Strong Chinese demand buoys sales for Daimler. (picture alliance / dpa)
Strong demand on the Chinese market has given a boost to Daimler's first quarter sales while the domestic German market still struggles, the automaker said on Wednesday.
Worldwide deliveries of Mercedes-Benz cars, one of Daimler's core brands, climbed by 20 percent to 581,270 vehicles in the first quarter of this year, compared to the same period last year, according to the statement.
The brand Smart also sold more cars, an increase of two thirds to 9,729.
Sales of Mercedes-Benz to China increased by 60 percent, as business there recovered after a coronavirus-induced slump last year. A record 222,520 vehicles were sold on the Chinese market in the first quarter.
In the United States, Daimler also sold more Mercedes-Benz cars, an increase of 15.5 percent.
Meanwhile, in Germany sales declined by 15.4 percent, though overall sales in Europe increased by 1.8 percent compared to the first quarter of 2020, according to the statement.
In spring 2020, the automotive market suffered in most countries due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Daimler still overwhelmingly sold fossil fuels motors, with e-vehicles only constituting 2.8 percent of sales, or 10 percent including hybrid models.
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