* Daimler lowers 2016 trucks outlook on weak markets
* To take about 500 mln euro charge for airbag recall
* Says still sees slightly higher 2016 EBIT
(Adds market reaction, analysts' comments)
FRANKFURT, May 20 (Reuters) - Daimler DAIGn.DE cut its
profit forecast for its trucks division due to slumping sales in
the United States and Brazil, sparking analyst concerns over its
ability to read the market.
Daimler Trucks said late on Thursday it expected earnings
before interest and taxes (EBIT) from continued operations and
unit sales to fall significantly in 2016.
It had previously expected EBIT from ongoing operations to
remain steady at 2015 levels and unit sales to fall slightly.
"Daimler has finally decided to change its unrealistic
guidance for trucks, which has not done any good to improve
credibility over the last few months," Citi analyst Michael
Tyndall said in a note on Friday.
Daimler Trucks accounted for about a fifth of group EBIT and
about a quarter of total sales last year.
The North American heavy-duty trucks segment has cooled
after a plunge in oil prices and metals-related business put a
damper on industrial activity and haulage volumes prompting
rival like Volvo to warn investors about a downturn.
"Daimler's warning will no doubt also revive unwelcome
memories of past mistakes and credibility concerns," Exane BNP
analyst Stuart Pearson (LON:PSON) said. "Unfortunately it is hard to deny
that Daimler now has something of a track record of failing to
read the cycle."
Daimler also said it would step up job cuts at its trucks
division in Brazil, which is expected to result in 100 million
euros ($112 million) of extra costs for voluntary severance
packages.
Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) analysts said Daimler's revised guidance
"leaves room for a positive surprise should end markets
improve".
Shares in Daimler were flat at 57.41 euros by 0734 GMT,
underperforming the blue-chip DAX index's .GDAXI 1.1 percent
rise by and a 0.7 percent firmer autos sector index .SXAP .
Separately, Daimler said it was setting aside about 500
million euros in provisions this year for a precautionary recall
of vehicles in the United States and Canada, which contain
airbags made by Takata Corp 7312.T .
A Daimler spokeswoman said the recall would involve 200,000
cars over the period May 2016 until December 2019.
Daimler said neither the lower outlook for its trucks
division nor the recall would affect its forecast for a slight
rise in 2016 group EBIT from last year.
($1 = 0.8929 euros)