Mercedes-Benz Cars group sales up 6.5% in June

Reuters (Frankfurt) - Premium carmaker Mercedes-Benz is hoping to achieve a sales record this year after a strong June, a sign that Germany's automotive industry is still running on full steam.

"The first half of the year went very well for Mercedes-Benz...We're on the right track," Joachim Schmidt, Marketing Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars division, said on Tuesday.

"This year we have our sights set on achieving an all-time sales record by selling more than 1.3 million Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and smart fortwo," he added.

Auto importers' association VDIK said on Monday 10 percent more cars were registered last month than a year earlier, underscoring the strength of the auto market in Germany as the economy expands.

German car association VDA also confirmed its forecast of 3.1 million new car registrations for this year, up from 2.92 million last year.

Mercedes-Benz Cars group sold 6.5 percent more cars in June, driven largely by sales of Mercedes-Benz brand cars, which rose 6.4 percent to 120,510.

It said sales of the smart brand were at 10,314, or up 7.9 percent.