MERCEDES' new UK supremo Paul Halata is predicting another year of record sales as the car-maker's new supermini makes its show debut at Geneva. The new UK managing director, who took over from Hans Tauscher at the beginning of the year, said both car and truck sales would grow dramatically over the next couple of years.

He said cars like the new A-class, which breaks cover at next week's Geneva show, would win conquest business from new customers. Available in the UK next year, the A-class breaks the small car mould by offering upper-medium class levels of space in a compact mini-MPV configuration.

Engine, transmission and axles are all mounted underneath the vehicle, allowing maximum use of space for passengers and luggage in a vehicle which is about the same length as a supermini. Available with a choice of three engines, the A-class also marks a first in diesel design with the debut of Mercedes' state-of-the-art direct injection common rail turbodiesel.