Continued strong demand from Russia and Eastern Europe has propelled sales at trailer manufacturer Schmitz CargoBull to a new record. Preliminary figures for the financial year 2007/08 show it sold more than 66,500 vehicles, a 30% increase on the previous year. Turnover was up 27% to E2.14bn (£1.69bn) for the same period, another record. High consumption and new production facilities in the new EU countries of Central and Eastern Europe have been key drivers in this expansion, says the company.
Russia's economy and that of the bordering former Soviet republics are growing rapidly, not least thanks to very high oil and gas-based income. It is now targeting annual production of 100,000, turn-over of more than €3bn and increased exports. "We hope to use the IAA show in Hanover in September as a platform to further increase our market share on the international stage," says Ulrich Schöpker, sales director. The company believes it can attain the high market share it has in the German market elsewhere.
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