Worst behind us, says Daimler CEO

The relaunch of Daimler's key E-Class luxury sedan has supported earnings in the second quarter and bolstered the carmaker's optimism that the worst is finally behind it, its chief executive told a German newspaper.

"From today's perspective, not only will we not experience any more negative surprises in terms of the whole year, rather we could even have the chance to develop positively," Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche told Sunday paper Welt am Sonntag.

Although the bottom has likely been reached, the Daimler CEO warned that demand will stabilise at a low level this year with a very gradual recovery beginning in 2010 for certain markets and segments. "One should not expect that in one year markets will be at the level of 2007," Zetsche said in the interview, published in full length yesterday.

The Daimler CEO added that he still considered it likely that talks to deepen ties with arch-rival BMW would eventually lead to results the two could present to markets. "That requires finished agreements and we are not there yet," Zetsche said.

Unlike fellow Stuttgart-based carmaker Porsche, in which Daimler was reportedly interested in buying a stake, Daimler is not looking for government handouts.

"We do not plan to apply for state aid," he said.

Zetsche also denied media reports that he was looking to acquire a stake in Porsche.

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