
ventures, divestitures, and selective
acquisition, in order to safeguard our
competitive position. This activity inclu
ded working out a transaction structure,
determining valuations for enterprises,
performing business analyses (due dilig
ence) for purchasing procedures, and
developing investment and management
concepts.
In addition to our consultation du
ties, we administered the group assets.
The group's investments in subsidiaries
and affiliated companies were evaluated
in terms of their performance, and if
necessary corrective measures were
conceived jointly with the group plan
ning department and the corporate
units. These measures ranged from
optimization of the capital invested to
consideration of joint ventures and
divestitures.
In the context of portfolio-invest
ment management, we performed duties
related to service on the Supervisory
Boards of group member companies,
tracked and evaluated current projects
and prepared draft resolutions.
Global Sourcing Activities
With our global sourcing activities,
we were again able to increase purcha
ses from foreign suppliers. The expan
sion of our international supplier con
tacts also allows worldwide expertise to
flow into our products. Global sourcing
ensures us not only an influx of new
technology but also supplier prices at
the attractive world-market level. We
see new potentials for global sourcing
primarily in the input markets of the
Asian Pacific Rim.
In 1994, with the cooperation of all
corporate units, we held a group sup
plier fair focusing on Italy. Our buyers
were able to establish contacts with
over 100 capable suppliers in Italy, and
are now following up and expanding the
relations they forged. We realized the
first successes of the initiative before
year end, in contracts awarded to
companies that had participated in the
supplier fair.
Purchasing Drive in the
New Federal States
In 1994, one year earlier than ex
pected, the Daimler-Benz group reached
the DM 1 billion threshold for goods and
services purchased from the New Fed
eral States. The purchase volume will
continue to increase as companies in
Eastern Germany become better known
and expand on the existing commercial
contacts.
The purchasing activities were
shown to inspire great personal commit
ment and raise the self-confidence and
motivation of the people in the New
Federal States. Furthermore, our in
volvement so far has saved some 11,000
jobs.
Managers from the Daimler-Benz
group have sponsored 180 Eastern
German businesses to date. As a result
of this support, order volumes quadrup
led in comparison to 1993.
Finance and Materials
The Daimler-Benz Share
Interest in Daimler-Benz stock has increased worldwide. With the intro
duction of our shares on the Singapore stock market in May 1994, we
acknowledged the increased importance of Southeast Asia as an invest
ment region. After our capital increase in June 1994, the portion of Daimler-
Benz stock held in the U.S.A. rose to roughly 8% of our share capital.
The price of the Daimler-Benz share
essentially followed the course of the
market in general. At the end of the year,
our stock, at DM 759.50, stood 10%
below the relatively high level at the end
of 1993; in the preceding year, it had
gained more (+57%) than the DAX
(+47%).
In the first two months of 1995, after
an initial weak phase, the DAX began an
upward trend, only to be interrupted
toward the end of February by the strike
in the metal industry and a further drop
in the U.S. dollar. The price of a Daimler-
Benz share continued to lag behind the
general market during this period, and at
the end of February it was 6% below the
1994 closing price, while the DAX
declined only slightly.
After brisk activity in 1993, the
trading volume on the German stock
exchange declined in 1994. Trading in
Daimler-Benz stock declined 15% to 263
million shares. However, our stock re
mained one of the most heavily traded
securities on the German stock ex
change. This volume, at a market value
of DM 211 billion, represented 11% of
all domestic share trading. Also in the
German futures market, options on
Daimler-Benz shares, at one million
contracts, continued to be among the
most heavily traded securities.
International Financial Profile
The international range of investors
in our stock expanded again in 1994.
At the beginning of the year, Deutsche
Bank placed shares from its Daimler-
Benz holding on the American market,
thus reducing its stake in Daimler-Benz
AG to 24.4%. This move raised the
portion of our share capital held by
U.S. investors to over 7%.
Stock Exchange Trend
After the splendid record of the
previous year, the stock exchange year
1994 failed to meet our expectations.
The indexes declined sharply in all major
stock markets except for Japan. A prim
ary factor in the price declines was the
global rise in interest rates, which made
bonds appear much more attractive
than stock investments.
The German stock market was also
unable to escape the negative effects
of the bond market in the course of the
year, after the German stock index
(DAX) reached a record high of 2.271
points in the middle of May. It was only
the favorable prognoses for corporate
profits and the unexpectedly fast
recovery of the German economy that
kept prices from falling still further. At
the end of the year the DAX stood at
2,107 points - 7% below the closing
level of the previous year.
The Daimler-Benz Share
An investment in Daimler-Benz stock
for about twelve years calculates to an
average return of 9.6% per year. For a
commitment of only three years, on the
other hand, it was -0.7%. The assump
tion in these calculations is that the
proceeds from the stock rights and the
cash dividends (excluding tax credit)
were always reinvested in Daimler-Benz
shares and that the investor made no
additional payments.
In May we became the first German
Widely Held Stock
company to introduce stocks in Singa
pore. As on the New York Stock Ex
change, they are traded in Singapore
in the form of Singapore Depository
Shares (SDS). The SDS are issued in
U.S. dollars and denominated at one
tenth of the par value of a German
share, just as they are in New York.
At the time of our capital increase
in June 1994, stock rights not used in
Germany were largely placed in the
United States, so that the portion of
American-held shares increased to more
than 8% of our capital stock. We expect
this percentage to increase in the next
few years.
Since the stockholders voted an
authorized but unissued capital increase
in the amount of DM 300 million at the
Annual General Meeting in May 1994,
we can now also issue convertible
bonds up to a par value of DM 2 billion
until 1999. In addition, DM 367 million
in approved capital is available for rights
issues until the middle of 1996, and
roughly DM 18 million for the issue of
employee shares until the beginning of
1999.
Today Daimler-Benz stock is listed
on nine foreign stock exchanges:
After Deutsche Bank, at 24.4%, the
Emirate of Kuwait is the second-largest
shareholder of Daimler-Benz at almost
13%. Stella Automobil-Beteiligungsgesell-
schaft mbH, which formerly held a 12.3%
share, was merged with our company in
March 1995. Just under two-thirds of our
capital stock is now widely held. With a
market value of DM 36.6 billion (end of
February 1994) and over 450,000
stockholders, Daimler-Benz is one of
Germany's largest public corporations.
Dividend 11 DM for Each Share
of DM 50 Par Value
For the financial year 1994, a divi
dend of DM 11 (1993: DM 8) for each
share of DM 50 par value will be pro
posed at the Annual General Meeting on
May 24, 1995. For stockholders subject
to income taxes in Germany, the gross
dividend amounts to DM 15.71.
Good Return Prospects
A long-term investment in Daimler-
Benz stock has good return prospects,
although interim price declines, such as
the one in 1994, can also result in a
much lower or even negative return.
On the other hand, slump periods offer
favorable striking prices and thus the
prospect of a high return. Foreign
investors also have the chances and
risks due to fluctuation in the exchange
parities, so that the return can deviate
considerably from the return in German
marks.
The trading volume for our stock on
foreign stock exchanges reached 20
million shares in 1994. Trading was
especially heavy in London and New
York.
The Daimler-Benz Share
Discussion and Analysis of the Financial Situation
The rise in the consolidated net income in 1994 from DM 0.9 billion (1993:
DM 0.6 billion) inadequately reflects the improvement in performance in
the operative area, since the previous year's figure was characterized by
high non-recurring earnings. The net income determined on the basis of
U.S. accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) shows a turnaround from DM -1.8
billion to DM 1.1 billion. The operating profit also improves clearly from
DM -3.3 billion to DM 2.7 billion.
Statements of Income According
to Cost-of-Sales-Method
In 1993, for the first time for a Ger
man company, we published a reconcil
iation of net income and stockholders'
equity according to the German
Commercial Code to values under U.S.
GAAP. The response of the financial
press and the widespread approval by
analysts and investors have confirmed
that the international financial world
welcomed our step.
The financial analyses since pub
lished on Daimler-Benz reveal that in
their statements and recommendations,
leading financial analysts rely predomi
nantly on U.S. figures. The most import
ant reason is perhaps that American
accounting practices are accepted
worldwide, and hence allow accurate
comparisons irrespective of a comp
any's home base. Therefore, we will
continue to observe the trends in inter
national accounting with utmost care,
and we will also critically participate in
the discussion of future developments
in the interest of providing maximum
disclosure and improved quantitative
information to our investors.
To best meet these goals, we have
changed the presentation of the state
ments of income to the internationally
accepted cost-of-sales-method; data for
1993 have been reclassified accordingly.
Aside from recording expenses based
on the functional areas of production,
sales, and general administration,
another factor distinguishing the cost-
of-sales-method from the previously
used total-cost-method is that interest
income from the sales financing busi
ness and interest expenses from the
refinancing of leasing and sales finan
cing activities are no longer recorded
under interest income net, but rather
under sales or cost of sales.
Consolidated Net Income Up by
DM 280 Million to DM 895 Million
The consolidated financial state
ments according to the German Com
mercial Code were characterized in
1994 by a substantial improvement of
operating income; non-recurring income
is included to a much lower extent than
in 1993.
Sales rose by 5.6% to DM 104.1
billion in 1994. Of critical importance to
this development was the strong growth
in business volume at Mercedes-Benz.
debis too was able to achieve a marked
increase in sales. In contrast, revenues
decreased at AEG Daimler-Benz Indu
strie, based on changes in the con
solidated group, as well as at DASA,
due to the persistently poor demand for
aircraft and budget restrictions in the
public defense and aerospace areas.
After subtracting the cost of sales,
which because of cost-cutting measures
showed a disproportionately low increa
se of DM 0.4 billion to DM 90.3 billion,
and which dropped from 91 % to 87% as
a percentage of sales, the gross profit
rose by DM 5.2 billion to DM 13.8
billion.
Total selling expenses increased by
DM 0.2 billion to DM 11.1 billion; as a
percentage of sales they remain at 11%.
The absolute level of general administra
tive expenses dropped by DM 0.2 billion
to DM 3.3 billion, so that the correspon
ding percentage is only 3.2% (1993:
3.5%).
Of the basic types of expenses
contained in selling and general admini
strative expenses, personnel expenses
decreased by DM 3.7 billion to DM 30.1
billion, reflecting the lower number of
employees and lower additions to
restructuring provisions. In contrast,
as a result of the pronounced increase
in production at Mercedes-Benz, the
costs of materials rose considerably by
DM 5.2 billion to DM 56.3 billion.
The financial result in 1994 was low
(DM 0.2 billion) as compared to 1993
(DM 2.2 billion) showing much higher
figures due to the sale of securities.
Another negative element was the fact
that provisions had to be made for
losses on the investment portfolio and
securities due to the drop on the bond
market.
Calculated on comparable bases, the
results from ordinary business activities
clearly improved from DM -1.5 billion to
DM 2.1 billion.
After subtracting the income taxes,
which rose from DM 0.5 billion to
DM 1.2 billion as a result of increased
profits of the foreign Mercedes-Benz
production and sales companies, net
profit is up from DM 615 million to
DM 895 million. This increase inade
quately reflects the improvement of the
operating profit from DM -3.3 billion to
DM 2.7 billion. Non-recurring income of
DM 1.4 billion was included in 1994 as
well, of which DM 0.6 billion related to
the deconsolidation of MBL Fahrzeug-
Discussion and Analysis of the Financial Situation
61
The main contributor to the debis
operating profit, which was virtually
unchanged as compared to 1993, was
the Financial Services Division. Signi
ficant improvements were seen at
Systemhaus and Mobile Communi
cations Services.
In contrast to the net income
according to the German Commercial
Code, net income according to U.S.
GAAP shows a clear turnaround from
DM -1.8 billion to DM 1.1 billion. This
was due to the fact that non-recurring
income was eliminated from the 1993
net income. Although the U.S. net
income is thus in the same order of
magnitude as the net income according
to the German Commercial Code, there
are significant differences in the com
position of the respective values (see
reconcilation chart on page 67). In the
reconciliation to U.S. GAAP, non-recur
ring income from deconsolidation of the
domestic leasing company and the
capital gains from divestments at Fokker
were eliminated. In contrast, net income
is increased by the fact that under U.S.
GAAP unrealized profits from financial
instruments must be recognized. The
differences in determining and calculat
ing deferred taxes and provisions also
have a positive effect on net income.
Balance Sheet and
Statements of Income Influenced
by Financial Services Business
Both the statements of income and
the balance sheet of the Daimler-Benz
group are still strongly influenced by the
continued expansion of our leasing and
sales financing business.
Leasing GmbH & Co. KG and DM 0.4
billion related to capital gains from
divestments at AEG Daimler-Benz Indu
strie and Fokker, each. These earnings
were offset by restructuring expenses
totaling DM 1.1 billion (1993: DM 3.5
billion) associated with the measures
to restructure technical capacities and
reduce the workforce. The reconciliation
of the operating profit to the results
from ordinary business activities is
shown on page 66.
Decisive factors for the rise in
operating profit at Mercedes-Benz
included the expansion of passenger
and commercial vehicle sales and the
cost-cutting measures implemented in
previous years. Restructuring expenses
related to personnel amounted to only
DM 0.3 billion, compared to DM 1.7
billion in 1993.
The contribution to profit from AEG
Daimler-Benz Industrie includes gains
from the sale of the Domestic Applian
ces Division and of the power meters
and lighting systems company units,
totaling DM 0.4 billion. A further im
provement of DM 0.4 billion resulted
from the reduction in restructuring
costs.
Net losses of DASA were reduced
considerably because of, except for
Fokker, improved operating results. A
positive effect was due to lower re
structuring expenses of DM 0.7 billion
(1993: DM 1.1 billion). The persistently
difficult market for civil commercial
aircraft and the restrictive budget policy
in the areas of defense and aerospace
hindered a further improvement in
performance.
Our stock of leasing and sales
financing contracts comprises a total
volume of future payments amounting
to DM 20,274 million, distributed over
the coming years as follows:
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000,
there-
after
in millions of DM
7,716 5,452 3,931 1,975
752
448
Changes in the Consolidated
Balance Sheet Through
Capital Increase
The group's total assets increased
2.9% to DM 93.5 billion as a result of
the mid-year capital increase and the
further expansion of the leasing and
sales financing business. A neutralizing
effect was provided by the restructuring
of the domestic leasing business and
the sale of company units at AEG Daim
ler-Benz Industrie. On the whole, non-
current assets increased 2.5% to DM
36.2 billion. Without the influence
of the financial services business, non-
current assets rose by DM 1.4 billion to
DM 24.9 billion. While property, plant
and equipment decreased by DM 1.2
billion to DM 17.7 billion due to high
depreciations on investments made in
the preceding periods with a low level
of additions, financial assets increased
by DM 3.4 billion to DM 7.4 billion. This
reflects both the reclassification of long-
term securities from current to non-
current assets and the restructuring of
the domestic leasing business, since the
previously fully consolidated company
is included as an associated company
at equity and is recorded under financial
assets. Similar considerations apply to
the decrease of the book value of leased
equipment by DM 1.7 billion to DM 10.2
billion; without this effect, there would
have been a further increase of this
caption in the balance sheet. Thus, the
investment quota (excluding the effect
of the financial services business)
increased from 25.8% to 26.6%.
Receivables from sales financing
business increased again, by 15.9%
to DM 10.2 billion.
62
Discussion and Analysis of the Financial Situation
The decrease in net inventories
by DM 2.0 billion to DM 15.0 billion
is primarily due to lower inventories
at the foreign sales companies of
Mercedes-Benz and at Airbus and
Fokker. As a result of the capital in
crease, liquid assets increased by one-
third to DM 14.0 billion; their share of
total assets rose from 11.5% to just
under 15%.
On the liabilities side, stockholders'
equity - excluding planned dividend
distribution - increased by DM 2.0 billion
to DM 19.7 billion. Transfers from the
capital increase and from net income
were partly offset by decreases in
stockholders' equity due to currency
influences and offsetting goodwill
resulting from the acquisition of shares
in DASA from the State of Bavaria. On
the whole, stockholders' equity as a
percentage of total assets rose from
19.5% to 21.1%. Without the financial
services business, which due to busi
ness considerations was predominantly
externally financed, stockholders' equity
as a percentage of total assets is 27.6%
(1993: 26.0%); coverage of the non-
current assets (without the influence
of the financial services business) by
stockholders' equity increased from
77.5% to 79.1%.
Liabilities from leasing and sales
financing continued to rise, up 6.5% to
DM 14.5 billion. In contrast, provisions
decreased slightly by 0.8% to DM 35.6
billion. While pension accruals rose only
DM 0.4 billion to DM 13.2 billion due
to normal additions, the DM 0.7 billion
drop in other provisions to DM 22.4
billion is related to the utilization of
the restructuring provisions set up in
previous years. Both the non-current
assets (without the influence of the
financial services business) and the net
inventories continue to be covered by
stockholders' equity and long- and
medium-term provisions.
On page 64 we have provided the
segment report based on German
accounting in the same form contained
in the report according to Form 20-F,
which we will file with the SEC.
Discussion and Analysis of the Financial Situation
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
Considerably Up
The increase in the cash flow from
operating activities to DM 11.3 billion
reflects both the improved operating
income and the decrease in working
capital. At DM 10.6 billion, the cash flow
from investment activities remained
similar to 1993 (DM 10.5 billion). This
was due to lower net expenditures for
our leasing and sales activities (1994:
DM 4.9 billion; 1993: DM 6.6 billion)
and for investments in related comp
anies. Additionally, this was due to
outflows of funds for short-term capital
investments amounting to DM 2.0 billion
after DM 1.0 billion had flowed in during
1993. We expect investments in the
Daimler-Benz group to remain high in
the coming years as well.
The cash flow from financing activ
ities was principally influenced by the
capital increase of Daimler-Benz AG
(DM 3.0 billion); outside financing in
creased by DM 0.7 billion. The financial
trend is reflected in the increase in cash
by DM 0.4 billion to DM 6.9 billion and
in liquidity by DM 3.5 billion to DM 14.0
billion.
Additional Information
in Accordance with the
U.S. Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP)
With the listing of Daimler-Benz
stock on the New York Stock Exchange,
we are obligated to file an annual report
on Form 20-F with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC). Much of
the information contained in this report
is taken from our annual report; how
ever, additional data and financial
information are provided that were
determined on the basis of U.S.
accounting principles. Since there are
substantial differences, especially in net
income and stockholders' equity, the
reconciliations are required to convert
certain financial data from the German
consolidated financial statements to the
values calculated using the U.S. GAAP.
An explanation of the most important
items is provided on page 96.
66
Discussion and Analysis of the Financial Situation
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The consolidated financial state
ments have been prepared in accord
ance with German generally accepted
accounting principles ("German GAAP").
All amounts shown herein, unless
separately stated, are in millions of
German marks ("DM").
Accounting and Valuation
Where the circumstances are the
same within the consolidated group,
assets and liabilities are valued uni
formly in the consolidated financial
statements.
Intangible assets are valued at
The 1994 income statement has
been prepared according to the inter
nationally prevailing cost-of-sales
method for the first time. The figures
for the prior year were classified
accordingly; the net income remained
unchanged.
According to the cost-of-sales
method, operating expenses are
assigned to the functional areas of
manufacturing, distribution and general
administration. The manufacturing costs
of sales-generating activities are ident
ified in the statements of income under
cost of sales. This item also includes the
expenses for personnel and materials for
research and development, as well as
for warranties and the depreciation of
inventories. Also included in the cost
of sales is interest expenses from
refinancing the leasing and sales
financing business, which in previous
years was listed under net interest
income. The interest income previously
included in the net interest income from
the sales financing business is now
recorded under sales, resulting in a
slight change of the figure for the
previous year.
In the financial results we have
summarized the income from affiliated,
associated and related companies, net
interest income and other financial
results; the individual components
are explained in Note 26.
acquisition cost and are amortized on a
straight-line basis over their respective
useful lives. Goodwill resulting from
capital consolidation is amortized over a
period of five years, providing it relates
to the expansion of the group. Where it
relates to the restructuring of the group,
it is charged to retained earnings. Good
will resulting from strategic alliances is
split; the amount relating to the expan
sion of the group is charged to earnings
and the amount relating to restructuring
is charged to retained earnings.
Property, plant and equipment is
valued at acquisition or manufacturing
cost - less accelerated depreciation.
Additional depreciation is recorded
where a lower reported amount is
required. In addition, where applicable,
accelerated depreciation methods are
used in Germany pursuant to certain
sections of the German tax guidelines.
The manufacturing costs of comp
any-built equipment and facilities cover
direct costs, as well as allocable over
head costs of materials and manufact
uring, including depreciation.
Property, plant and equipment is
depreciated over the following useful
lives: 10 to 50 years for buildings, 8 to
20 years for site improvements, 3 to 20
years for technical equipment and
machinery and 2 to 10 years for factory,
office and other equipment. If equip
ment is used in multiple-shift opera
tions, the useful life is reduced
accordingly.
Buildings are depreciated using the
greater of the straight-line method or
the declining balance method. Moveable
property in Germany having a useful life
of four years or more is depreciated
using the declining balance method.
We employ the straight-line depreciation
method as soon as even distribution of
the residual book value over the remain
ing useful life yields larger depreciation
allowances. For foreign companies,
moveable property is depreciated for
the most part using the straight-line
method.
Depreciation on plant, property and
equipment additions in Germany during
the first and second half of the year is
calculated using full or half-year rates,
respectively, on the basis of the tax
simplification rule. Items having an
immaterial value are expensed when
purchased.
Investments in affiliated companies
and other financial assets are valued at
the lower of cost or market; long-term
non-interest or low-interest bearing
loans are recorded at present value.
Significant investments in associated
companies are valued at-equity
according to the book value method.
Leased equipment is valued at
acquisition or manufacturing cost. It is
depreciated to residual value primarily
using the declining balance method.
We employ the straight-line depreciation
method as soon as even distribution of
the residual book value over the
remaining useful life yields larger
depreciation allowances.
72
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Raw materials, supplies and goods
purchased for resale are valued at the
lower of cost or market; finished goods
are valued at manufacturing cost.
Manufacturing costs include direct
material, labor and applicable manufact
uring overhead including depreciation.
Loss provisions are recorded for
inventories that have long periods of
storage or changes in construction.
Non-interest or low-interest bearing
receivables and other assets with more
than one year remaining to maturity are
discounted as of the balance sheet date
and valued after taking into account all
known risks. An allowance for doubtful
accounts is deducted from the receiv
ables.
Short-term securities are valued at
the lower of cost or market as of the
balance sheet date.
Provisions for pensions and similar
obligations, including postretirement
medical benefits for retirees of U.S.
subsidiaries, are actuarially determined
on the basis of an assumed interest rate
of 6% using the entry age actuarial cost
method.
Provisions for taxes and other
provisions have been recorded using the
principles of reasonable accounting
valuation. The obligations in employee
benefits and social costs are generally
recorded for the most part using the
entry age actuarial cost method. Deriva
tive financial instruments (primarily
future exchange transactions and
currency options, interest rate and
currency swaps) are valued individually.
If there is a direct relationship between
a derivative financial instrument and a
basic transaction, a valuation unit is
formed. Provisions exist for interest rate
and currency risks as well as for general
credit risk.
Liabilities are recorded at their
repayment amount.
Consolidated Group
In addition to Daimler-Benz AG, the
consolidated group consists of 357
(1993: 305) domestic and foreign
subsidiaries and 16 (1993: 12) joint
ventures. The joint ventures are accoun
ted for using the pro rata consolidation
method.
During 1994, 80 subsidiaries and 5
joint ventures were added to the
consolidation.
Daimler-Benz Aerospace and the
Thomson-CSF group (France) contrib
uted individual divisions to new joint
ventures; the shares of the new joint
ventures are held equally. As they were
part of the group until mid-December
1994, the statements of income for the
contributed Daimler-Benz Aerospace
subdivisions are fully included. By
contrast, the balance sheets of the
joint ventures are included pro rata.
ElectroCom Automation, Inc. (Arling
ton, U.S.A.), which was previously in
cluded as a participation at equity (26%
share), was fully consolidated upon
acquisition of the remaining shares
in 1994.
Twenty-eight subsidiaries and one
joint venture were not included in the
consolidated group. The major effects
on the consolidated balance sheet and
on the consolidated statements of in
come are explained under the individual
balance sheet items.
As part of the further development
of our leasing business in Germany, MBL
Mercedes-Benz Leasing GmbH & Co.
oHG (Stuttgart) was transformed into
MBL Fahrzeug-Leasing GmbH & Co. KG
(Stuttgart) in which external bank
partners hold a total participation of
80%. Accordingly, MBL Fahrzeug-Lea
sing GmbH & Co. KG is no longer con
solidated as of June 30, 1994; instead,
it is included as a 20% investment at
equity.
Due to the sale of the domestic
appliances division of AEG Daimler-Benz
Industrie, 4 companies are no longer
included in the consolidated group.
Two hundred and ninety-one (1993:
271) subsidiaries were not included as
their effect on the financial position and
results of operation was not material. In
addition, 11 companies administering
external pension funds, whose assets
are subject to restrictions, have not
been included in the consolidated finan
cial statements. The entire consolidated
group of Daimler-Benz AG is contained
in the list of investment holdings filed in
the Stuttgart Commercial Register as
entry No. HRB 15 350.
Consolidation Principles
Capital consolidation is accomp
lished using the book value method by
netting the acquisition cost and the pro
rata share of stockholders' equity of the
subsidiary at the time of its acquisition
or when it is first included in the consol
idation. Joint ventures are also account
ed for under this method.
Wherever possible, the accrued
differences arising from capital consolid
ation are shown under the respective
consolidated balance sheet item and are
amortized to income over the expected
useful life. Goodwill is amortized in
accordance with the method discussed
in "Accounting and Valuation" above.
A deferred difference arising from
capital consolidation is shown separat
ely under "Other provisions" as "Differ
ence from capital consolidation with
accrual character."
Appropriated retained earnings of
acquired subsidiaries are included in
the company's retained earnings. The
unappropriated profit reported in the
consolidated financial statements repre
sents the unappropriated profits of
Daimler-Benz AG. Accordingly, the
proceeds from consolidation measures
affecting operating income and the
unappropriated profits of the subsid
iaries have been offset against the
retained earnings of the company.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
73
Investments in 143 associated comp
The difference resulting from the
currency translation of the balance
sheet items is charged or credited to
stockholders' equity; for companies
operating in highly inflationary countries
translation gains or losses are applied
to income.
Expense and income items and the
annual results are translated at the
annual average exchange rate. Where
such items concern non-current assets
and inventories of companies in highly
inflationary countries, the historical
exchange rates are used and the annual
results are adjusted accordingly. The
difference resulting after translation of
the change in reserves and the balance
sheet profit or loss is charged or
credited to the stockholders' equity.
anies are recorded in the consolidated
financial statements.
For the year ended December 31,
1994, 22 associated companies have
been included in the consolidated
financial statements at equity using
the book value method.
The remaining associated companies
are reported as investments at acquisi
tion cost net of applicable depreciation
because the ownership is immaterial to
the financial position of the company.
Payables and receivables between
the consolidated companies are offset;
differences resulting from the consolid
ation of debts are treated according to
their effect on results.
Intermediate results deriving from
transactions within the group are elimin
ated, if they are not already insignificant.
In the consolidated income statement,
proceeds from internal sales, as well as
other internal revenues, are charged
against the corresponding expenses.
The consolidated balance sheet
includes deferred taxes from elimination
procedures affecting net income.
Currency Translation
Foreign currency assets are translat
ed at the lower of the entry date ex
change rate or year-end exchange rate;
foreign currency liabilities are translated
at the higher of the selling rate on the
entry date or at the year-end selling
rate.
The year-end exchange rate is
generally used to translate balance
sheet items of foreign companies from
the respective local currency to German
marks. Excluded from this treatment are
the non-current assets and inventories
of companies in highly inflationary
countries, where historical exchange
rates are used.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Balance Sheet
At December 31, 1994, intangible assets amounting to DM 880 million (1993: DM 523 million)
consist of goodwill, acquired computer software, patents and, to a lesser extent, advance
payments. The increase over the previous year is related primarily to the acquisition of
ElectroCom Automation, U.S.A.
The year under review included additional amortization amounting to DM 9 million (1993:
DM 88 million).
The decrease in property, plant and equipment by DM 1,194 million to DM 17,727 million is a
result of DM 4,918 of depreciation expense, DM 757 million in disposals, DM -162 million in
currency fluctuations and DM -9 million in reclassifications; this amount is offset by DM 4,652
million in additions. In accordance with tax regulations, depreciation of DM 326 million (1993:
DM 76 million) was taken. Non-scheduled depreciation amounted to DM 148 million (1993:
DM 287 million).
As part of the first inclusion of subsidiaries, capital expenditures and depreciation increased
by DM 353 million and by DM 223 million, respectively.
The financial assets of DM 7,423 million (1993: DM 4,031 million) primarily include securities
in non-current assets and participations in associated companies.
The increase in financial assets is related primarily to the addition of MBL Fahrzeug-Leasing
GmbH & Co. KG which is now included as a 20% share under financial assets instead of being
consolidated. Moreover, due to an altered investment strategy, securities with fixed interest
rates were reallocated from current assets to non-current assets.
Non-scheduled depreciations amounting to DM 253 million (1993: DM 298 million) were
recorded in participations and participations in associated companies.
The decrease in leased equipment of DM 1,670 million to DM 10,209 million reflects primarily
the deconsolidation of MBL Fahrzeug-Leasing GmbH & Co. KG, effective June 30, 1994.
In accordance with the provisions of tax law, depreciation has been recorded in the amount of
DM 8 million (1993: DM 5 million).
The majority of the inventory is owned by Mercedes-Benz and Daimler-Benz Aerospace. The
decrease in 1994 is mainly due to a decrease in inventory levels at the foreign Mercedes-Benz
sales companies and fewer semifinished goods at Airbus and Fokker.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
75
Advance payments received in the amount of DM 6,788 million (1993: DM 7,317 million)
primarily represent projects and long-term contracts with AEG Daimler-Benz Industrie,
Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG, Fokker, Dornier and MTU. Such payments have been deducted
from inventories.
This item represents receivables from customers in the amount of DM 10,151 million (1993:
DM 8,771 million), of which DM 5,831 million (1993: DM 5,569 million) are long-term
receivables. An allowance for losses of DM 236 million has been recorded on these
receivables.
In 1994 we purchased a total of 78,705 treasury shares at an average price of DM 823 per
share to transfer to employees of Daimler-Benz AG and the corporate units and to fulfill the
exchange offer still in effect for AEG shareholders. Of this, 46,700 shares are allocated to the
capital increase for issuing employee shares and 32,005 shares to acquisitions in the market
(5,702 in March, 6,701 in April, 9,703 in October, 56,380 in November and 219 in December).
In November 1994, Daimler-Benz AG and the corporate units sold 46,969 shares (par value of
DM 2.3 million, or 0.09% of equity) to employees at a discounted price of DM 532 per share.
As part of the exchange offer, AEG shareholders received 31,736 Daimler-Benz shares. No
treasury stock was on hand on December 31, 1994.
Other securities consist primarily of fixed-interest debt instruments.
Certain current assets could have been increased by DM 22 million to their original values in
accordance with German GAAP; however, the revaluation was not recorded due to a negative
effect on currently payable income taxes.
76
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
The balance of DM 6,915 million (1993: DM 2,954 million) includes cash in banks, cash on
hand, cash in the German Bundesbank and Postbank as well as deposits in transit.
The liquid assets included in the various balance sheet positions total DM 14.0 billion (1993:
DM 10.5 billion); of this, DM 1.8 billion is committed between one and ten years through
valuation units with derivative financial instruments. The increase in liquid assets over the
previous year in the amount of DM 0.4 billion is related to the altered reporting of the checks
written to compensate for supplier commitments which were not yet redeemed by the receiver.
This item primarily reflects deferred rents, interest, insurance premiums and discount sums of
DM 26 million (1993: DM 16 million). In contrast to the previous year, at December 31, 1994,
deferred taxes generated from elimination procedures affecting income were reported as a
liability.
Stockholders' equity has developed as follows:
The offsetting of goodwill against stockholders' equity is based primarily on the acquisition of
all shares in Bayerische Beteiligungsgesellschaft fur Luft- und Raumfahrtwerte mbH, Munich,
which in turn holds 10% of the shares in Daimler-Benz Luft- und Raumfahrt Holding AG, Munich.
The capital stock increased by DM 235.3 million to DM 2,564.9 million through the capital
increase in June 1994 in the amount of par DM 233.0 million and the capital increase for
issuing employee shares in November 1994 in the amount of par DM 2.3 million. Following
these two capital increases, the number of votes is 51,298,736.
Of the DM 600 million of additional share capital approved on June 26, 1991, the remaining
amount is DM 367.0 million, which may be utilized until June 30, 1996. Of the DM 20 million
of additional share capital for issuance of employee shares approved on May 18, 1994, the
remaining amount is DM 17.7 million, which may be utilized until April 30, 1999. In addition,
as authorized by the shareholders on May 18, 1994, the company maintains authorized but
unissued capital in the amount of DM 300.0 million which is intended for the extension of
subscription rights to the holders of convertible bonds and options issued by the Board
of Management. No use has yet been made of this authorization, which extends through
April 30, 1999.
The increase in paid-in capital to DM 4,904 million (1993: DM 2,117 million) is to be attributed
to the premium from the two 1994 capital increases.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
77
Retained earnings contain the German statutory provision of DM 160 million and other retained
earnings of Daimler-Benz AG totaling DM 13,091 million. Retained earnings also include the
group's share of the consolidated subsidiaries' retained earnings and balance sheet results,
provided the earnings were generated by such subsidiaries since joining the company.
Additionally, retained earnings include the cumulative effect resulting from the elimination of
inter-company profits from the consolidation and foreign currency translation gains and losses.
The interest held by third-parties in the stockholders' equity of the consolidated subsidiaries
primarily consists of AEG Daimler-Benz Industrie, Daimler-Benz Luft- und Raumfahrt Holding
AG, Mercedes-Benz (Switzerland) AG, Dornier, MTU and Eurocopter.
In addition to the above, a negative minority interest amounting to DM 973 million relates to
Fokker.
Pension accruals have increased by DM 391 million to DM 13,150 (1993: DM 12,759 million) as
a result of the annual increase in pension provisions.
The pension accruals and the plan assets of the external pension plan fully fund the company's
pension obligations.
18 Other Provisions
12/31/94
DM in mill.
12/31/93
DM in mill.
The other provisions consist of:
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Liabilities to associated and related companies include approximately DM 77 million (1993:
DM 243 million) due to financial institutions. The remaining liabilities to associated and related
companies are primarily obligations of Daimler-Benz Aerospace Airbus GmbH to Airbus
Industrie G.I.E., Toulouse, and accrued liabilities of Daimler-Benz Aerospace due to project
companies.
Commercial paper is recorded at a discounted basis plus accrued interest.
Miscellaneous liabilities consist primarily of accrued payroll and related payroll withholding
tax deductions.
Liabilities to financial institutions, notes payable, liabilities to affiliated and related companies
and miscellaneous liabilities are secured by mortgages, liens and assignment of receivables
of approximately DM 911 million (1993: DM 1,934 million).
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Statements of Income
The selling and general administrative expenses include restructuring costs amounting to
DM 1,114 million (1993: DM 3,486 million). Interest expense from leasing and sales financing
business included in the cost of sales is DM 918 million (1993: DM 1,139 million). Miscel
laneous taxes total DM 297 million (1993: DM 390 million).
Other operating income primarily includes income from dissolved provisions in the amount of
DM 1,610 million (1993: DM 2,348 million). This item also includes income from the sale of
corporate units and from deconsolidations in the amount of DM 1,029 million and income from
land sales, which for the most part were further committed based on depreciation methods
pursuant to German tax law.
DM 2,718 million (1993: DM 3,581 million) of the other operating income relates to other fiscal
years.
Other operating expenses include increases to provisions that cannot be allocated to selling
and general administrative expenses as well as expenses from investment disposals.
DM 121 million (1993: DM 224 million) of the other operating expenses relates to other fiscal
years.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
The provisions for losses on financial assets and long-term investments total DM 552 million
(1993: DM.300 million).
The income taxes of DM 1,182 million (1993: DM 515 million) primarily represent income taxes
of the foreign Mercedes-Benz group companies.
The net group income of DM 895 million was influenced by statutory depreciation of financial
and current assets as prescribed by German tax law in the amount of DM 270 million. Future
effects are immaterial.
82
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Other Information
Derivative financial instruments are used to hedge against interest rate and currency risks.
They primarily cover the basic supplier and services transactions. They are used to a minor
extent to optimize the interest rate and currency results. Contracts are signed only with
reputable international financial institutions.
The derivative financial instruments are subjected to risk checks appropriate to the extent of
the transactions and are executed under strict functional division into trade, administration,
documentation and control. The necessary critical organization and work procedures are
stipulated by internal guidelines. The effectiveness of the internal controls and the reliability of
the procedures are subjected to continual examination. For decision-making purposes, the
current risk positions are presented in each case based on regular, standardized financial
reports.
The currency instruments relate primarily to future exchange transactions and options in the
currencies of the major industrialized countries. The interest-rate instruments primarily include
interest-rate swaps and combined interest-rate/currency swaps, forward rate agreements,
futures and related options. The face values are calculated from the non-balanced sum of all
buy and sell amounts for derivative instruments. The market values are derived from the prices
at which the derivative instruments are traded or quoted on the balance sheet date without
taking into account contrary trends in the basic transactions.
In addition, the company is liable for compensatory payments guaranteed by Daimler-Benz
Aerospace AG which cannot be reasonably estimated for 1995 and future years. For outside
shareholders of AEG AG and Daimler-Benz Luft- und Raumfahrt Holding AG, claims also exist
for compensatory payments which cannot be reasonably estimated for 1995 and future years.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
83
The other financial obligations deriving from rental, leasehold and leasing agreements amount
to an average of approximately DM 1,102 million; the average contractual period is 6 years.
Other financial obligations toward non-consolidated subsidiaries represent annual payments
due of approximately DM 751 million over an average contractual period of 4 years.
In connection with the fiduciary settlement by Daimler-Benz Aerospace Airbus GmbH of the
federally guaranteed serial credits, the effective amount cannot be determined until the
beginning of 1995 when the German Federal Government's last tranche of DM 1 billion is due;
this also applies to the reorganization profit received in 1989.
Within the scope of the government-supported Airbus Development Program, Daimler-Benz
Aerospace Airbus GmbH has agreed to assume performance portions itself. DM 127 million
thereof relate to the time after the balance sheet date, to the extent that they are not already
reflected in the annual accounts.
All assets acquired by Daimler-Benz Aerospace Airbus GmbH with subsidy funds have been
transferred to the Federal Republic of Germany as security.
With reference to the development work for the Airbus program, Airbus Industrie G.I.E. has
given a performance guarantee to Agence Executive (the government office in charge of
Airbus); this guarantee was taken over by Daimler-Benz Aerospace Airbus GmbH - to the extent
of its share interest - without restriction. Daimler-Benz Aerospace Airbus GmbH considers the
obligation fully covered by the relevant agreements for the financing and execution of the
development work.
Beginning in 2002, the profit sharing agreement provides that the German Federal Government
will share 40% in the profits of Daimler-Benz Aerospace Airbus GmbH. This requirement, in its
economic effect, stipulates the sequence of the government's repayment demands.
The remaining financial obligations, particularly purchase order commitments for capital
investments, are within the scope of normal business activities.
The obligation arising from stock and capital subscriptions pursuant to Section 24 of the
GmbHG (Limited Liability Company Act) amounts to DM 79 million.
Within the scope of sales financing, Daimler-Benz Aerospace has submitted to industry-
standard liabilities.
The company is jointly and severally liable for certain non-incorporated companies,
partnerships and joint ventures. In addition, there exist performance and miscellaneous
guarantees in connection with normal business transactions.
In order to finance the construction project on Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, the company has
signed leases with several special companies committing to pay future leasing rates. These
leasing rates, which are computed on the basis of the estimated production costs for the entire
complex of DM 3.3 billion and are expected to take full effect at the end of 1998, cannot be
valued at the present time.
Under the presumption that the proposed dividend is ratified by the shareholders at the
Annual Meeting on May 24, 1995, the remuneration paid by the group companies to the
members of the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board of Daimler-Benz AG
amounts to DM 16,759,041 million and DM 1,736,035 million, respectively. Disbursements
to former members of the Board of Management of Daimler-Benz AG and their survivors
amount to DM 12,271,514 million. An amount of DM 90,943,099 million has been accrued in
the financial statements of Daimler-Benz AG and Mercedes-Benz AG for pension obligations to
former members of the Board of Management and their survivors. As of December 31, 1994,
advances and loans to members of the Board of Management of Daimler-Benz AG amounted
to DM 58,017. Home mortgages included herein are not subject to interest; other loans and
advances bear interest averaging 5.5%. During 1994, DM 111,846 of outstanding loans was
repaid. The terms for home mortgages are ten years and less than one year for loans and
advance payments.
Executive Bodies
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Auditor's Report
We rendered an unqualified opinion on the consolidated financial statements and the
business review report in accordance with § 322 HGB (German Commercial Code).
The translation of our opinion reads as follows:
"The consolidated financial statements, which we have audited in accordance with
professional standards, comply with the legal provisions. With due regard to the
generally accepted accounting principles, the consolidated financial statements give a
true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and results of operations
of the Daimler-Benz group. The business review report, which summarizes the state of
affairs of Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft and that of the group, is consistent with the
financial statements of Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft and the consolidated financial
statements."
Frankfurt/Main, March 22, 1995
KPMG Deutsche Treuhand-Gesellschaft
Aktiengesellschaft
Wirtschaftsprufungsgesellschaft
Zielke
Wirtschaftsprufer
"Certified Public Accountant"
Dr. Koschinsky
Wirtschaftsprufer
"Certified Public Accountant"
Auditor's Report
85
Supervisory Board
HILMAR KOPPER
Frankfurt/Main
Member of the Board of Management,
Deutsche Bank AG
Chairman
KARL FEUERSTEIN1'
Mannheim
Chairman of the Corporate Labor
Council, Daimler-Benz Group
Chairman of the Joint Labor Council,
Mercedes-Benz AG
Deputy Chairman
PROF. DR. RER. NAT. GERD BINNIG
Ruschlikon
Project Manager IBM Research Division
WILLI BOHM1'
Worth
Member of the Labor Council,
Worth Plant, Mercedes-Benz AG
DR. H.C. BIRGIT BREUEL
Berlin
President of the Treuhandanstalt
(Government Agency for Privatization,
until 12/31/94)
General Commissioner of EXPO 2000
PROF. HUBERT CURIEN
Paris
Former Minister for Research and
Technology of the Republic of France
DR. JUR. MICHAEL ENDRES
Frankfurt/Main
Member of the Board of Management,
Deutsche Bank AG
1) Elected by the employees.
2) Judicially appointed as employee
representative.
WOLFGANG GABELE1)
Bremen
Deputy Chairman of the Corporate
Labor Council, Daimler-Benz Group
Chairman of the Corporate Labor
Council and the Joint Labor Council,
AEG
MANFRED GOBELS1)
Stuttgart
Senior Manager, Mercedes-Benz AG
Chairman of the Senior Managers'
Committee, Daimler-Benz Group
Chairman of the Senior Joint Managers'
Committee, Mercedes-Benz AG
ERICH KLEMM1)
Sindelfingen
Chairman of the Labor Council,
Sindelfingen Plant, Mercedes-Benz AG
DR. RER. POL. MANFRED SCHNEIDER
Leverkusen
Chairman of the Board of Management,
Bayer AG
PETER SCHONFELDER1)
Augsburg
Member of the Labor Council,
Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG
PROF. DR. JUR. JOHANNES SEMLER
Kronberg/Taunus
Lawyer
BERNHARD WURL1)
Frankfurt/Main
Departmental Manager within the Board
of Management,
Metal-Workers' Union
Committees of the
Supervisory Board:
Committee pursuant to
§27 Sec. 3 MitbestG
HILMAR KOPPER (CHAIRMAN)
KARL FEUERSTEIN
PROF. DR. JUR. JOHANNES SEMLER
BERNHARD WURL
Executive Committee
HILMAR KOPPER (CHAIRMAN)
KARL FEUERSTEIN
PROF. DR. JUR. JOHANNES SEMLER
BERNHARD WURL
Audit Committee
HILMAR KOPPER (CHAIRMAN)
KARL FEUERSTEIN
WILLI BOHM
DR. BIRGIT BREUEL
MARTIN KOHLHAUSSEN
Frankfurt/Main
Chairman of the Board
of Management,
Commerzbank AG
RUDOLF KUDA1'
Frankfurt/Main
Departmental Manager within the Board
of Management,
Metal-Workers' Union
HELMUT LENSE1)
Stuttgart
Chairman of the Labor Council,
Untertürkheim Plant,
Mercedes-Benz AG
WALTER RIESTER2)
Frankfurt/Main
Vice-Chairman, Metal-Workers' Union
JÜRGEN SARRAZIN
Frankfurt/Main
Chairman of the Board
of Management,
Dresdner Bank AG
DR. JUR. ROLAND SCHELLING
Stuttgart
Attorney at Law
Supervisory Board
Report of the Supervisory Board
At its meeting on June 29, 1994,
the Supervisory Board designated Mr.
Schrempp to succeed Mr. Reuter as
Chairman of the Board of Management
effective from the date of the Annual
General Meeting on May 24, 1995.
Thus, the future leadership of the
group was clarified at an early date.
At the meeting on November 2,
1994, we then made further decisions
regarding appointments to the Board of
Management after the Annual General
Meeting on May 24, 1995. Dr. Hirsch-
brunn, Personnel, and Dr. Liener,
Finance and Materials, will leave the
Board of Management at this time. Dr.
Gentz will assume the management of
both departments at the same time.
Dr. Mangold was appointed to the board
effective April 1, 1995. He will succeed
Dr. Gentz as President and Chief
Executive Officer of Daimler-Benz
InterServices (debis) effective May 25,
1995. In the corporate unit Daimler-
Benz Aerospace, Dr. Bischoff has
been appointed as the successor of
Mr. Schrempp effective May 25, 1995.
Selected areas of focus were the
measures for globalization and localiz
ation and for strengthening our interna
tional competitiveness. Highlights were
the restructuring at AEG Daimler-Benz
Industry, the selling off of the household
appliance and cable harness activities
as well as meters and lighting systems,
the joint ventures with CEGELEC and
Magna, and the acquisition of ECA in the
Postal Automation Division. Highlights
for Mercedes-Benz were the takeover
of Kassbohrer and the decision for the
Micro Compact Car. For Daimler-Benz
Aerospace, we thoroughly discussed the
development at Fokker as well as the
pan-European cooperative ventures.
Other important topics commanding the
Supervisory Board's attention were the
1994 capital increase, refinancing and
sales financing (e.g. aircraft leasing)
and the Potsdamer Platz project in
the corporate unit debis.
The developments listed testify to
the fact that the Board of Management
has defined the challenges arising from
the markets and implemented approp
riate measures to maintain the inter
national competitiveness of the
corporation.
The Supervisory Board is satisfied
that the accounting, the annual financial
statement of December 31, 1994, and
the consolidated business review for
Daimler-Benz AG and the group were
audited by KPMG Deutsche Treuhand-
Gesellschaft AG auditing company in
Frankfurt/Main and affixed with the
unqualified audit certificate. In our own
thorough examination, we found no
grounds for complaint, and we agree
with the findings of KPMG. With the
approval of the Supervisory Board, the
annual financial statement is hereby
ratified. We concur with the proposal of
the Board of Management regarding the
allocation of unappropriated profit.
In 1994, the Supervisory Board held
four regular meetings. Independent of
these, the Executive Committee, which
is also responsible for the contractual
affairs of the Board of Management,
met three times. The Balance Sheet
Committee dealt thoroughly with the
mid-year report, as well as the financial
statements for the entire year. There
was no need to convene the conference
committee formed pursuant to the Law
on Codetermination.
In addition to providing periodical
reports on the course of business, the
Board of Management reported in detail
on the position of the corporation and
basic business policy. We were also
informed in detail about the develop
ment of the corporation through
numerous other reports on the general
situation and on special topics, which
we discussed thoroughly with the Board
of Management.
Among the topics addressed were
the details of the medium-term business
plan, including the investment, employ
ment and profit plans, and the develop
ment of the group structure and signifi
cant individual business transactions.
90
Report of the Supervisory Board
Executive Management and Daimler-Benz Group
Representation and Liaison Offices
Executive Management
DR. JUR. BOY-JÜRGEN ANDRESEN
Personnel Policy
HANSJÖRG BAUMGART
Daimler-Benz Art Possessions
MARTIN BERGER
Annual Accounts and
Accounts Planning
DR. RER. POL. ECKHARD CORDES1)
Corporate Planning and Controlling
MATTHIAS KLEINERT1)
Public Affairs and
Political-Economic Policy
DR.-ING. MICHAEL KRAMER
Research 1
DR. RER. NAT. VOLKER LEHMANN
Research 2
WERNER POLLMANN
Technik,
Technology, Environmental Officer
Daimler-Benz
PROF. DR. RER. NAT.
ROLF SCHARWÄCHTER1) 2)
Directorate for Group Business in
Emerging Markets
JÖRG SEIZER
Subsidiaries and Affiliated Companies
HUBERTUS BUDERATH
Corporate Auditing
DR. OEC. PUBL. PAUL WICK1)
Finance and Taxes
DR. JUR. SOLMS WITTIG1)
Staff Lawyer
GERD WORIESCHECK
Personnel Development
for Senior Group Executives
1) With general power of procurement.
2) Also deputy member of the Mercedes-Benz
Board of Management without an own
department.
Daimler-Benz Group
Representation Offices
Daimler-Benz Group
Liaison Offices
Berlin
PETER HANS KEILBACH
Englerallee 40
14195 Berlin
Bonn
ALFONS PAWELCZYK
Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 26
53113 Bonn
Brussels
DR. HANNS GLATZ
133, rue Froissart - Bte. 29
1040 Brussels
Belgium
Jerusalem/Tel Aviv
BENJAMIN NAVON
Ramban Street 11
Jerusalem
Israel
Moskow
DR. ANDREAS MEYER-LANDRUT
Kolobowski Per. 23
103009 Moskow
Russia
Beijing
NORBERT GRAEBER M. A.
1601, Landmark Building
8 North Dong San Huan Road
Chaoyang District
Beijing 100004
PR China
Tokyo
WOLFGANG DIETRICH
Roppongi First Bldg.
9-9, Roppongi 1-chome
Minato-ku, Tokyo 106
Japan
Washington D.C.
ALBERT D. BOURLAND
1350 I Street, N. W. Suite 800
Washington D.C. 20005-3305
U.S.A.
Egypt
RUDI STOECKER
P. 0. Box 2 70
48, Giza Street
Cairo
Australia
BERT SCHLICKUM
12-16 Dunlop Road
Mulgrave, Vic. 3170
Brazil
DR. JOACHIM ZAHN
Av. Maria Caelho Aguiar,
215-BI. E-1. andar
05805-000 - Sao Paulo (SP)
France
DR. PETER KOSTKA
Pare de Rocquencourt
B.P. 100
78153 Le Chesnay Cedex
Great Britain
DR. REINER ELLENRIEDER
25 St. James's Street
London SW1A 1 HA
Hong Kong
KARL-HEINZ MICHEL
59th Floor, Central Plaza
18 Harbour Road, Wanchai
Hong Kong
Italy
DR. JOCHEN PRANGE
Via Campo nell'Elba 12/30
00138 Rome
Singapore
DR. KLAUS OBERLANDER
AEG Building; #02-07/08
25 Tampinex Street 92
Singapore 1852
Spain
CARLOS ESPINOSA DE LOS MONTEROS
Jose Ortega y Gaset 22-24
28006 Madrid
South Africa
CHRISTOPH KOEPKE
P. O. Box 1717
Pretoria 0001
Executive Management and Daimler-Benz Group Representation and Liaison Offices
Notes to the Reconciliation of Consolidated Net Income
and Stockholders' Equity to U.S. GAAP
Appropriated Retained Earnings:
Provisions, Reserves and
Valuation Differences
U.S. accounting principles by far do
not allow provisions and reserves to the
same extent as the German Commercial
Code. Non-recognized provisions and
reserves have to be eliminated, which
has an effect on net income as well
as stockholders' equity. According to
U.S. GAAP, the stockholders' equity
increased by DM 6,205 million as of
December 31, 1994, also affecting pro
visions, net inventories and receivables.
We use the term "appropriated retained
earnings" to disclose to the American
investors that such retained earnings
are not available for distribution as
dividends. This term also establishes
a bridge between the two different
accounting cultures.
Long-Term Contracts
Customer revenues and cost of sales
are recorded under German law in ac
cordance with the completed contract
method, whereas U.S. principles gene
rally require that the percentage of
completion method be used. The
majority of contracts within the group
require partial prepayment as well as
partial recognition of profits based upon
payments received. Contracts of this
nature are also customary in the U.S.A.,
and are recognized under its accounting
regulations. The resulting differences
are therefore not material.
Goodwill and Business Acquisitions
Under German accounting regu
lations, goodwill can be offset against
stockholders' equity, or capitalized and
amortized generally over the expected
useful life, which in Germany ranges
between 5 and 15 years. Under U.S.
GAAP, goodwill must be capitalized and
amortized over a period not exceeding
40 years. The expenses of 1994 are
principally based on one event at Fokker
that must be reversed under U.S. GAAP.
The sale of technology resulted in a
profit of DM 366 million, which accord
ing to U.S. GAAP had to be offset
against the company's goodwill.
Securities
Under German accounting princip
les, securities are valued at the lower of
cost or market. In contrast, U.S. GAAP
requires that securities be marked to
higher market value. The changes in the
market value are recorded either directly
in the statements of income or in the
stockholders' equity.
Other Valuation Differences
Additional differences between
German and American accounting
methods may occur with respect to
inventories, minority interests and
leasing activities.
Deferred Taxes
In the German consolidated financial
statements, deferred tax assets result
primarily from elimination entries affect
ing net income. According to U.S. GAAP,
future advantages from (temporary) dif
ferences between tax and book values
and from tax losses carried forward are
also taken into consideration.
Deconsolidation
Under German accounting princip
les, a company can be deconsolidated
once the majority of the shares have
been sold. According to U.S. GAAP,
however, a leasing company of which a
majority interest has been sold to non-
group entities must remain consolidated
until the economic risks and rewards
have been fully transferred.
Pensions and Other
Postretirement Benefits
According to U.S. accounting prin
ciples, the determination of provisions
for pensions is based, among other
things, on anticipated increases in
wages and salaries. The calculation is
not based on a discount rate of 6%,
which is applicable under German Tax
Law, but instead, on the interest rate of
the countries involved. Another differ
ence relates to the requirement that
health care costs for retirees be
actuarily calculated and accrued
for in the U.S.A.
Foreign Currency Translation and
Financial Instruments
Unrealized profits and losses
related to the valuation of amounts
denominated in foreign currencies and
to financial instruments are treated
differently in the two accounting
systems. Under German law, according
to the imparity principle, only unrealized
losses are to be recorded, whereas
under U.S. GAAP, as well unrealized
profits must be recognized.
96
Notes to the Reconciliation of Consolidated Net
Income and Stockholders' Equity to U.S. GAAP
Balance Sheet Press Conference:
April 12, 1995
10.00 a.m.
Haus der Wirtschaft
Stuttgart
Annual General Meeting:
May 24, 1995
10.00 a.m.
Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle
Stuttgart
Daimler-Benz reports on the first quarter
of 1995 during the Balance Sheet Press
Conference on April 12, 1995, on the
first six months with an audited semi
annual report on September 11, 1995,
and during early November on the first
nine months of 1995.
Daimler-Benz AG
IR
70546 Stuttgart
Telephone: 49-711-1 79 22 87
Telefax: 49-711-1 79 41 09
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