Thanks to change in the USA – Daimler Truck increases profits by 73 percent

At truck and bus manufacturer Daimler Truck, profits rose by 73 percent to 702 million euros in the third quarter.

A year earlier it was 407 million euros, as the DAX group from Leinfelden-Echterdingen near Stuttgart announced on Friday.

Sales and operating results also rose sharply.

Sales rose by 19 percent to around 12.58 billion euros, earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) by 89 percent to just over one billion euros.

Analysts had expected an average turnover of 11.7 billion euros for the industrial business, which turned out to be 11.6 billion.

The adjusted return on sales climbed by three percentage points to 9.1 percent.

The group attributed the development to a recovery in the markets.

“Our third quarter results show that our business continues to gain momentum,” said CEO Karin Rådström, according to the statement.

“It is particularly important that we have improved our profitability while remaining fully focused on our customers worldwide.”

The increase was primarily driven by the truck business in North America.

The Trucks North America division sold 45,629 trucks there, a good half more than a year earlier.

At that time, US President Donald Trump's tariff increases caused sales to collapse.

Now freight forwarders are renewing their fleets after three years of reluctance to purchase.

The division's adjusted earnings climbed from 257 to 691 million euros.

In total, Daimler Truck sold 91,260 trucks and buses, 26 percent more than in the weak quarter of the previous year.

At Mercedes-Benz Trucks there were 40,362 trucks after 35,818.

They were particularly in demand in Germany; in India, investments in infrastructure and replacement purchases ensured demand.

In addition, more orders were received: 10 percent more across the group, 12 percent more in North America and 14 percent more at Mercedes-Benz Trucks.

The group confirmed its annual forecast.

In the industrial business, he continues to target an adjusted return on sales of seven to nine percent.

Daimler Truck has had weak months.

In 2025, profits fell by 34 percent to two billion euros, and in the first half of 2026 they fell by 72 percent.

After nine months the bottom line is still a minus of 30 percent.

In order to become more competitive, the group launched the “Cost Down Europe” savings program last year.

By 2030, running costs in Europe are expected to fall by more than one billion euros.

Around 5,000 jobs will be eliminated in Germany, especially at the Mercedes-Benz truck brand.

The group also wants to save in North America.