Mercedes-Benz sales go down

Sales of Daimler's flagship brand Mercedes-Benz declined by 5.4 per cent in 2008, the company said yesterday. The reason could be well be the  collapse in global car markets in the final quarter of last year.

In December the sales fell to 1.12 million vehicles throughout the year, putting it closer and closer to smaller rival Audi of Volkswagen.

Daimler is expecting the demand to boost at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week, where it will introduce the popular E-Class full-sized saloon.

However, Daimler's diminutive, low-emission Smart brand increased its volumes by 34 percent to 134,800 units in 2008 thanks to a strong debut in the United States.

Sales at Daimler's ultra-luxury Maybach marque fell to 300 cars last year from about 400 in 2007, the company added.