Daimler optimistic on outlook without Chrysler

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2007

BERLIN (AFP) — The German-US auto giant DaimlerChrysler is confident the next few years will be positive now that it is getting rid of its loss-making US arm, Chrysler, chief executive Dieter Zetsche said in a newspaper interview published on Monday.

"I'm sure how we're going to develop and we'll issue a statement on that this year. The next few years are going to be good," Zetsche told the Berlin-based regional daily Tagesspiegel.

The sale of Chrysler to US private equity group Cerberus for 5.5 billion euros (7.4 billion dollars) meant that Daimler "now has a very good perspective for the future," the CEO said.

In terms of models, the car maker, which is to be renamed Daimler before the end of the year, is planning to launch a small sports utility vehicle...