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Post Number: 37
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| | Posted on Saturday, January 22, 2005 - 3:49 pm: |       |
Truck Sales Boom for DaimlerChrysler in Australia
DaimlerChrysler commercial vehicle sales hit an all time high in 2004, according to industry sales data released this week.
Particularly strong sales growth of the company’s heavy commercial vehicle range, which consists of the Sterling, Freightliner and Mercedes-Benz brands, pushed DaimlerChrysler to its record total result of 6,406 commercial vehicles, up 9.6 per cent on the previous year (2003: 5,844).
The strong year of heavy commercial vehicle sales for DaimlerChrysler was driven by a product portfolio matching customer needs and business applications that draws from three strong brands with distinct identities and strengths as well as significant market coverage.
Sales of the rugged Sterling truck range grew by a staggering 47.5 per cent, double the industry average, to a 2004 total of 453 units, appealing particularly to construction and vocational operators.
Freightliner increased its sales volume of long-haul, line-haul and specialist trucks by over 30 per cent, with 887 units delivered to customers in 2004. The introduction of the new Columbia and Century Class during the year contributed to Freightliner’s increasing appeal in the marketplace.
The Mercedes-Benz Actros recorded an impressive 299 sales in what was the first full year of the high-tech new Actros in Australia. The record result eclipsed the previous year’s sales by 45 per cent, thanks mainly to the strong acceptance by metropolitan fleets. The technological leadership of the Mercedes-Benz Actros was highlighted when it won the International Truck of the Year 2004.
Mercedes-Benz Bus & Coach sales increased by 96.9 per cent in 2004, taking the total to 251 units, including the delivery of three zero-emission fuel cell buses to the West Australian government as part of a worldwide DaimlerChrysler fuel cell trial.
Mercedes-Benz light commercial vehicles recorded increases of 22 per cent and 8.1 per cent for the new Mercedes-Benz Vito and Sprinter respectively, taking them to 1,658 and 1,982 units.
“The record result in 2004 for our commercial vehicle range is testament to the strength of our dealer and service network across the country and a product range that is more relevant than ever to successful business operators,” said Ken Matthews, Managing Director Commercial Vehicles, DaimlerChrysler Australia/Pacific. |
