Mercedes, Volkswagen, and Volvo post upbeat sales amid the Covid-19 storm   

Mercedes-Benz deliveries in China, the brand’s largest market, climbed to a record in the second quarter, and global retail sales of its cars edged higher in June. Pictured: Mercedes-Benz GLB File picture.

European car and truck makers delivered unexpectedly upbeat sales news amid the Covid-19 crisis as Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler said demand had recovered more quickly than once thought in China, its most important market, while VW also said its sales in China were recovering, and Volvo trucks posted better-than-expected earnings.                  

Daimler said a late-quarter recovery in demand spared the Mercedes-Benz maker from losing as much money as analysts were expecting.