Key R&D figures

The Automotive Division’s total research and development costs were up 3.8% year-on-year in the reporting period. Along with the new models, the main focus was on the electrification of our vehicle portfolio, a more efficient range of engines, lightweight construction, digitalization and the development of toolkits. The capitalization ratio rose to 36.9 (35.1)%. Research and development costs recognized in the income statement in accordance with IFRSs increased to €11.9 (11.5) billion. This meant that their ratio to sales revenue in the Automotive Division amounted to 6.4 (6.5)%.

As of the end of 2015, the Research and Development function – including the equity-accounted Chinese joint ventures – employed 48,731 people Group-wide (+6.5%), corresponding to 8.0% of the total headcount.