German Auto Giants October 2003 Scorecard

FRANKFURT, Nov 7, 2003; Reuters reported that German automaker DaimlerChrysler said on Friday sales of its Mercedes and small Smart cars slipped slightly in October while arch rival BMW reported a sharp rise in sales.

Sales of luxury Mercedes cars and smart cars totalled 107,700 units in October, down almost one percent from a year ago. That brings sales for the year so far to 1.02 million, down about two percent. Sales of the high-margin Mercedes brand were down 0.7 percent at 96,400 units last month, the company said in a statement.

Meanwhile, arch rival BMW said group unit sales rose 10.3 percent in October to 94,120 vehicles, boosted by demand for its newly relaunched 5-series saloon.

Sales of its core BMW brand were up 13.6 percent from a year ago at 79,680 cars while sales of the small Mini hatchback dropped five percent.

DaimlerChrysler shares were up 2.14 percent at 1141 GMT, with BMW up 3.15 percent, both outperforming their European rivals.

BMW expects sales momentum will be stronger next year and also expects higher sales of all its brands in the full-year 2003. The Munich-based group posted its first quarterly profit rise of the year on Thursday and said an expected recovery in the second half was starting to materialise.

Mercedes, the earnings motor at DaimlerChrysler, expects flat sales and profits this year and expects a significant recovery in sales only from 2005 once it has launched its new A-Class and M-Class families.