The number of outlets of Mercedes Benz, a German auto giant, is to reach 60 in China by the end of the year, with six in the Chinese capital, the Beijing Daily reported on Wednesday.

Each Mercedes Benz outlet requires investment of about US$ one to five million, the Mercedes Benz Company in China told the newspaper.

Over 1,000 Chinese car dealers have applied for permission to sell Mercedes Benz cars, though so far less than 10 percent have succeeded, the newspaper said.

The renowned car company plans to establish 100 outlets across the country by 2007, and 150 outlets by 2010.

Local production of Mercedes-Benz E- and C- Class sedans at a new joint venture of DaimlerChrysler and the Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Company has begun from mid-2005. Both imported and Chinese-made Benz cars will be sold in those outlets in the future, the newspaper said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2005)