FRANKFURT: Daimler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche would welcome additional investors from China, though he told a German paper that he did not think the Chinese would try to take control.
"I think it's out of the question that the Chinese will try to take control of Daimler against the will of Germany," he was quoted by Bild am Sonntag in an interview published on Sunday.
"On the other hand, Chinese investors are already among Daimler's shareholders. I would appreciate it if their number grew," he added.
According to Daimler's website, 19.1 percent of the company is owned by private investors.
Daimler in April reported robust first-quarter results and said its passenger car business was driven by strong demand in China, now the world's largest car market.
Last month, however, Zetsche warned of economic risks in emerging markets, including China, that could cause the car industry's main growth driver to stall.
Zetsche confirmed the company's outlook at the time, forecasting a significant rise in earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) this year, and he told Bild am Sonntag that business was strong at the moment.
"The situation is outstanding," Zetsche was quoted as saying. "We're heavily investing in the expansion of our capacities in order to take advantage of the growth opportunities."
Copyright Reuters, 2011
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