Mercedes-Benz sales race ahead on China, US demand
By DPA, IANSFriday, January 7, 2011
STUTTGART - Luxury German carmaker Mercedes-Benz said Friday its sales last year jumped by 15.3 percent on the back of strong demand from China and the US.
The year-on-year increase to 1.16 million cars in 2010 helped Mercedes’ parent company Daimler AG to beat its forecast of a 10-percent rise.
“Last year was a complete success for us,” said Daimler chief Dieter Zetsche. “We have grown stronger as the world-wide market for passenger cars and as a result can win market share.”
Friday’s data adds to evidence of the strong rebound in the global premium car sector after the auto business was plunged into crisis in 2009 as a result of the economic recession.
Along with Mercedes, Daimler’s stable of cars include the compact urban Smart car as well as the super luxurious Maybach. Daimler car sales totalled 1.26 million in 2010, which represented a rise of 12 percent over the previous year.
