German car maker Daimler AG (DAI.XE) said Friday the Mercedes-Benz brand is likely to hit a new production record in 2012, increasing output to keep up with demand.

MAIN FACTS:

-In 2012, Mercedes-Benz has operated at high capacity, to sell a record 1.19 million cars in the first eleven months of the year.

-Around 3 billion euros ($3.93 billion) were invested in four German plants in 2012.

-Together with its Chinese partner BAIC, Daimler plans to invest around EUR2 billion over several years to increase production at its Beijing location.

-Over the next years, the company is investing around $2.4 billion in the Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant.

-Daimler's A-Class, B-Class and M-Class models drove demand this year.

-Increased demand led to three-shift operations at the Rastatt, Germany and Tuscaloosa, Alabama plants as well as special shifts at the Powertrain production network.

-A new plant was opened in Kecskemet, Hungary employing 3,000 people.

 
-Frankfurt Bureau, Dow Jones Newswires; 49-69-29725-500