Daimler-Benz Aerospace (DASA) began the long haul back from its disastrous losses in the first half of the 1996, after shedding Fokker at the start of the year.
The aerospace business saw operating profit improve by almost DM1 billion ($680 million) although that still left DASA with losses of DM700 million.
Presenting the results, group chairman Juergen Schrempp claimed that the whole of the Daimler-Benz group was on the "path towards a total renewal". He also made a pointed commitment that the group would only take on new activities if they "-promise healthy returns".
DASA's improvement was helped by a recovery in the strength of the US dollar against the deutschmark so far this year.
Sales revenues for the continuing businesses were up by 9%, at DM5.3 billion. The parent Daimler-Benz group swung back to net profits of DM782 million led by a record result at the main Mercedes-Benz car business.
Source: Flight International
