DaimlerChrysler Buses sold some 36,200 Mercedes-Benz, Setra and Orion vehicles in 2006, thereby recording the same extra-ordinarily high level of sales achieved in the prior year (36,200). While sales of chassis increased from 24,000 units in 2005 to approximately 24,300 units last year, business in complete buses declined slightly, with sales totaling 11,900 units (2005: 12,200). Overall, however, DaimlerChrysler Buses was once again able to confirm its position as the world market leader in 2006.

Harald Landmann, Vice President DaimlerChrysler Buses, said: "After outperforming the market for many years in terms of sales increases, in 2006 we succeeded in matching the high level of sales from the prior year, despite more intense competition in the overland bus and travel coach segment." Landmann continued: "Our goal is to remain the number one company in the bus sector in the future, and to this end we are working to continually optimize our products and processes, always with an eye on the needs of our customers. We are also aiming to grow in order to consolidate our market position."

Continuation of the product offensive launched in 2005 had a positive impact on sales last year. Among other things, the DaimlerChrysler Buses used the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show 2006 in Hanover as the venue for the world premieres of the "short" Mercedes-Benz Citaro K (length: 10.5 meters), the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo high-deck travel coach and the new MultiClass 400 low-floor intercity bus. In addition, the intercity version of the Mercedes-Benz Citaro Low Entry was named "Bus of the Year 2007," which is the highest honor a bus can receive in Europe. Meanwhile, in the Latin American markets DaimlerChrysler Buses presented the 18-meter O 500 chassis – a trend-setting articulated chassis with high passenger capacity.

The Buses unit is a leader not only in sales but also in pioneering technology. For example, its first buses equipped with environmentally friendly Blue-Tec technology met with a very positive response from the market, especially as these vehicles meet the Euro 5 emission requirements that have yet to go into effect. Hybrid buses made by Orion continue to be successful in North America: In 2006, again 420 units of the city bus Orion VII Hybrid were ordered by the public transport authorities of New York, Toronto, San Francisco and Edmonton. Thus DaimlerChrysler Buses in 2006 again remained the largest producer in the global hybrid bus market – overall 1,500 orders since the market launch in 2003.

Another example of DaimlerChrysler Buses' technological leadership is the Travego, which was presented to media representatives and politicians in the summer of 2006 as the "Mercedes-Benz Safety Coach". The bus is equipped with all of the currently available vehicle assistance and safety systems as standard equipment.

DaimlerChrysler Buses expects little momentum to be gained in its core markets this year. In Germany, funding for local public transport systems will be further reduced this year, and DaimlerChrysler Buses also expects global competition to become even tougher.