Daimler Truck reported robust performance in 2023, with a 1% increase in worldwide sales of trucks and buses compared to the previous year. The company sold a total of 526,053 units, up from 520,291 units in 2022. The strong sales were buoyed by a significant surge in zero-emission (ZE) vehicles, with Daimler Truck selling 3,443 ZE trucks and buses, marking a remarkable 277% increase from the 914 units sold in the previous year.
The group’s revenue also soared to new heights, reaching €55.9 billion in 2023, a 10% increase from €50.9 billion in the previous year. This impressive growth was driven by strong sales performance across all segments, particularly in buses, where the group saw a 9% increase in vehicles sold and a remarkable 24% increase in revenue compared to 2022.
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The company also achieved significant milestones in terms of earnings and return on sales (ROS) in 2023. Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) surged by 39% to a record level of €5,489 million, up from €3,959 million in 2022. The adjusted ROS for the Industrial Business reached 9.9% for the full year 2023, compared to 7.7% in 2022, with a peak of 10.6% in Q4.
Daimler Truck’s expansion in the ZE vehicle segment was a key highlight of 2023, with the company introducing ten different zero-emission models globally. In North America, the new fully-electric Freightliner eM2 was launched for urban delivery applications, while in Europe, the battery-electric long-haul truck Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 made its debut.
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The company’s Asian affiliate, FUSO, also made significant strides in the ZE segment, delivering its first units of the FUSO Next Generation eCanter to prestigious customers like Japanese retail giant Yamato. Additionally, FUSO launched the battery-electric medium-duty RIZON trucks in the U.S.
Looking ahead, Daimler Truck expects market normalization in 2024, particularly in Europe and the U.S., with challenging market conditions in Asia, at least for the first half of the year. Despite these challenges, the company remains optimistic about its future prospects, aiming to unlock its full potential and deliver strong profitability in all markets.
