Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz expects to see growth of up to 15
percent in China's luxury car segment this year, a senior executive said, and
is trying to grab a bigger share of that market by expanding into the
inland-west and smaller cities.
The company plans to open 75 new dealer outlets this year,
nearly half in third- and fourth-tier cities, said China sales head Nicholas
Speeks, as part of a broader turnaround plan to reverse its recent struggles in
the world's biggest auto market.
"We are a little bit lagging behind our principal
competitors in terms of outlets opening," Speeks told reporters at a news
briefing to outline the German brand's strategy at the Chengdu auto show on
Friday.