Daimler's third-quarter operating profit declined, as the cost of making diesel engine cars run cleaner, and other special items outweighed record sales of Mercedes-Benz luxury models.
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) at the German automotive group plunged 14% to €3.46 billion ($4.08 billion) in the July-to-September period, Daimler said on Friday, in line with the €3.43 billion consensus forecast in a Reuters poll of banks and brokerages.
Daimler spent about €220 million last quarter to update over 3 million current and older Mercedes diesel models in Europe to curb pollution and help avert driving bans.
The car-and-truck manufacturer stuck with its guidance for a significant increase in group EBIT this year. It said it now expected EBIT at its trucks division to also significantly exceed year-ago levels, having previously guided for flat EBIT.
