Trucks power profits at DaimlerChrysler

STUTTGART, Germany (Jan. 18) — Freightliner Corp. parent DaimlerChrysler AG said profit in its commercial vehicles unit more than tripled during 1998 on $27.6 billion in sales worldwide.

Strong demand in the U.S. and Europe led to record sales, the company said.

Sales of DaimlerChrylser commercial vehicles rose 17% to $27.6 billion last year from $23.5 billion in 1997. The company did not release the amount of profit it earned.

DaimlerChrysler commercial vehicles sold in North America centre on the Freightliner and Sterling lines of heavy-duty and medium-duty trucks. The Sterling brand, introduced last year, emerged from the acquisition of Ford Motor Co.Õs heavy-duty line in 1997.