May 03, 2023 – At the Mercedes-Benz Group AG Annual Meeting for the financial year 2022 the company outlines its strategic progress while delivering strong financial results and shareholder returns.
Recording of opening speeches
The opening of the General Meeting and the speeches by the Chairman of the Supervisory Board and the Chairman of the Board of Management as recordings.
Speeches
Transformation on track
Performance raised
For shareholders, the past year was rewarding: Between March 2022 and March 2023 Mercedes-Benz total shareholder returns – the profit from all capital gains and dividends – increased by 20%, outperforming the German DAX index, where total shareholder returns rose 8% during the same period.
For the financial year 2022 the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board propose a dividend of €5.20 (2021: €5.00). Based on this proposal, the total dividend pay-out for 2022 amounts to €5.6 billion (2021: €5.3 billion). Furthermore, the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board in February 2023 agreed on a share buyback program. Beginning in March 2023, Mercedes-Benz shares worth up to €4 billion (not including incidental costs) are intended to be acquired on the stock exchange over a period of up to two years, with a view to cancelling the shares.
The Mercedes-Benz Group successfully overcame the challenges of the past year, demonstrating a high level of resilience and great adaptability while remaining focused on substantial progress in implementing, developing, and sharpening its sustainable business strategy. Going forward, we will continue to work on a profitable, electric and software-driven future at Mercedes-Benz.
Bernd Pischetsrieder Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Mercedes-Benz Group AG
The company’s focus on desirable products is paying off. Sales in the Mercedes-Benz Top-End segment increased by 8% last year while battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales for Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars rose to 128,700 vehicles (+147%) and 15,000 eVans (+9%). Group Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) improved by 28% to €20.5 billion (2021: €16.0 billion) and revenue increased by 12% to €150 billion (2021: €134 billion). The momentum continued in 2023: In the first quarter, improved pricing outweighed headwinds from material costs. Together with higher sales as well as a favourable product mix, resulted in an EBIT of €5.5 billion (Q1 2022: €5.2 billion). First-quarter revenue increased 8% to €37.5 billion (Q1 2022: €34.9 billion) and adjusted EBIT rose to €5.4 billion (Q1 2022: €5.3 billion).
As the world’s most valuable luxury automotive brand, we delivered strong results in 2022 and have become significantly more resilient while driving forward the transformation. This is the result of great teamwork and our highly sought-after products. Together we stand by our ambition to build the most desirable cars and vans and to be a double-digit margin company – also in the electric and digital era.
Ola Källenius Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG
Martin Brudermueller put forward as candidate for chairman of the Supervisory Board
Bernd Pischetsrieder will, following the expiration of his current mandate as Chaiman of the Supervisory Board of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, not make himself available for a further term of office. His term ends at the end of the Annual General Meeting next year (2024). In keeping with long-term orderly succession planning, Bernd Pischetsrieder has already proposed Martin Brudermueller as his successor for the post of Chairman of the Supervisory Board at the constituent meeting of the Supervisory Board today. An election will take place at the constituent Supervisory Board meeting after the 2024 Annual General Meeting.
Since 2018, Dr. Martin Brudermueller is the Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE. He is responsible for the divisions Corporate Legal, Compliance & Insurance, Corporate Development, Corporate Communications & Government Relations, Corporate Human Resources, Corporate Investor Relations, Senior Project Net Zero Accelerator. He started his career with BASF in 1988. Since 2006, he has been a member of the Board of Executive Directors in various roles, including Chief Technology Officer and Member of the Executive Board responsible for the Asia-Pacific region, based in Hong Kong.
To our shareholders
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Documents for the Annual General Meeting 2023
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The following information can be found in the Annual Report:
- Consolidated Financial Statements 2022
- Report of the Supervisory Board
- Combined Management Report with Non-Financial Declaration
- Explanatory Report §§ 289a Abs. 1, 315a Abs. 1 HGB
- Declaration on Corporate Governance
- Statement of Investments § 313 HGB
Below you will find all countermotions and election proposals from shareholders within the meaning of sections 126, 127 of the German Stock Corporation Act (Aktiengesetz) relating to the items on the agenda of the Annual General Meeting 2023 which are to be made accessible.
Statements of shareholders
Video statements submitted by shareholders within the meaning of sections 130a (1) to (4) of the German Stock Corporation Act on the items on the agenda of the Annual General Meeting 2023 that are to be made accessible have not been received.