Record Mercedes sales help to lift Daimler expectations

German luxury car manufacturer Daimler has raised its forecasts, predicting a significant rise in operating profit this year after a surge in sales of Mercedes-Benz luxury cars and sports utility vehicles, boosted by the launch of new models.

Daimler said it now expected significant growth in volume sales, revenue and group earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) this year after its first-quarter net profit doubled to €2.8bn.

“We are very confident for the remainder of the year to achieve our financial as well as our strategic goals,” Daimler’s chief financial officer Bodo Uebber said.