Daimler Truck reports significant jump in profits due to US business

At commercial vehicle manufacturer Daimler Truck, profits rose by 73 percent in the third quarter of this year. Compared to the same quarter last year, the consolidated result climbed from 407 million to 702 million euros. This was announced by the DAX group from Leinfelden-Echterdingen near Stuttgart. The group attributed the positive development to the recovering market situation.

The results in the third quarter showed that the business continued to gain momentum, said Daimler Truck boss Karin Rådström. “It is particularly important that we have improved our profitability while remaining fully focused on our customers worldwide,” says Rådström.

Strong growth in the USA

Sales rose by 19 percent from 10.55 billion to around 12.58 billion euros. Operating profit - i.e. earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) - increased by 89 percent from 553 million euros to just over one billion euros. In the third quarter, Daimler Truck sold significantly more vehicles than in the very weak same period last year. Sales rose by 26 percent to 91,260 vehicles.

In North America, sales increased significantly, increasing by more than half. Sales there collapsed last year due to US President Donald Trump's tariffs. Things haven't been going well for the commercial vehicle manufacturer recently: in 2025, profits fell by 34 percent compared to the previous year to two billion euros.

Forecast remains unchanged

In the first six months of this year, consolidated earnings fell by a whopping 72 percent. After nine months, the bottom line is that there is still a loss of 30 percent in the books. In order to become more competitive, Daimler Truck launched the “Cost Down Europe” savings program last year.

By 2030, running costs on the home continent should fall by more than one billion euros. As a result, around 5,000 jobs will be lost in Germany. The Mercedes-Benz truck brand is particularly affected. But savings should also be made in North America. The group confirmed its forecast for the full year 2026 and continues to expect an adjusted return on sales in the industrial business of seven to nine percent.

Shares are falling

Despite a strong increase in profits, Daimler Truck fell under the radar on the stock market. The shares fell by 8.3 percent to 38.42 euros, marking their lowest level since the beginning of the year. They were the weakest stock in the DAX. Barely an hour after the start of trading, the truck manufacturer's shares were still trading almost four percent weaker.

According to one trader, a strong balance sheet was already expected, the Reuters news agency reported. This may not be enough for investors, he explained.