Daimler Truck

Daimler Truck finds its power again! In the third quarter of 2026, the German manufacturer posts a 26% increase in its sales and an adjusted operating result up 73%. A spectacular rebound, largely driven by North America. But behind these excellent results, performances remain contrasted. And on the electric truck, France stands out as an exception!

More trucks sold and above all much more profit!

Daimler Truck delivered 91,260 vehicles in the third quarter of 2026, compared to 72,277 a year earlier. An increase of 26% which confirms the recovery of activity.

Industrial revenue progresses by 20%, to 11.6 billion euros. But it is above all the profitability that impresses: the adjusted operating result leaps from 648 million to 1.124 billion euros, i.e. +73%!

The operating margin reaches 9.1%, compared to 6.2% a year earlier. Orders also progress by 10%, to 71,168 vehicles.

In short, Daimler sells more and above all earns much more money!

North America pulls the group upward

It is clearly across the Atlantic that Daimler Truck achieves its finest performance.

With Freightliner and Western Star, the Trucks North America division posts 45,629 vehicles sold, a spectacular progression of 51%.

Its revenue leaps by 43%, to 5.7 billion euros. As for the adjusted operating result, it reaches 691 million euros, compared to 257 million in 2025.

The margin thus goes from 6.4% to 12.1%. That seriously changes the game!

After several difficult quarters, the North American market gives the German manufacturer room to breathe again.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks: it progresses, but margins resist poorly

On the Mercedes-Benz Trucks side, volumes also progress, with 40,362 vehicles sold, i.e. +13%.

Revenue increases by 10%, to 5.36 billion euros, while the adjusted operating result reaches 337 million euros, up 6%.

But beware: the margin falls slightly, from 6.5% to 6.3%.

In other words, Mercedes sells more trucks without improving its profitability. In a market where Volvo Trucks, Scania, MAN, DAF engage in fierce competition, cost control therefore remains essential.

Electric: the spectacular contrast of the French market!

On a global scale, Daimler Truck's deliveries of battery electric trucks and buses fell by 28% in the third quarter, with 1,207 vehicles compared to 1,679 a year earlier.

But this overall figure deserves to be seriously nuanced!

In France, Daimler Truck on the contrary posts a progression of more than 300% in its electric truck registrations compared to the previous year.

A spectacular performance explained notably by the effect of French bonuses linked to energy savings certificates (CEE), but also by the qualities of the eActros which stands as a leader on long-distance.

With the eActros 600, Mercedes has a particularly convincing truck. We were able to note this during our TruckStop test on the Occitanie circuit, where it had established an excellent reference in terms of consumption.

The French market thus demonstrates that with a high-performing product and appropriate aids, hauliers can take the step by beginning to envisage a favourable TCO for electric.

The question of charging infrastructure and overall operating cost obviously remains. Because to last, this growth will also need to function without depending exclusively on subsidies.

A solid cash flow, but Daimler remains cautious

The free cash flow from industrial activities reaches 974 million euros, compared to only 24 million a year earlier. A progression which however also benefits from the partial disposal of the stake in ARCHION, the structure bringing together Fuso and Hino.

Daimler Truck maintains its forecasts for 2026, with an adjusted industrial margin expected between 7% and 9%.

Because despite this particularly successful third quarter, the cumulative adjusted operating result over the first nine months remains 10% below that of 2025.

The TruckStop analysis: an impressive rebound, to be confirmed!

Daimler Truck unquestionably signs an excellent third quarter. North America finds remarkable profitability again, while Mercedes-Benz Trucks continues its commercial progression.

But European margins remain under pressure and the global decline in electric deliveries recalls that the energy transition advances at very different paces depending on the markets.

France provides precisely the inverse demonstration, with a surge of more than 300% in Daimler Truck electric registrations. Proof that the CEE schemes put in place by the French government, combined with a truck like the eActros, can seriously accelerate purchase decisions.

It remains to confirm this dynamic over time.

Because at Daimler Truck, the financial engines are running at full speed again. But an excellent quarter is not yet enough to make an excellent year!