The car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz could gradually reduce its stake in the truck manufacturer Daimler Truck.

Mercedes currently holds around 30 percent of Daimler Truck, which could be sold at the earliest after the end of a holding period of 36 months since the partial IPO, i.e. at the end of this year, explained CFO Harald Wilhelm at the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday. "A potential sale is a possible option," he added. However, no decision has yet been made on this.

In response to questions from shareholders about the recent weakness of business in China, CEO Ola Källenius said that China was and would remain the most important market for Mercedes-Benz. The brand with the three-pointed star wants to maintain its strong position in the luxury segment. Although India is showing growth - Mercedes sales had increased by ten percent to 17,400 vehicles in 2023 - the sales volume there will remain significantly below that of the major markets of the USA and China for the foreseeable future.

(Report by Ilona Wissenbach, edited by Ralf Banser. If you have any queries, please contact the editorial team at frankfurt.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com)