Daimler to offset higher R&D costs to lower emissions with lower material costs

Increased parts commonality between the current C-Class and the next generation E-Class will also be key to the firm's cost-cutting drive.

Daimler will look to offset the extra research and development (R&D) costs it will incur as a result of stricter European Union (EU) emissions regulations with material cost savings, according to a Reuters report. In fact, according to chief financial officer (CFO) Bodo Uebber, the firm has already achieved this particular goal. He said, "Already in 2014, we could offset the burdens in variable cost for all these CO2-related measures with material cost efficiencies. I think it will be the same in '15 and '16 and '17."