DaimlerChrysler Middle East has beaten its 2002 sales targets of just over 23,000 Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles. Last year also saw positive regional bus sale successes with over 550 units sold regionally. This year DaimlerChrysler Middle East already has firm orders for over 900 units.
“In 2002, we more than held our own in a difficult market and are five percent over our target,” said President and CEO of DaimlerChrysler Middle East Per V. Rasmussen. “This has been helped by significant successes in our commercial vehicles division with sales up 11.6 percent to 5,044 from 4,520 and record parts sales of $173,294, up significantly from $115 million in 2001.”
Sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars were down from a 2001 sales figure of 12,800 to 11,345. “This figure is slightly above target because we knew we would be affected by a lack of supply of segment-leading S-Class, E-Class and M-Class vehicles,” said Rasmussen.
Regionally, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait continued to perform above their targets with sales in Kuwait up to 1,549 from 1,466 in 2001. Rasmussen said 2003 promised to be a challenging year particularly with tension in the region and the euro-dollar exchange rate. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
