Daimler aims to outsell BMW in China this year

Daimler AG, the world's second-largest auto maker, aims to outperform rival BMW in terms of vehicle sales in China this year or next year, said Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche at the Beijing Auto Show, Reuters reported.

Daimler will sell products specially for the Chinese market, including an electric car to be developed with Chinese partner BYD Co and a long wheelbase version of its Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Daimler has been competing with BMW globally. The latter recently said it aims to produce 300,000 vehicles per year and to sell 100,000 units per year in China.

China is expected to overtake the U.S. as BMW's third-largest market this year.