Mercedes Targets Sales in China to Catch Audi, BMW

The head Mercedes-Benz operations in China says the brand must grow much faster in the country to achieve its goal of becoming the world's best-selling luxury marque by 2020.

Hubertus Troska tells reporters that past distribution problems hurt Daimler's ability to match the sales performance of its German luxury car rivals in China. Last year BMW and Audi sales were respectively 59% and more than double those of Mercedes.

Mercedes deliveries in China this year are projected to climb 30% to 295,000 units. Troska says sales will easily surpass 300,000 vehicles in 2015.

Globally, BMW appears likely to outsell its German rivals for the 10th consecutive year in 2014. But Reuters notes the company's lead over Audi has dwindled to only 43,000 vehicles in January-November. Mercedes trails by about 100,000 units.