DaimlerChrysler Mid East '05 sales hit new record

Revenues increased by 23.6% to Euro 1.469 billion compared to Euro 1.188 billion in the previous year.

The Mercedes Car Group (Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, Maybach and SLR McLaren), sold a record 15,396 vehicles in 2005, a 25% increase over the previous year's figure of 12,335.

The UAE was the biggest market with Mercedes Car Group distributors recording sales of 6,613, and Dubai up 29.6 % from 3,089 to a record 4,004. In Saudi Arabia sales grew by 21 % to 2,102, increased 16.7% in Bahrain and nearly doubled in Qatar. Jordan recorded the highest Levant increase with sales up 37.2% to 852 units.

"Our success across the region and our sustained leadership in the premium passenger car segment was supported by a new product offensive and the continuing development of our distributor network," said Nicholas Speeks, President and CEO, DaimlerChrysler Middle East.

"The introduction of the all-new ML-Class was extremely positive while last September's launch of the new S-Class was a tremendous success with 3,700 units sold to the end of December underlining again the sovereignity of the S-Class at the peak of automotive experience."

Demand for Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles was steady with the Actros II and the range of medium sized trucks and vans very popular. Although commercial vehicle deliveries were slightly down by 4.7 % to 8,257 compared to 8,667 units in 2004, revenues were up from Euro 448,979 to Euro 451,896.

Sales of Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge vehicles showed a 6.4% improvement over 2004. In 2005 they rose to 7,543 from 7,083 helped by the introduction of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee across the region. The award-winning Chrysler 300C continued to show strong sales demand.

Annual sales of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles and trucks rose to 2,131 in the UAE with Trading Enterprises recording a healthy 14.4 % increase from 1,545 to 1,767 while sales in the brands' largest market, Saudi Arabia, rose by 6.6 % from 2,171 to 2,313.

"I am excited about the future of our Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands as this year will see the introduction of a firework of new products increasing, over the next two years, the range of vehicles available in our showrooms to 22 individual model ranges," said Speeks.

After-Sales continued to expand in 2005 following the successful integration of MOPAR® brand parts for Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles into the regional logistics centre in Jebel Ali, Dubai. Revenues were up 10.3% to Euro 161.327 million compared to Euro146.251 million in 2004.

Although 2005 was a tough year, Mr. Speeks said DaimlerChrysler and its regional partners once again displayed the qualities which make DaimlerChrysler brands the most aspirational and successful in their markets.

"There will be no slow down of new model introductions in 2006 across all our brands," he added. "We will continue to leverage the special relationship we have with our general distributors and maintain our market leadership with exciting new products new facilities and new programs."