DaimlerChrysler, Volkswagen Boost Sales on Exports, New Models

Jan. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Volkswagen AG and DaimlerChrysler AG, the world's fourth- and fifth-largest carmakers, reported increases in worldwide car sales last year as they won customers after introducing new models such as the Mercedes-Benz R-Class and a revamped version of the Volkswagen Passat.

DaimlerChrysler sales rose 3.8 percent to 4.05 million units, as Chrysler sales gained 4.7 percent to 2.83 million vehicles and Mercedes Car Group sales increased 1.7 percent to 1.22 million units. Wolfsburg, Germany-based Volkswagen sold 5.34 million units, a 3.2 percent increase.

German carmakers are benefiting from exports to regions such as the U.S. and Asia, as well as Europe. Mercedes introduced a new S-Class sedan and M-Class sport-utility vehicle last year to win new customers, especially in the U.S., while Volkswagen sold more cars in its domestic German market and elsewhere in Western Europe.

``Our young and attractive product portfolio provides a solid foundation for sustainable profitable growth in the future,'' DaimlerChrysler Chief Executive Officer Dieter Zetsche said in an e-mailed statement today.

Mercedes-Benz's December sales climbed 10 percent to 116,100 vehicles. Full-year sales for the German brand rose 1.6 percent to 1.08 million cars and light trucks.

Stuttgart, Germany-based DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes-Benz brand is introducing new models in an effort to regain the No. 1 ranking in luxury car sales that it lost to Bayerische Motoren Werke AG in March. Chrysler, in contrast to larger U.S. rivals General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co., has been able to win back U.S. market share for the past two years.

Overseas Expansion

Chrysler is also expanding out of its domestic market. International sales, which grew 9 percent last year, rose faster than domestic sales. The company sold 180,088 vehicles outside North America last year, especially in Italy, China and Germany.

Wolfgang Bernhard, who was named chief executive officer of the Volkswagen brand last year, plans to improve quality and introduce new models to bolster U.S. sales after helping turn around Chrysler. Volkswagen's U.S. sales gained 19 percent in December.

Volkswagen introduced new versions of its Jetta and Passat models over the past year. Aging models have led to losses at the company's U.S. operations.

DaimlerChrysler shares rose less than 0.1 percent to 44.08 euros in Frankfurt trading on Jan. 6. Volkswagen shares rose 14 cents, or 0.3 percent, to 45.35 euros.

Da bloomberg.

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