Mercedes Benz has gained much ground on China market this year although it has lost the championship to BMW for the sales of luxury sedans on the world market.

From Jan. to Nov. this year, 14,132 units of Mercedes Benz were sold in Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, up 31 percent over the same period of last year. Its sales rose 5 percent in Taiwan.

Chrysler, another major brand under DaimlerChrysler, also scored a good mark in China. It sold 28,548 units in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, a year-on-year increase of 5 percent. That is believed to result from the whopping surge of 1,270 percent for Chrystler300C after it was introduced to the market in 2004.

DaimlerChrysler also offers sedans and business vehicles under the brands of Maybach, Chrysler, and Jeep. The automaker plans to invest 1.5 billion euros in the Chinese mainland on its production facilities, including those for Mercedes-Benz sedans and light commercial vehicles, and trucks. The money will also be spent on relocating Beijing Jeep Corporation, a joint venture between DaimlerChrysler and its local partner Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Company (BAIC).

By People's Daily Online