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DaimlerChrysler: Klaus Maier hich truck manufacturer is the world's number
Page 65
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one looking at over its shoulder? According to Dr Klaus Maier, who heads up DaimlerChrysler's truck operations in Western Europe and Latin America: "On a global perspective it's clearly Volvo. because they're the only true 'global' company beside DaimlerChrysler. However, in terms of how to run trucks and how to cope with customer care it's Scania. But the one I'm afraid of, and I think a lot of my competitors are too, is Dar Good run Paccar's Dutch sibling is enjoying a good run in Europe, where it's climbed to third place in the German tractor market behind 'homeboys' Mercedes and MAN.
"Daf slowly but systematically conquers the heavy truck market with good products," Maier admits. "And that's amazing, how they run their business. It's so different."
The new Actros has helped Mercedes fight back and sales are booming, Maier reports. He'd like to sell more but he can't because the component suppliers are struggling to keep up with production at Mercedes' main Worth truck plant, despite running double and in some cases triple shifts.
"I've already sold 86,000 new Actroses since the beginning of last year and we have a daily production rate of 250 Actros but that's the absolute maximum I can get out of my plant," he adds. "Increasing capacity isn't the issue. Parts, tyres and steel are all at extremely high prices so we are limited by our supplier capacities at the moment."
Maier reckons DaimlerChrysler is "very profitable this year" adding "we were profitable all of last year but this year it's because of increasing volumes and market growth." Economies of scale are also delivering significantly increased margins: "This year we're earning the maximum we've ever earned in this industry since I can remember for Mercedes-Benz trucks because we can really transform volume into profit."
Meanwhile, don't be surprised if DaimlerChrysler boosts its stake in Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus from the current 67%. Maier makes no bones about his long-term plan:"I think it would be natural over time to have it at 100%." He also predicts a shared lightweight range: That's on my radar screen for the future.
is year we re earning t e maximum we ve since I can rememper or