DaimlerChrysler and other carmakers are facing tougher times
|
US-German carmaker DaimlerChrysler has sold 2.1% more cars in 2004 than in the previous year, as solid Chrysler sales offset a weak showing for Mercedes.
Sales totalled 3.9 million units worldwide during 2004, the company said at the Detroit Motor Show.
A switch to new models hit luxury marque Mercedes-Benz, with sales down 3.1% at 1.06 million.
Chrysler avoided the fate of US rivals Ford and General Motors, both of whom lost ground to Japanese firms.
Its sales rose 3.5% to 2.7 million units.
Smart future?
Similarly on the up was the Smart brand of compact cars, with the division's sales jumping by 21.1% during 2004 to 136,000.
The future of the brand - which is controlled by the Mercedes group within DaimlerChrysler - remains in question, however.
Smart has consistently lost money since it started trading in 1998, and new model launches are now "on hold", said Mercedes chief executive Eckhard Cordes.
Home
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~59~RS~)
BBC NEWS CHANNEL
News services
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
