Mercedes-Benz Outlines Future Plans, Says Next S-Class with Have Six Derivatives

After posting new records for vehicle sales, revenue and earnings in 2011 and with 2012 off to a good start as the company is expected to report its best sales ever in a first quarter, Mercedes-Benz has every reason to be optimistic about the future, despite some hiccups such as the axing of the Maybach brand.

During the opening ceremony of a new plant in Kecskemét, Hungary, Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, outlined the company’s 2020 growth strategy.

Zetsche said that the Mercedes-Benz cars division intends to conquer the number one position in the premium segment not only in terms of brand, products and profitability, but also of vehicle sales.

Overall, worldwide car sales are forecasted to increase from 60 million units in 2011 to 100 million units in 2020. According to Zetsche, Mercedes-Benz's medium-term target target is to lift sales from 1,279,100 in 2011, to more than 1.5 million vehicles in 2014 and more than 1.6 million in 2015.

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