Daimler to Lower Sales Incentives, Raise Prices

Daimler AG CEO Dieter Zetsche tells analysts the company will reduce sales incentives on some Mercedes-Benz models and raise prices on others to match growing global demand, Bloomberg News reports.

The company notes that deliveries since October of its redesigned Mercedes S-Class luxury sedan are up 43%, and sales of its small cars have climbed 44%.

Demand has been especially strong for the all-new CLA sport sedan Mercedes introduced last autumn. The unit will add the GLA small crossover and a revamped C-Class midsize sedan later this year.

Daimler plans to introduce 30 new or updated models by the end of the decade in a bid to displace BMW AG as the world's largest seller of luxury cars. Last year worldwide sales by BMW and Mercedes brands totaled 1.66 million and 1.46 million, respectively.