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BCN-20
GERMANY-AUTOMOBILE-EARNINGS-DAIMLER
Daimler books first quarterly loss in 10 years in Q2
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, July 24, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler
on Wednesday reported its first quarterly loss in almost 10 years, saying
cash it had to set aside over emissions cheating and vehicle recalls drove it
into the red.
The Stuttgart-based car maker said in a statement it lost 1.2 billion
euros ($1.3 billion) in April-June due to one-off effects totalling 4.2
billion euros.
The last time Daimler reported a quarterly loss was in the fourth quarter
of 2009.
“Our second-quarter results were mainly impacted by exceptional items,”
newly-installed chief executive Olla Kallenius said.
By contrast, revenues rose by five percent to a higher-than-expected 42.7
billion euros, despite a one percent fall in unit sales.
Daimler also tumbled into the red on the operating level, losing 1.5
billion euros — compared with underlying profit of 2.6 billion euros a year
ago.
Looking ahead, “our focus for the second half of this year is on improving
our operating performance and cash-flow generation,” Kallenius said.
After cutting its annual outlook twice in recent months, Daimler left the
forecast unchanged this time around, predicting operating profit
“significantly below” the 11.1 billion euros booked in 2018.
The auto giant pointed to weaker-than-expected growth on global car
markets, fallout from the diesel emissions cheating scandal and a mass recall
over faulty Takata airbags.
German transport authority KBA ordered the recall of 60,000 Mercedes-Benz
vehicles in June on suspicion they were fitted with software to cheat
emissions tests — allegations Daimler contests.
Diesel-related provisions alone are expected to reach around 1.6 billion
euros, and the airbag recall should cost around one billion euros.
The group is also looking to make massive investments in electric vehicles
and autonomous driving.
Nevertheless, both unit sales and revenue should climb “slightly above”
last year’s levels.
Earlier this week, Daimler announced that its Chinese partner BAIC would
become a shareholder with a five-percent stake.
BSS/AFP/HR/1310