Mercedes car sales in China to rise in 2011

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BEIJING, April 11 (Reuters): Sales of Mercedes cars in China will likely rise about 20 per cent this year, a senior Daimler AG executive said Monday. Ulrich Walker, chairman and CEO for Daimler Northeast Asia , gave the outlook in comments to reporters in Beijing. Earlier, he said China sales of Mercedes cars in the first quarter rose 86 per cent from a year ago. Daimler makes Mercedes-Benz E-Class and C-Class cars in a tie-up with Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings Co (BAIC). It may add Mercedes-Benz A-Class and B-Class models to the portfolio. Walker also said Daimler will launch an electric vehicle in China in 2013 in conjunction with BYD Co Ltd but did not provide further details.