Daimler Truck Holding is hopeful of moving past the prolonged chip shortage that has beset manufacturers globally, the head of the company’s Mercedes lorry brand said.
After months of factory outages due to component shortfalls, the order backlog is keeping factories busy even as the global economy shows signs of sputtering, said Karin Radstrom, who also leads the lorry maker’s business in Europe and South America.
The world’s biggest lorry maker has so far also evaded disruption from coronavirus lockdowns in China, she said.
“It’s better, it’s not perfect, but it’s better than last year,” Ms Radstrom said. “I try to not celebrate too early, we’re still monitoring the situation closely.”
Manufacturers like Daimler Truck — which also counts the Freightliner, Western Star and Fuso brands — and peer Volvo Group have had to curtail output as plants globally could not source enough of the high-tech components even as demand for transport boomed.
Ms Radstrom’s comments echo an assessment from Mercedes-Benz production chief Joerg Burzer this week. He said the chip shortage was no longer causing serious production stoppages.
A global shortage of lorries contributed to a jump in shipping rates as companies raced to restore depleted inventories.
While warnings over the health of the global economy are intensifying, Ms Radstrom said there were no signs yet of a slowdown in lorry manufacturing, typically a sector that is sensitive to downturns.
“There’s still very, very high demand relative to supply,” Ms Radstrom said. “Despite the changes in the economy, we don’t see any downturn in demand. It can change very quickly, however.”
Daimler Truck, which split from Mercedes last year, is working to improve margins after historically struggling to turn unrivalled industrial scale into returns matching those of Volvo and Paccar.
Meanwhile, electric vehicle specialists, including Tesla and Nikola, are plotting inroads into the trucking market amid the global crackdown on transport emissions.
Daimler Truck’s zero-emissions strategy focuses on developing battery-powered commercial vehicles for shorter journeys and hydrogen fuel-cell models for longer stretches.
The manufacturer last year started production of its electric vehicle eActros in Germany.
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
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Rooney's club record
At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
