Market presences
DaimlerChrysler has a worldwide network of production plants, sales outlets and research and development centers. Taken together, all three types of unit form the foundation of the Group’s business success. Within this network, the focus is on Europe and North America, but the Asian region is becoming increasingly important.
Production plants and sales outlets. DaimlerChrysler manufactures at 100 production plants all over the world. The Group also has a world-wide network of sales outlets that sell its vehicles and offer financial services that support vehicle sales through customized leasing and financing programs. Figure 8
Information about selected production units with more than 1,000 employees can be found at www 11.
Research and development centers. DaimlerChrysler is represented by numerous research and development centers in many countries. A total of 25,200 DaimlerChrysler employees are working in the areas of research and development on products oriented toward customer needs and sustainability. In 2006, DaimlerChrysler’s total investment in research and development amounted to € 5.3 billion; expenditure on fixed assets ran to € 5.9 billion.
Market presence has a bearing on all three dimensions of sustainability. No matter at which locations DaimlerChrysler engages in research and development, or produces and sells its products, all of its operations are oriented toward sustainability. To give just a few examples:
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Employee remuneration: The wages and salaries at the Group’s business locations are always aligned with local standards, and the remuneration of employees’ work is basically performance-oriented.
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Cooperation with suppliers is conducted according to globally valid performance-oriented criteria. In line with agreements and legal requirements in effect at the production locations throughout the world, local suppliers are incorporated in DaimlerChrysler’s value creation chain.
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The implementation of DaimlerChrysler’s global environmental standards p. 14, 26, which in many cases are more stringent than national requirements, is playing an exemplary role in numerous countries.
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Please note
The information in the "Sustainability" section mainly refers to the 2006 reporting year. It thus may not always reflect the com- pany's current situation.
