Beijing Benz rolls out 25,000th car

Shanghai. October 24 (Gasgoo.com) Beijing Benz-DaimlerChrysler Automotive Co., Ltd. (BBDC) yesterday announced its 25,000th car, a C-Class sedan rolling off line at its manufacturing facility in Beijing, according to a Xinhua report.

The company commenced production in 2005. The China-made Benz C-class cars hit the market in the country on March 15 this year and the output has reached 1,000 units so far.

Speaking at the celebrating event, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she is impressed with the progress the joint venture has made in less than a decade and she is confident about the company’s future.

Daimler announced Wednesday that its sales in China in the first three quarters of this year surged 54% year-on-year to 32,375 passenger cars and company officials still see China as an important growth market that is faring relatively well amid the global economic downturn.

Recent months have seen auto sales in China slowing down, but analysts say demand for some high-end brands and models remains strong.

Daimler also plans to introduce the Smart Fortwo car to China in April 2009. The Smart will be sold at a price ranging from 160,000 yuan ($23,460) to 200,000 yuan per unit.