German bus manufacturer Daimler Buses wants to mass produce the electric version of the Citaro from the end of 2018, after having increased sales and maintained operating profit in 2017. The Daimler Buses bus division reported today that it had an operating profit of $299 million in 2017, 2.4% less than in 2016. Total sales increased by 9.3% last year (28,676 units).
There was an increase in Brazil of 45.8% (7,201 units) and 29.5% (12,740 units) in all of Latin America without considering Mexico, where they were reduced by 9% (3,440 units). Sales in the European Union (EU), Switzerland and Norway drop by 1.7% (8,687 units). Daimler sold 2,348 units in Asia last year, 33.5% more than in 2016.
The company, which will produce the Mercedes-Benz Citaro electric bus in Mannheim (southwest of Germany) plans to invest $246 million until 2020 in charging stations, automatic driving and electric propulsion.
Source: electrichunter