Earnings Watch: Daimler’s Adjusted Earnings Beat Forecasts
The second quarter earnings season got underway on Monday with Daimler AG unexpectedly releasing numbers showing its adjusted earnings in the second quarter of the year are “significantly above market expectations” – but the news did not carry over into its truck operations.

The second quarter earnings season got underway on Monday, with Daimler AG (OTC: DDAIF) unexpectedly releasing numbers showing its adjusted earnings in the second quarter of the year are “significantly above market expectations” – but the news did not carry over into its truck operations.
The parent of brands such as Freightliner, Western Star and Detroit Diesel reported adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of 3.97 billion euros ($4.39 billion), an increase of 5.6% from a year earlier. The performance is also 17% better than its earlier forecast, according to Reuters.
According to Bloomberg News, the German company benefited from gains in vans and buses while earnings dropped for its trucks and Mercedes cars divisions. The results also exclude almost 500 million euros in Takata Corp. air-bag recalls as well as 400 million euros for legal costs that Daimler didn’t explain.
Daimler Trucks was also pulled down by the cost of 34 million euros in workforce adjustments and another 6 million euros due to restructuring of its dealer network, but still reported a profit of 661 million euros compared to 717 euros in the second quarter of 2015.
For all of 2016 Daimler says its outlook for adjusted EBIT for special reporting items remains unchanged. Its trucks division is expected to be significantly below the prior year level, but overall the company expects to see it “slightly increase in 2016 as expected earlier.” All other divisions (Mercedes-Benz cars, Mercedes-Benz vans, Daimler buses and Daimler Financial Services) are expected to be either slightly better or significantly better than the prior year levels.
The Wall Street Journal reported the release of the results was likely due to the company beating expectations.
Daimler is scheduled to report its full second quarter earnings on July 21.
The release of the numbers also came as the second quarter earnings season unofficially opened on Monday, with aluminum powerhouse Alcoa Inc. ((NYSE:AA) being the first to report its performance, as usual.
It reported second quarter 2016 net income of $135 million, or 9 cents per share, including $78 million in special items, compared to net income of $140 million, 10 cents per share a year earlier. Revenue declined 10% to $5.3 billion.
The company said in a news release, “Growth in the heavy duty truck, trailer and bus market in Europe and China is expected to be offset by continued production declines in North America, setting the global production outlook for the commercial transportation market at negative 4 to negative 1 percent for the year.”
Later this year, the company is set to spin off its traditional smelting operations under the Alcoa name, while its value-added business focused predominantly on the aerospace and automotive industries will operate under the name Arconic, according to Reuters.
More Fleet Management

Color Match Smarter: Tools That Restore & Perform
For fleet managers and collision repair professionals keeping heavy-duty trucks on the road, getting the color right the first time isn't just about appearance — it's about efficiency, turnaround time, and bottom-line results. Discover how today's digital color tools are transforming the repair process from guesswork to precision.
Read More →
FMCSA Pauses Biennial-Update Enforcement Amid Motus Transition
Carriers whose updates were due on or after June 1 have more time, while FMCSA works to stabilize its new registration system and warns of phishing sites impersonating its new carrier registration system, Motus.
Read More →
2026 Blueprint for Countering Smarter Supply Chain Theft
Cargo theft is no longer just the cost of doing business. It's a multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprise exploiting vulnerabilities across your fleet, drivers, and supply chain.
Read More →
How Telematics Improves Visibility, Control, and Performance in Refrigerated Fleets
Explore how telematics help refrigerated fleets improve visibility, uptime, efficiency, compliance, and cargo protection across connected cold chain operations.
Read More →
What the U.S.-Canada Trade War Means for Trucking
Escalating U.S.-Canada tariffs could disrupt cross-border freight, reduce truck volumes, raise costs, and create new uncertainty for carriers on both sides of the border.
Read More →
What Are Trucking’s Top Concerns for 2026?
The American Transportation Research Institute wants to know what's worrying trucking fleet managers, drivers, and other stakeholders in its annual Industry Issues survey.
Read More →
American Trucking Associations Looks for a New Leader
ATA President and CEO Chris Spear abruptly left his job at the association on August 21, at a pivotal time for the trucking industry.
Read More →
Public Wi-Fi Cybersecurity Risks: How Truck Drivers and Fleets Can Protect Their Data
Public Wi-Fi can expose truck drivers and fleets to credential theft, malware, and other cyber threats. Here’s how to reduce the risk on the road.
Read More →
For Nicky Cupp, Fleet Innovation Starts With Frustration
HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Nicky Cupp turns everyday pain points at Fraley & Schilling into opportunities for better technology and smarter processes.
Read More →
Adam Buttgenbach’s Approach to Electric Trucks: Start With Where They Fit
HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Adam Buttgenbach helped PepsiCo build one of North America’s largest EV fleets by focusing on where electric trucks make operational sense.
Read More →


