FRANKFURT — Daimler is making ready a inventory market itemizing of its vans division, German enterprise newspaper Handelsblatt reported, citing firm sources.

The unit might be floated on the finish of 2021, the sources mentioned, including that division head Martin Daum is more likely to get an early extension of his contract by three years as a part of the plans.

Hypothesis of a vans itemizing has flared up frequently ever since Daimler initiated steps to kind impartial subsidiaries beneath its roof, ultimately making it simpler to spin them off and checklist them within the medium time period.

“The opportunity of such a transfer was already recognized,” a neighborhood dealer mentioned, including that whereas the information was optimistic for shares, a list of the division on the finish of subsequent yr was nonetheless a protracted method to go.

A Daimler spokesman declined to remark.

A potential itemizing of Daimler’s truck division would come after rival Volkswagen final yr floated its Traton vans unit to place the enterprise on an impartial footing.