Daimler Ponders Production in Russia

Daimler AG says it is studying the idea of building Mercedes-Benz cars in Russia but set no timetable for deciding.

Russia's Vedomosti newspaper reports the company has been meeting with several undisclosed partners in the would-be carmaking venture.

Last year Daimler sold 44,400 cars and light commercial vehicles in Russia, up 19% from 2012, according to Moscow-Based Assn. for European Businesses. The group reports that Daimler sales in the first two months of 2014 jumped 26% to 6,200 units. In both cases, Mercedes outsold rival BMW.

Daimler has an existing partnership with OAO GAZ to build Mercedes Sprinter vans in Russia. The company also makes Fuso Canter commercial trucks and Setra buses through ventures with KamAZ, Russia's largest truckmaker. Daimler holds a 15% stake in KamAZ and has an option to acquire another 10% from investment bank Troika Dialog.