OREANDA-NEWS. Daimler Buses sold 7,900 buses and bus chassis worldwide in the second quarter of 2013 (Q2 2012: 8,400). Revenue amounted to EUR 0.9 billion (Q2 2012: EUR 1.0 billion). The division posted second-quarter EBIT of plus EUR 27 million, which is a significant improvement over the prior-year quarter (Q2 2012: minus EUR 59 million). Return on sales improved to plus 2.9% (Q2 2012: minus 5.8%).

The development of earnings was driven by unit-sales growth in the European business as well as significant efficiency advances. Compared with the second quarter of last year, expenses for the repositioning of the European and American business systems decreased to EUR 20 million (Q2 2012: EUR 46 million).

Daimler Financial Services concluded around 298,000 new leasing and financing contracts with a total value of EUR 10.3 billion in the second quarter, achieving growth of 10% compared with the prior-year period. Contract volume reached EUR 81.4 billion at the end of June, which is 2% higher than at the end of 2012. Adjusted for exchange-rate effects, the increase was 4%. The division’s EBIT of EUR 319 million in the second quarter was lower than in the prior-year period (Q2 2012: EUR 338 million).

The earnings development primarily reflects lower interest margins. The increased contract volume and lower credit-risk costs had positive effects on EBIT.