Global sales at DaimlerChrysler’s flagship Mercedes Car Group rose 3% in October to 105,200 units, the carmaker said.
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Reuters reported it was only the second month this year that sales rose year on year – the division’s global sales fell 3.5% in the first 10 months of 2004 to 977,700 units.
Earlier, archrival BMW reported 10-month group car sales rose 8.8% to 989,197 units, swelled by the rollout of successful new models this year, the news agency noted, adding that sales of Mercedes-Benz brand cars alone fell 2% in October to 90,000 units.
Reuters said DaimlerChrysler has forecast slight 2004 unit sales growth at the premium car division despite disruptions from model changeovers this year that will spruce up its model line-up and fuel future growth.
Mercedes reportedly expects a sales boost from its revamped A-class car, which arrived in dealer showrooms in mid-September, and initial orders for the compact car have been strong.
Daimler also hopes the re-launch of the Mercedes-Benz C-class sedans, SLK roadsters and the new Smart ForFour compact – the brand’s largest car to date – will help spur sales at its most lucrative business, which last month scaled down its outlook to see “substantially lower” 2004 operating profit, Reuters added.
The automaker has said profits would be hit by a changed model mix, the cost of new launches, adverse currency influences and stepped-up spending to fix quality problems that have tarnished its image, the report added.
