DaimlerChrysler realigns truck financing unit

DaimlerChrysler AG, the world's largest truckmaker, said the company's U.S. truck-financing unit is being split into four regions in an effort to improve service to Freightliner, Sterling and Western Star dealers, according to a report today by Bloomberg News.

DaimlerChrysler Truck Financial will form Eastern, Central, Southern and Western regions.

DaimlerChrysler Truck Financial also is forming a new small business credit department, the statement said. The unit will handle fleets of 11 or fewer trucks that have a $500,000 credit line with the financial unit.

The heavy-truck division was the Stuttgart, Germany, company's second-most profitable unit last year, after the Mercedes Car Group. DaimlerChrysler said in February it expects truck sales to fall this year following a 2006 sales surge prompted by buyers who sped up their purchases before tougher emission regulations took effect.