Award-winning innovations. In 2011 Daimler was the winner
in two categories of the ÖkoGlobe environmental award. The Bus
Rapid Transit (BRT) local transportation system placed first in
the category “New Mobility Concepts,” and the Mercedes-Benz
Atego BlueTec Hybrid placed third in the category “Series-produced
Vehicle with a Sustainability Factor.”
Constructive dialogue. In 2011 we held our second Sustainability
Dialogue in China. The event was attended by more than
50 experts from Chinese and international organizations, who
discussed local sustainability issues related to Daimler. Analogous
to the annual Stakeholder Dialogue in Stuttgart, we also held the
first Sustainability Dialogue in Washington, D.C.
Compliance? Of course! Over 71,500 employees and managers
participated in 2011 in online training courses on antitrust law
and the prevention of corruption or face-to-face training programs,
where they deepened their knowledge of these issues.
Risk assessment. In order to ensure that our business activities
have a positive effect on the protection of human rights in the long
term, we have introduced a risk assessment system. In 2011 we
used this system to assess risks at three of our production countries.
125 years of innovation. Since the invention of the automobile,
Daimler has submitted more than 80,000 patent applications
worldwide. In 2011 alone, the Group invested a total of €5,6 billion
in research and development.
Powerful and efficient. BlueEfficiency Power is the name of
a new generation of heavy-duty engines launched in spring 2011.
All of the powerful yet clean engines for heavy-duty commercial
vehicles already meet the Euro VI emissions standard two years
before it becomes binding.
Employee satisfaction. We regularly implement improvement
measures of many kinds on the basis of the results of our employee
surveys. The Employee Commitment Index (ECI) remained
stable at 63 points in 2011.
Worldwide training programs. We support our suppliers in a
targeted manner regarding themes such as working conditions,
the environment, and business ethics. In 2011 more than 100 suppliers
in Brazil, India, Mexico, and Turkey participated in training
sessions on these themes.
Award-winning customer service. In 2011 the Service Award of
kfz-betrieb magazine once again went to Mercedes-Benz. Places
1 through 5 went to four Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle
centers and one Fuso center. Mercedes-Benz also had top scores
in the ADAC 2011 test of car workshops.
Financial support has increased. In line with our policy of social
responsibility, we supported nonprofit organizations and social
initiatives with funds totaling €59 million in 2011. This amount
represented a 15.5 percent increase on the previous year.