DaimlerChrysler said on Thursday it has sold 1,681 cars between January and August this year, 22 per cent up from the corresponding period last year.

"The company sold 1,681 cars in the country in January-August this year, a 22 per cent growth compared to the corresponding period of the previous calendar year," Managing Director and CEO of DaimlerChrysler India, Wilfried Aulbur, said.

"DaimlerChrysler has been doubling its sales growth in India in the last three years and is upbeat on the "desi" market as rising disposable income and easy access to loans drive local demand," Aulbur said.

The sales growth of the Mercedes-Benz cars maker in India in 2005 was 5.5 per cent, while it was 11 per cent last year (2006).

The luxury car maker sold 2,121 units in last fiscal, he said, adding the sales in the current fiscal would surpass last year's.

Rising aspirations, booming stock markets and real estate in the country as also easy access to loans have fuelled the company's sales, he said.