Daimler Truck's North American sales jump 51% in the third quarter as profit rebounds

Daimler Truck Holding AG said its third-quarter profit rebounded as volumes and earnings rose sharply at Trucks North America, the segment that includes Freightliner and Western Star.

In an investor release dated Nov. 6, the company said Industrial Business revenue grew to 11.6 billion euros in the third quarter from 9.7 billion euros a year earlier. Adjusted group EBIT increased to 1,124 million euros from 648 million euros, and the adjusted return on sales of the Industrial Business was 9.1%, up from 6.2%.

Group unit sales rose 26% to 91,260 vehicles, from 72,277. Incoming orders were up 10% to 71,168, from 64,412. Free cash flow of the Industrial Business was 974 million euros, which the company said was supported by improved earnings and proceeds from the partial sale of its ARCHION stake.

Daimler Truck said it confirmed its full-year 2026 guidance and still expects an adjusted return on sales of the Industrial Business between 7% and 9%.

Trucks North America

Trucks North America posted the strongest swing. Unit sales rose 51% to 45,629 from 30,225 a year earlier. Incoming orders increased 12% to 29,357 from 26,168. Revenue rose 43% to 5,704 million euros from 3,996 million euros. Adjusted EBIT more than doubled to 691 million euros from 257 million euros, and adjusted return on sales reached 12.1%, up from 6.4%.

For the first nine months of 2026, the North American segment's unit sales were up 8% to 116,748, while adjusted EBIT was 1,335 million euros, down 21% from 1,691 million euros in the same period of 2025. Adjusted return on sales for the first nine months was 9.1%, compared with 11.7% a year earlier.

Other segments

Mercedes-Benz Trucks increased third-quarter unit sales 13% to 40,362 and revenue 10% to 5,363 million euros. Adjusted EBIT rose 6% to 337 million euros, with an adjusted return on sales of 6.3%, compared with 6.5% a year earlier.

Daimler Buses saw lower volumes: unit sales fell 16% to 5,394 and revenue eased 4% to 1,343 million euros. Adjusted EBIT was 123 million euros, down 10%, and adjusted return on sales was 9.2%, compared with 9.8%.

Financial Services reported new business of 2,924 million euros, up 20%, and adjusted EBIT of 62 million euros, up 29%.

President and CEO Karin Rådström said: "Our third-quarter performance demonstrates that we are continuing to build momentum across the business. Most importantly, we achieved stronger profitability while remaining firmly focused on serving our customers around the globe."

CFO Eva Scherer said: "We delivered strong cash generation in the third quarter, demonstrating our discipline in converting performance into cash. We are determined to maintain that discipline and finish the year on a strong note."

The company presented the results on Nov. 6. Figures in the release are reported in euros.