DaimlerChrysler’s Trucks Europe/Latin America (Mercedes-Benz) business unit recorded a 24% increase in sales in 2004, to 137,400 vehicles (2003: 110,500). A key factor in this success was once again the second generation of the Actros heavy-duty truck series, which posted a record sales result in only its second year on the market. Sales of Mercedes-Benz trucks in the core markets of Western Europe and Latin America were up 11% and 31%, respectively, and revenues at the unit totaled €11.5 billion.

Klaus Maier, head of Trucks Europe/Latin America (Mercedes-Benz), had the following to say about the positive results: “The current sales figures underscore the great success of Mercedes-Benz trucks. We sold more than 54,000 units of our flagship truck Actros last year alone, with the vehicle being named Truck of the Year 2004. We are also continuing to receive large numbers of orders for our new Atego and Axor models. The dynamic growth will help to keep us on the road to success in 2005 as well.”

Maier also talked about the TruckPlus program for ensuring future success, which began displaying initial results in 2004: “Along with the improvement of our cost position and business processes, our medium-term program is focusing primarily on the growth opportunities created by our entry into new markets and the expansion of our existing activities in individual market segments.”

The overall market in Western Europe expanded last year, with market volume for medium and heavy-duty trucks over six tons GVW totaling more than 302,000 units (up by 8.6% from 2003). Sales of Mercedes-Benz trucks in this market outpaced overall growth, increasing by 11% to 66,000 units, thereby boosting the unit’s market share in the region by 0.6% to 21.7%. A total of 31,000 Mercedes-Benz trucks were sold in Latin America last year, or 31% more than in 2003. The unit also sold 8,700 trucks in Turkey, double the amount of the prior year. Mer-cedes-Benz thus consolidated its leading market position for trucks over six tons GVW in Western Europe and Turkey, and maintained a strong market position through its growth in Latin America. In addition, Eastern Europe (8,200 units) and Asia (17,600) have become increas-ingly important export markets for Mercedes-Benz trucks produced in Western Europe in recent years and have established themselves as key earnings generators.

In 2004, production at all Mercedes-Benz truck plants (Wörth, Ger-many; Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil; and Aksaray, Turkey) once again surpassed the levels achieved in the prior year. Approximately 100,700 units of the Actros, Axor, Atego and Econic series, as well as Unimogs, were produced at the Wörth plant in 2004 (2003: 82,500). The excellent order situation in Wörth also made it possible for some 700 new jobs to be created at the plant last year.

In order to align truck development and production even more closely in the future, DaimlerChrysler plans to build a new development and testing center at the Wörth plant. This facility will include various test tracks, as well as repair shops and office buildings.

Maier also reported that the business unit will be focusing on two key areas in 2005: new BlueTec diesel technology, and the second generation of Axor and Atego trucks, which were presented at the IAA Commercial Vehicles show in Hanover. BlueTec — the exhaust-emission limiting technology of the future — is expected to provide the unit with even more momentum this year. “BlueTec makes it possible for us to meet both the EURO 4 and EURO 5 emission standards,” said Maier, “and we've already delivered the first Actros trucks and semitrailers equipped with BlueTec technology to our customers. Over the next few months we'll also be gradually equipping more and more Actros and Axor long-distance trucks with BlueTec. BlueTec is the economical exhaust-emission technology for our customers.”

The second generation of the medium-duty Atego and heavy-duty Axor trucks presented last fall continues the successful tradition of the Actros. “The introduction of the new Atego and Axor marks the first time we've transferred a European vehicle concept to Latin America,” said Maier. The Wörth plant will share production of the two truck series for the global market with plants in Aksaray, Turkey, and Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, in the future.

This document contains forward-looking statements that reflect management’s current views with respect to future events. The words “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project” and “should” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: an economic downturn in Europe or North America; changes in currency exchange rates, interest rates, and raw materials prices; the introduction of new products by competitors; an increase in sales incentives; and a decline in resale prices for pre-owned vehicles. If any of these or other risks and uncertainties occur (some of which are described under the heading “Risk Report” in DaimlerChrysler’s most recent Annual Report and under the heading “Risk Factors” in DaimlerChrysler’s most recent Annual Report, on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission), or if the assumptions underlying any of these statements prove incorrect, then actual results may be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. We have no plans to regularly update such forward-looking statements nor do we assume any obligation to do so, as these are exclusively based on the circumstances prevailing on the day they were published.