DaimlerChrysler posts record truck sales in '06

FRANKFURT (Reuters) -- DaimlerChrysler boosted global truck sales 1.4 percent in 2006 to a record 537,000 units, the world's biggest truckmaker said today, reiterating that it expected a market slowdown this year."As a result of cyclical and regulatory developments, we expect the markets in NAFTA and Japan to weaken significantly in 2007, while we anticipate that the demand in the European markets will contract only slightly," trucks division chief Andreas Renschler said in a statement.

"But because we are focused on our core business and provide our customers excellent products and services, we are well equipped to handle this challenge. In addition, we expect the markets to recover in 2008 because new emissions regulations will probably lead to pre-buy effects," he added.

Sales of Mercedes-Benz brand trucks in Europe and Latin America fell 4 percent in 2006 to 142,100 units amid weakness in the Middle East and Brazil, but sales of its flagship Actros model firmed to 59,700 units from 59,500 in 2005, it said.

Sales in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) area advanced 2.8 percent to 208,300 units.

Sales in Asia by the Mitsubishi Fuso brand increased 4.3 percent to 186,600 units, thanks in part to buying in Japan before tougher emissions standards take effect.

"Although sales outside of Japan decreased, the decrease was the result of a decline in Fuso's largest export market, Indonesia," it said.