GERMANY. Daimler Truck Financial Services on its way to becoming an integrated service provider for electromobility
Daimler Truck
Daimler Truck Financial Services on its way to becoming an integrated service provider for electromobility
Daimler Truck Financial Services is transforming itself from a pure financial services provider to an integrated provider of service solutions for zero emission transport
The aim is to create an integrated ecosystem for emission-free vehicles from a single source: from planning and installation to maintenance and electricity contracts.
New growth opportunities in charging, infrastructure financing, insurance, payment, or rental
Leinfelden-Echterdingen/Germany – Daimler Truck Financial Services (DTFS) is building an integrated ecosystem that supports the introduction of zero-emission vehicles. The aim is not only to secure the financing of trucks and buses, but also to offer customers a holistic ecosystem for vehicles and charging infrastructure from a single source.
“The transformation into a holistic provider of integrated service solutions reflects our commitment to help shape the future of emission-free transport,” says CEO Stephan Unger. “Our approach ensures that customers can not only finance a vehicle, but also include the charging infrastructure and electricity in their total cost of ownership (TCO) at fixed monthly installments. This will enable customers to add electric trucks and buses to their portfolio with predictable costs and reduced risk.”
For DTFS, the transformation into a full-service provider means additional growth opportunities with new products and business models that go beyond classic leasing and financing for trucks and buses. This includes, for example, offering solutions for charging and charging infrastructure, expanding the insurance business, further developing the rental business, or establishing its own payment solution. Customers in many markets can already flexibly bundle the various components at fixed monthly rates.
One example is a project that is already underway in the USA. With “Charging-as-a-Service” (CaaS), DTFS, in cooperation with Electrada, an expert in charging infrastructure, offers a complete package from advice and vehicle financing to the installation of charging stations and an integrated electricity tariff. A CaaS pilot project with the freight forwarder Salem Carriers has started, and more are being planned. In Japan, DTFS offers the “Green Lease” product for the electric FUSO eCanter. The Japanese freight forwarder Yamato has ordered a total of 900 FUSO eCanters with “Green Lease” from DTFS. The complete package consists of the vehicle, a maintenance contract and special warranties. In Europe, DTFS' Service Leasing Packages offer flexible leasing options in some markets that integrate service and repairs. In addition, charging stations can also be financed via the new “TruckCharge” brand. For zero-emission vehicles, DTFS therefore expects a further increase in the proportion of complete packages.
To cover the special requirements of electric vehicles, DTFS brokers insurance products that cover various aspects from conventional insurance to electromobility. The company also offers rental offers in some countries, including zero-emission vehicles for short and long-term rental. This allows companies to mitigate order fluctuations and experience the benefits of electric trucks without having to make an immediate purchase decision. Further markets are in preparation. In the area of payment, DTFS has developed its own solution, which is already being used on online marketplaces in Australia, Japan and South Africa. Projects in the USA and Europe are in the starting blocks.
Daimler Truck Financial Services was launched in December 2021 as part of the Daimler Truck Group and is currently active in 17 countries worldwide. In the coming months, the start of the business in other countries is planned. The company, with around 1,900 employees, is one of the world's largest Group-owned financial service providers in the commercial vehicle segment and offers leasing, financing and insurance for trucks and buses from the Daimler Group. At the end of 2023, the DTFS contract volume was 28.3 billion euros.