1. Summary of significant accounting policies

General information

The consolidated financial statements of Daimler AG and its subsidiaries (“Daimler” or “the Group”) have been prepared in accordance with Section 315a of the German Commercial Code (HGB) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and related interpretations as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and as adopted by the European Union.

Daimler AG is a stock corporation organized under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. The company is entered in the Commercial Register of the Stuttgart District Court under No. HRB 19360 and its registered office is located at Mercedesstraße 137, 70327 Stuttgart, Germany.

The consolidated financial statements of Daimler AG are presented in euro (€).

The Board of Management authorized the consolidated financial statements for publication on March 1, 2010.

Basis of presentation

Applied IFRSs. The accounting policies applied in the consolidated financial statements comply with the IFRSs required to be applied as of December 31, 2009.

In May 2008, the IASB published its omnibus standard for improvements to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). One of the improvements was an amendment to the presentation of the derecognition of assets held for rental within the consolidated statement of income (loss) and consolidated statement of cash flows. Proceeds from the sale of assets held for rental in the course of ordinary activities must be recognized as revenue in accordance with the amended IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment. Cash flows resulting from these sales must be shown under cash flows from operating activities in accordance with the amended IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows. Daimler applies these amendments as of January 1, 2009 and has adjusted prior-year presentations accordingly. As a result, revenue and cost of sales recognized in 2009 in the consolidated statement of income (loss) each increased by €2,706 million (2008: increase of €2,596 million each; 2007: increase of €2,170 million each). The changes in the presentation of the consolidated statement of cash flows result in cash flows from vehicles on operating leases of the Daimler Financial Services business being presented within “Cash provided by (used for) operating activities” in the separate line item “Vehicles on operating leases” together with the cash flows from vehicles on operating leases of the industrial business. This change in classification resulted in a decrease of €1,398 million in “Cash provided by (used for) operating activities” in 2009 (2008: decrease of €2,338 million; 2007: decrease of €6,913 million). With an opposite effect, “Cash provided by (used for) investing activities” changed to the same extent in all periods due to this reclassification. In the context of this mandatory reclassification of cash flows from vehicles on operating leases of the Daimler Financial Services business, the Group decided also to reclassify changes in receivables from financial services from “Cash provided by (used for) investing activities” to “Cash provided by (used for) operating activities.” This change in classification resulted in an increase of €1,172 million in “Cash provided by (used for) operating activities” in 2009 (2008: decrease of €1,653 million; 2007: increase of €971 million). With this additional reclassification, the Group harmonizes the presentation of the entire sales financing and leasing business in the Group’s consolidated statement of cash flows within “Cash provided by (used for) operating activities.” The reported changes above did not affect the consolidated statement of financial position.

In March 2007, the IASB issued an amendment of IAS 23 Borrowing Costs. The amendment removes the option of immediately recognizing borrowing costs as an expense. The amended standard requires capitalization of borrowing costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of qualifying assets. Assets are considered qualifying when a substantial period of time is necessary to get them ready for use or sale. Adoption of the amendment is required prospectively as of January 1, 2009 for qualifying assets whose construction or production started after that date. In 2009, the Group capitalized borrowing costs of €1 million resulting from long-term development projects.

With the amendment of IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements, the consolidated financial statements contain in addition to the consolidated statement of income (loss) a consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss). The latter comprises the profit or loss of the reporting period as well as equity changes other than those changes resulting from transactions with owners in their capacity as owners that are not recognized in profit or loss (other comprehensive income or loss).

The IASB issued amendments to IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures which require enhanced disclosures about fair value measurement and liquidity risk. The amendments have no influence on the Group’s financial position, financial performance or statement of cash flows.

IFRSs issued and EU endorsed but not yet adopted. In January 2008, the IASB published revisions of IFRS 3 Business Combinations and IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements. Major changes are: (a) the requirement that the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and the equity interests be consistently measured at fair value on the acquisition date; (b) costs incurred in an acquisition are to be recognized in the income statement of the period; (c) option of measuring any non-controlling interest in the entity acquired at fair value; and (d) once control is obtained, all other increases and decreases in ownership interest are reported in equity. Adoption of the standard is required prospectively for annual periods beginning on or after July 1, 2009, with earlier adoption permitted. Daimler will adopt the standards as of January 1, 2010.

IFRSs issued but neither EU endorsed nor yet adopted. In November 2009, the IASB published IFRS 9 Financial Instruments as part of its project of a revision of the accounting guidance for financial instruments. The new standard provides guidance on the accounting of financial assets as far as classification and measurement are concerned. The standard will be effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. Earlier application is permitted. The Group will not early adopt IFRS 9 Financial Instruments for 2010. Daimler will determine the expected effects on the Groups’ consolidated financial statements

Other IFRSs issued but not required to be adopted are not expected to have significant influence on the Group’s financial position, financial performance or statement of cash flows.

Presentation. Presentation in the statement of financial position differentiates between current and non-current assets and liabilities. Assets and liabilities are classified as current if they mature within one year or within a longer operating cycle. Deferred tax assets and liabilities as well as assets and provisions for pensions and similar obligations are presented as non-current items. The consolidated statement of income (loss) is presented using the cost-of-sales method.

Commercial practices with respect to certain products manufactured by the Group necessitate that sales financing, including leasing alternatives, be made available to the Group’s customers. Accordingly, the Group’s consolidated financial statements are also significantly influenced by the activities of its financial services business.

To enhance readers’ understanding of the Group’s consolidated financial statements, the accompanying financial statements present, in addition to the audited consolidated financial statements, unaudited information with respect to the results of operations and financial position of the Group’s industrial and financial services business activities. Such information, however, is not required by IFRS and is not intended to, and does not represent the separate IFRS results of operations and financial position of the Group’s industrial or financial services business activities. Eliminations of the effects of transactions between the industrial and financial services businesses have generally been allocated to the industrial business columns.

Measurement. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis with the exception of certain items such as available-for-sale financial assets, derivative financial instruments or hedged items as well as pensions and similar obligations. Measurement models applied to those exceptions are described below.

Use of estimates and judgments. Preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments related to the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense for the period. Significant items related to such estimates and judgments include recoverability of investments in equipment on operating leases, investments in associated companies, collectability of receivables from financial services, assumptions of future cash flows from cash-generating units or development projects, recoverability of deferred tax assets, useful lives of plant and equipment, warranty obligations, and assets and obligations related to employee benefits. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates.

Risks and uncertainties. Daimler’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. For example, stagnation or a renewed downturn of the global economy could cause actual results to vary from current expectations. Additional parameters which may cause actual results to differ from current expectations include further increases in overcapacity and the intensity of competition in the automotive industry; dependence on suppliers, especially single-source suppliers; a permanent shift in consumer preference towards smaller cars; implementation of new technologies; fluctuations in currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices; the resolution of significant legal proceedings; and environmental and other government regulations.

Principles of consolidation.The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Daimler and, in general, the financial statements of Daimler’s subsidiaries, including special purpose entities which are directly or indirectly controlled by Daimler. Control means the power, directly or indirectly, to govern the financial and operating policies of an entity so that the Group obtains benefits from its activities.

The financial statements of consolidated subsidiaries are generally prepared as of the balance sheet date of the consolidated financial statements, except for Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), a significant subgroup which is consolidated with a one-month time lag. Adjustments are made for significant events or transactions that occur during the time lag.

The financial statements of Daimler and its subsidiaries included in the consolidated financial statements have been prepared using uniform recognition and valuation principles. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions relating to consolidated subsidiaries and consolidated special purpose entities have been eliminated.

Business combinations are accounted for using the purchase method.

As a further funding source, Daimler transfers finance receivables, in particular receivables from the leasing and automotive business, to special purpose entities. Daimler thereby principally retains significant risks of the transferred receivables. According to IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements and the Standing Interpretations Committee (SIC) Interpretation 12 Consolidation – Special Purpose Entities, those special purpose entities have to be consolidated by the transferor. The transferred financial assets remain on Daimler’s consolidated statement of financial position.

Investments in associated companies and joint ventures. Associated companies are equity investments in which Daimler has the ability to exercise significant influence over the financial and operating policies of the investee. Joint ventures are those entities over whose activities Daimler has joint control with partners, established by contractual agreement and requiring unanimous consent for strategic financial and operating decisions. Associated companies and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method.

The excess of the cost of Daimler’s initial investment in equity method companies over the Group’s proportionate reassessed ownership interest is recognized as investor level goodwill and included in the carrying amount of the investment accounted for using the equity method.

If the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount of an investment in any associated company or joint venture, the carrying amount of the investment has to be reduced to the recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. An impairment loss is recognized in the income statement in the line item “Share of profit (loss) from investments accounted for using the equity method, net.” Income and expenses from the sale of investments accounted for using the equity method are shown in the same line item.

Profits from transactions with associated companies and joint ventures are eliminated by reducing the carrying amount of the investment.

For the investments in the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V. (EADS), Tognum AG (Tognum), Kamaz OAO (Kamaz) and – until the redemption of the remaining 19.9% equity interest – Chrysler Holding LLC (Chrysler), the Group’s proportionate share of the results of operations is included in Daimler’s consolidated financial statements with a three-month time lag because the financial statements of those associated companies are not made available timely to Daimler. Adjustments are made for all significant events or transactions that occur during the time lag (see also Note 12).

Foreign currency translation. Transactions in foreign currency are translated at the relevant foreign exchange rates prevailing at the transaction date. Subsequent gains and losses from the remeasurement of financial assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency are recognized in profit and loss (except for available-for-sale equity instruments and financial liabilities designated as a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation).

The assets and liabilities of foreign companies for which the functional currency is not the euro are translated into euro using period-end exchange rates. The translation adjustments generated after the transition to IFRS on January 1, 2005 are recorded directly in equity. The consolidated statements of income (loss) and cash flows are translated into euro using average exchange rates during the respective periods.

The exchange rates of the US dollar, the most significant foreign currency for Daimler, were as follows:

Accounting policies

Revenue recognition. Revenue from sales of vehicles, service parts and other related products is recognized when the risks and rewards of ownership of the goods are transferred to the customer, the amount of revenue can be estimated reliably and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue is recognized net of discounts, cash sales incentives, customer bonuses and rebates granted.

Daimler uses price discounts in response to a number of market and product factors, including pricing actions and incentives offered by competitors, the amount of excess industry production capacity, the intensity of market competition and consumer demand for the product. The Group may offer a variety of sales incentive programs at any point in time, including cash offers to dealers and consumers, lease subsidies which reduce the consumers’ monthly lease payment, or reduced financing rate programs offered to consumers.

Revenue from receivables from financial services is recognized using the effective interest method. When loans are issued below market rates, related receivables are recognized at present value and revenue is reduced for the interest incentive granted.

The Group offers an extended, separately priced warranty for certain products. Revenue from these contracts is deferred and recognized into income over the contract period in proportion to the costs expected to be incurred based on historical information. In circumstances in which there is insufficient historical information, income from extended warranty contracts is recognized on a straight-line basis.

A loss on these contracts is recognized in the current period if the sum of the expected costs for services under the contract exceeds unearned revenue.

For transactions with multiple deliverables, such as when vehicles are sold with free or reduced in price service programs, the Group allocates revenue to the various elements based on their estimated fair values.

Sales in which the Group guarantees the minimum resale value of the product, such as sales to certain rental car company customers, are accounted for similar to an operating lease. The guarantee of the resale value may take the form of an obligation by Daimler to pay any deficiency between the proceeds the customer receives upon resale in an auction and the guaranteed amount, or an obligation to reacquire the vehicle after a certain period of time at a set price. Gains or losses from the resale of these vehicles are included in gross profit.

Revenue from operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Among the assets subject to “Operating Leases” there are Group products, which are purchased by Daimler Financial Services from independent third-party dealers and leased to customers. After revenue recognition from the sale of the vehicles to independent third-party dealers, these vehicles create further revenue from leasing and remarketing as a result of lease contracts entered into. The Group estimates, that the revenue recognized following the sale of vehicles to dealers equals approximately the additions to leased assets at Daimler Financial Services. Additions to leased assets at Daimler Financial Services were approximately €4 billion in 2009 (2008: approximately €5 billion).

Research and non-capitalized development costs. Expenditure for research and development that does not meet the conditions for capitalization according to IAS 38 Intangible Assets is expensed as incurred.

Borrowing costs. Borrowing costs are expensed as incurred, unless they are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying asset and therefore form part of the cost of that asset.

Government grants. Government grants related to assets are deducted in calculating the carrying amount of the asset and are recognized in profit or loss over the life of a depreciable asset as a reduced depreciation expense.

Interest income (expense), net. Interest income (expense), net includes interest expense from liabilities, interest income from investments in securities, cash and cash equivalents as well as interest and changes in fair values related to interest rate hedging activities. Income and expense resulting from the allocation of premiums and discounts is also included. Furthermore, the interest component from pensions and similar obligations is disclosed under this line item.

An exception to the afore mentioned principles is made for Daimler Financial Services. In this case the interest income and expense and the result from derivative financial instruments are disclosed under revenue and cost of sales, respectively

Other financial income (expense), net. Other financial income (expense), net includes income and expense from financial transactions which are not included under interest income (expense), net, e.g. expense from the compounding of interest on provisions for other risks.

Gains and losses resulting from the issuance of shares by a Group subsidiary to third parties that reduces Daimler’s percentage ownership (“dilution gains and losses”) and Daimler’s share of any dilution gains and losses reported by its investees accounted for under the equity method are recognized in other financial income (expense), net, or in share of profit (loss) from companies accounted for using the equity method, net.

Income taxes. Current income taxes are determined based on respective local taxable income of the period and tax rules. In addition, current income taxes include adjustments for uncertain tax payments or tax refunds for periods not yet assessed as well as interest expense and penalties on the underpayment of taxes. Deferred tax is included in income tax expense (benefit) and reflects the changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities except for changes recognized directly in equity.

Deferred tax assets or liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between financial reporting and the tax basis of assets and liabilities including differences from consolidation, loss carryforwards and tax credits. Measurement takes place on the basis of the tax rates whose effectiveness is expected for the period in which an asset is realized or a liability is settled. For this purpose, the tax rates and tax rules are used which have been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that taxable profit at the level of the relevant tax authority will be available for the utilization of the deductible temporary differences. Daimler recognizes a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets when it is unlikely that a respective amount of future taxable profit will be available or when Daimler no longer has control over the tax advantage.

Tax benefits resulting from uncertain income tax positions are recognized at the best estimate of the tax amount expected to be paid.

Discontinued operations. The operating activities of Chrysler including the related financial services business in North America until August 3, 2007, the result from the deconsolidation of the Chrysler activities and adjustments of this result are presented as discontinued operations in the Group’s statement of income (loss) (see Note 2).

Earnings (loss) per share. Basic earnings (loss) per share are calculated by dividing profit or loss attributable to shareholders of Daimler by the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Diluted earnings (loss) per share additionally reflect the potential dilution that would occur if all stock option plans were exercised.

Goodwill. For acquisitions consummated after the transition to IFRS on January 1, 2005, goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquired business over the fair values assigned to the separately identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. The purchase of minority rights is treated in the same manner. In the case of an adjustment for contingent consideration, such amount is principally included in goodwill.

Other intangible assets. Intangible assets acquired are measured at cost less accumulated amortization. If necessary, accumulated impairment losses will be recognized. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are reviewed annually to determine whether indefinite-life assessment continues to be supportable. If not, the change in the useful-life assessment from indefinite to finite is made on a prospective basis.

Intangible assets other than development costs with finite useful lives are generally amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives (3 to 10 years) and are reviewed for impairment whenever there is an indication that the intangible asset may be impaired. The amortization period for intangible assets with finite useful lives is reviewed at least at each year-end. Changes in expected useful lives are treated as changes in accounting estimates. The amortization expense on intangible assets with finite useful lives is recorded in functional costs.

Development costs are recognized if the conditions for capitalization according to IAS 38 are met. Subsequent to initial recognition, the asset is carried at cost less accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses. Capitalized development costs include all direct costs and allocable overheads and are amortized over the expected product life cycle (2 to 10 years). Amortization of capitalized development costs is an element of the manufacturing costs allocated to those vehicles and components by which they have been generated and is included in cost of sales when the inventory is sold.

Property, plant and equipment. Property, plant and equipment are valued at acquisition or manufacturing costs less accumulated depreciation. If necessary accumulated impairment losses will be recognized. The costs of internally produced equipment and facilities include all direct costs and allocable overheads. Acquisition or manufacturing costs include the estimate of the costs of dismantling and removing the item and restoring the site, if any. Plant and equipment under finance leases are stated at the lower of present value of minimum lease payments or fair value less the respective accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Depreciation expense is recognized using the straight-line method.

A residual value of the asset is considered. Property, plant and equipment are depreciated over the following useful lives:

Leasing. Leasing includes all arrangements that transfer the right to use a specified asset for a stated period of time in return for a payment, even if the right to use such asset is not explicitly described in an arrangement. The Group is a lessee of property, plant and equipment and a lessor of its products, principally passenger cars, trucks, vans and buses. It is evaluated on the basis of the risks and rewards of a leased asset whether the ownership of the leased asset is attributed to the lessee (finance lease) or to the lessor (operating lease). Rent expense on operating leases where the Group is lessee is recognized over the respective lease terms on a straight-line basis. Equipment on operating leases where the Group is lessor is carried initially at its acquisition or manufacturing cost and is depreciated to its expected residual value over the contractual term of the lease, on a straight-line basis. The same accounting principles apply to assets if Daimler sells such assets and leases them back from the buyer.

Impairment of non-financial assets.Daimler assesses at each reporting date whether there is an indication that an asset may be impaired. If such indication exists, or when annual impairment testing for an asset is required (goodwill, other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and intangible assets not yet in use), Daimler estimates the recoverable amount of the asset. The recoverable amount is determined for each individual asset unless the asset does not generate cash inflows that are largely independent of those from other assets or groups of assets (cash-generating unit). The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. Daimler determines the recoverable amount as fair value less costs to sell and compares it with the carrying amount (including goodwill). Fair value is measured by discounting future cash flows using a risk-adjusted interest rate. Cash flows, which influence the assessment of residual values, are estimated on the basis of the operative planning (two years period) supplemented by additional information to determine subsequent planning periods. Periods not covered by the forecast are taken into account by recognizing a residual value, which principally does not consider any growth rates. If fair value less costs to sell cannot be determined or is lower than the carrying amount, value in use is calculated. If the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount, an impairment charge is recognized amounting to the difference.

An assessment for assets other than goodwill is made at each reporting date as to whether there is any indication that previously recognized impairment losses may no longer exist or may have decreased. If this is the case, Daimler records a partial or an entire reversal of the impairment.

Thereby, the carrying amount is increased to its recoverable amount. However, the increased carrying amount shall not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined (net of depreciation) had no impairment loss been recognized in prior years.

Non-current assets held for sale and disposal groups. Non-current assets held for sale or disposal groups are classified as held for sale and disclosed separately in the statement of financial position. The assets or disposal groups are then measured at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell and are no longer depreciated. If fair value less costs to sell subsequently increases, any impairment loss previously recognized is reversed. The reversal is restricted to the impairment losses previously recognized for the assets concerned.

Inventories. Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The net realizable value is the estimated selling price less any remaining costs to sell. The cost of inventories is based on the average cost principle and includes expenditures incurred in acquiring the inventories and bringing them to their existing location and condition. In the case of manufactured inventories and work in progress, cost also includes production overheads based on normal capacity.

Financial instruments. A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity instrument of another entity. Financial instruments in the form of financial assets and financial liabilities are generally presented separately. Financial instruments are recognized as soon as Daimler becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the financial instrument.

Upon initial recognition, financial instruments are measured at fair value. For the purpose of subsequent measurement, financial instruments are allocated to one of the categories mentioned in IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. Transaction costs directly attributable to acquisition or issuance are considered by determining the carrying amount if the financial instruments are not measured at fair value through profit or loss. If the transaction date and the settlement date (i.e. the date of delivery) differ, Daimler uses the transaction date for purposes of initial recognition or derecognition.

Financial assets. Financial assets primarily comprise receivables from financial services, trade receivables, receivables from banks, cash on hand, derivative financial assets and marketable securities and investments.

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss. Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss include those financial assets designated as held for trading.

Financial assets such as shares and interest-bearing securities are classified as held for trading if they are acquired for the purpose of selling in the near term. Derivatives, including embedded derivatives separated from the host contract, are also classified as held for trading unless they are designated as effective hedging instruments. Gains or losses on financial assets held for trading are recognized in profit or loss.

Loans and receivables. Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market, such as receivables from financial services or trade receivables. After initial recognition, loans and receivables are subsequently carried at amortized cost using the effective interest method less any impairment losses, if necessary. Gains and losses are recognized in the income statement when the loans and receivables are derecognized or impaired. Interest effects on the application of the effective interest method are also recognized in profit or loss.

Available-for-sale financial assets. Available-for-sale financial assets are non-derivative financial assets that are designated as available for sale or that are not classified in any of the preceding categories. This category includes, among others, equity instruments and debt instruments such as government bonds, corporate bonds and commercial paper.

After initial measurement, available-for-sale financial assets are measured at fair value with unrealized gains or losses being recognized in equity within other reserves (reserves from financial assets available-for-sale). If objective evidence of impairment exists or if changes in the fair value of a debt instrument resulting from currency fluctuations occur, these changes are recognized in profit or loss. Upon disposal of financial assets, the accumulated gains and losses recognized in equity resulting from measurment at fair value are recognized in profit or loss. If a reliable estimate of the fair value of an unquoted equity instrument such as investments in German limited liability companies, cannot be made, this instrument is measured at cost (less any impairment losses). Interest earned on these financial assets is generally reported as interest income using the effective interest rate method. Dividends are recognized in profit or loss when the right of payment has been established.

Cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash on hand, checks, demand deposits at banks as well as debt instruments and certificates of deposits with an original term of up to three months. Cash and cash equivalents correspond with the classification in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Impairment of financial assets. At each reporting date, the carrying amounts of the financial assets other than those to be measured at fair value through profit or loss are assessed to determine whether there is objective, significant evidence of impairment (e.g. a debtor is facing serious financial difficulties or there is a substantial change in the technological, economic, legal or market environment of the debtor).

For quoted equity instruments, a significant or prolonged decline in fair value is an additional objective evidence for a possible impairment. Daimler has defined criteria for the significance and duration of a decline in fair value.

A decline in fair value is deemed significant if it exceeds 20% of the carrying amount of the investment; it is deemed prolonged to the extent that it does not reverse within nine months.

Loans and receivables. The amount of the impairment loss on loans and receivables is measured as the difference between the carrying amount of the asset and the present value of estimated future cash flows (excluding expected future credit losses that have not been incurred), discounted at the original effective interest rate of the financial asset. The amount of the impairment loss is recognized in profit or loss.

If, in a subsequent reporting period, the amount of the impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognized, the impairment loss recorded in prior periods is reversed and recognized in profit or loss.

In most cases, an impairment loss on loans and receivables (e.g. receivables from financial services including finance lease receivables, trade receivables) is recorded using allowance accounts. The decision to account for credit risks using an allowance account or by directly reducing the receivable depends on the estimated probability of the loss of receivables. When receivables are assessed as uncollectible, the impaired asset is derecognized.

Available-for-sale financial assets. If an available-for-sale financial asset is impaired, the difference between its cost (net of any principal payment and amortization) and its current fair value, less any impairment loss previously recognized in the income statement, is reclassified from direct recognition in equity to the income statement. Reversals with respect to equity instruments classified as available for sale are recognized in equity. Reversals of impairment losses on debt instruments are reversed through the statement of income if the increase in fair value of the instrument can be objectively related to an event occurring after the impairment losses were recognized in income.

Financial liabilities. Financial liabilities primarily include trade payables, liabilities to banks, bonds, derivative financial liabilities and other liabilities.

Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost. After initial recognition, financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss. Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss include financial liabilities held for trading. Derivatives, including embedded derivatives separated from the host contract, are classified as held for trading unless they are designated as effective hedging instruments in hedge accounting. Gains or losses on liabilities held for trading are recognized in profit or loss.

Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting. Daimler uses derivative financial instruments such as forward contracts, swaps, options, futures, swaptions, forward rate agreements, caps and floors mainly for the purpose of hedging interest rate and currency risks that arise from its operating, financing, and investing activities.

Embedded derivatives are separated from the host contract which is not measured at fair value through profit or loss when the analysis shows that the economic characteristics and risks of embedded derivatives are not closely related to those of the host contract.

Derivative financial instruments are measured at fair value upon initial recognition and at each subsequent reporting date. The fair value of listed derivatives is equal to their positive or negative market value. If a market value is not available, fair value is calculated using standard financial valuation models such as discounted cash flow or option pricing models. Derivatives are carried as assets when the fair value is positive and as liabilities when the fair value is negative.

If the requirements for hedge accounting set out in IAS 39 are met, Daimler designates and documents the hedge relationship from the date a derivative contract is entered into as either a fair value hedge or a cash flow hedge. In a fair value hedge, the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment is hedged. In a cash flow hedge, the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability or a highly probable forecast transaction is hedged. The documentation of the hedging relationship includes the objectives and strategy of risk management, the type of hedging relationship, the nature of risk being hedged, the identification of the hedging instrument and the hedged item, as well as a description of the method used to assess hedge effectiveness. The hedging transactions are expected to be highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows and are regularly assessed to determine that they have actually been highly effective throughout the financial reporting periods for which they are designated.

Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are recognized periodically in either earnings or equity, as a component of other reserves, depending on whether the derivative is designated as a hedge of changes in fair value or cash flows. For fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the hedged item and the derivative are recognized currently in earnings. For cash flow hedges, fair value changes in the effective portion of the hedging instrument are recognized in other reserves, net of applicable taxes. Amounts taken to equity are reclassified to the income statement when the hedged transaction affects the income statement. The ineffective portion of the fair value changes is recognized in profit or loss.

If derivative financial instruments do not or no longer qualify for hedge accounting because the qualifying criteria for hedge accounting are not or are no longer met, the derivative financial instruments are classified as held for trading.

Pensions and similar obligations. The measurement of defined benefit plans for pensions and other post-employment benefits (e.g. medical care) in accordance with IAS 19 Employee Benefits is based on the projected unit credit method. For the valuation of defined post-employment benefit plans, differences between actuarial assumptions used and actual results and changes in actuarial assumptions result in actuarial gains and losses, which have to be amortized in future periods. Amortization of unrecognized actuarial gains and losses arising after the transition to IFRS on January 1, 2005 is recorded in accordance with the “corridor approach.” This approach requires partial amortization of actuarial gains and losses in the following year with an effect on earnings if the unrecognized gains and losses exceed 10 percent of the greater of (1) the defined post-employment benefit obligation or (2) the fair value of the plan assets. In such cases, the amount of amortization recognized by the Group is the resulting excess divided by the average remaining service period of active employees expected to receive benefits under the plan.

When the benefits of a plan are changed, the portion of the change in benefit relating to past service by employees is recognized in profit or loss on a straight-line basis over the average period until the benefits become vested. To the extent that the benefits vest immediately, the impact is recognized directly in profit or loss.

A negative net obligation arising from prepaid future contributions is only recognized as an asset to the extent that a cash refund from the plan or reductions of future contributions to the plan are available. Any exceeding amount is recognized in net periodic pension costs in the period when it is incurred (“asset ceiling”).

Provisions for other risks and contingent liabilities. A provision is recognized when a liability to third parties has been incurred, an outflow of resources is probable and the amount of the obligation can be reasonably estimated. In particular, restructuring provisions are recognized when the Group has a detailed formal plan that has either commenced implementation or been announced. Provisions are regularly reviewed and adjusted as further information develops or circumstances change.

The provision for expected warranty-related costs is established when the product is sold, upon lease inception, or when a new warranty program is initiated. Estimates for accrued warranty costs are primarily based on historical experience.

Daimler records the fair value of an asset retirement obligation from the period in which the obligation is incurred.

The restructuring provisions arise from planned programs that materially change the scope of business performed by a segment or business unit or the manner in which business is conducted. In most cases, restructuring expenses include termination benefits and compensation payments due to the termination of agreements with suppliers and dealers.

Share-based payment. Share-based payment comprises cash-settled liability awards and equity-settled equity awards.

The fair value of equity awards is generally determined by using a modified Black-Scholes option pricing model at grant date and represents the total payment expense to be recognized during the service period with a corresponding increase in equity (paid-in capital).

Liability awards are measured at fair value at each balance sheet date until settlement and are classified as provisions. The expense of the period comprises the addition to and the reversal of the provision between two reporting dates and the dividend equivalent paid during the period.

Presentation in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Interest and taxes paid as well as interest and dividends received are classified as cash provided by operating activities. Dividends paid are shown in cash provided by (used for) financing activities.

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