DESPITE reports of "negative growth" in 2005, DaimlerChrysler South Africa yesterday claimed that the company was set to post record results - surpassing its 2004 turnover of R24,7 billion.

In a statement yesterday, the company announced that it would call a press conference in March at which "the figures for 2005 will be provided".

The statement added that: "Local vehicle sales of DaimlerChrysler's various passenger car brands, 4x4s, commercial vehicles, buses and vans have been exceptional in 2005."

Total production of the company's flagship C-Class Mercedes-Benz cars and Mitsubishi Colts produced at DCSA's East London plant last year ran to well over 50000 units, the statement said.

This is, however, contrary to company's spokesperson Annelise van der Laan's announcement on Tuesday that production of the C-Class last year dropped by 2581 units to 41408, from the 43989 which came off the production line in 2004.

Overall sales figures increased from 11816 cars in 2004 to 12779 last year, with well over 70 percent of production exported to right-hand drive markets.

Likewise, Mitsubishi sales rose from 6843 units in 2004 to 7566 last year.

In another related development, the Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa yesterday said it had no intentions of retrenching hundreds of its workers.

General manager for communications Ben Pillay also dismissed claims by the National Union of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa of large-scale retrenchments at the company's South African plants.

Pillay said the company employed approximately 4600 people, and at present there are no retrenchment plans.