(April 30, 2014) STUTTGART, Germany — Daimler AG reported today that it started 2014 with significant growth in unit sales, revenue and earnings. Worldwide, the Group sold 565,800 cars and commercial vehicles in the first quarter — more than ever before — increasing its unit sales by 13% compared with the prior-year period.

Despite unfavorable exchange rate developments, revenue increased by 13% to €29.5 billion ($40.7 billion). Net profit reached €1,086 million ($1.49 billion), nearly double compared with the prior-year period.

"Our strategy is paying off; our investments are bearing fruit," stated Dr. Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. "We made a good start to this year, as expected. As the year progresses, we will continue working systematically on our profitable growth path."

Daimler says the significant increase in earnings at the beginning of the year was influenced by the very positive development of unit sales and revenue, a better model mix and further efficiency gains at all divisions. Foreign exchange rates had a negative impact on EBIT in the first quarter. The hedging of the investment in Tesla and the disposal of the shares in Rolls-Royce Power Systems Holding GmbH (RRPSH) resulted in expenses of €161 million and €118 million respectively.

Without those two special items, operating profit would have more than doubled compared with the prior-year period. The sale of the shares in Rolls-Royce Power Systems Holding and the changeover from the equity-method measurement of the shares in Tesla to first-time fair-value measurement at the reference date March 31, 2014, will lead to a significant contribution to earnings of approximately €1.7 billion.