EAST LONDON-BASED DaimlerChrysler South Africa has announced a turnover of R13,9 billion for 2001. This is 64 per cent up on 2000. DaimlerChrysler South Africa chairman and CEO Christoph Köpke indicated that the group had reached all but one target it had set. The areas that had proved most successful were manufacture and passenger car sales. Customer satisfaction had improved over the previous year, but still remained lower than the goals the company had set itself. "Customer satisfaction is the key to a successful enterprise and we will continue our efforts unabated to further improve in that area," said Köpke. DCSA expects its operation in South Africa to experience further growth and increased efficiencies in its manufacturing and marketing activities regionally. Köpke’s forecast for 2002 included a projected turnover reduced to R16,2-billion with cost-containment and productivity “absolutely critical”. “We have to get our factory on to a world-class cost basis, come what may. Our shareholders will not invest unless we become world-class,” he said. The company’s various brands - Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler, Jeep and Mitsubishi - collectively posted record retail sales of 36 784 units. Biggest Mercedes-Benz seller was the new C-Class (W203), which broke all previous sales record for the brand. Imported models which have done well on the South African market, include the M, S, E and A-Class, together with the special models such as SL, CL, SLK and CLK. Sales of the company’s youngest brands Chrysler and Jeep again exceeded expectations. The American brands were integrated into the company at the end of 1999. The Mitsubishi Colt one-ton pick-up range has been part of the company’s offering since 1994 has secured good returns for the group. This year DCSA plans to introduce a host of new products. Mercedes franchises will get the new CLK, E-Class, S320 CDI, SL Roadster, E55 AMG, SL55 AMG Kompressor, S55 AMG Kompressor and CL55 AMG. Chrysler is bringing the new PT “Street” Cruiser. Jeep will offer the 2,7 and 4,7 Cherokee diesel, the Wrangler Sahara and the Cherokee Renegade.