SAN FRANCISCO Daimler Buses North America reports record sales of its Setra S 417 motorcoach last year, despite an industrywide decline in sales.

The company sold 136 units in 2007, a 10 percent gain from previous year sales, according to Andreas Strecker, president and chief executive of the Greensboro, N. C., company that sells Setra motorcoaches, Orion transit buses and Sprinter shuttles.

The increase in sales came at the same time motorcoach sales in the United States fell by about 300 units, dropping to just under 2,200 last year from nearly 2,400 in 2006.

"We're very optimistic we will set another record in 2008," he said during a press conference at UMA Motorcoach Expo here.

To meet the expected sales gain, Strecker said he expects Daimler shareholders to infuse more money into the company so production can be increased.

Patrick Scully, chief commercial officer of Daimler Bus North America, joined in the optimism, pointing out the company has sold out its first six months of production.

To bolster customer service and keep up with the increased number of Setra coaches on the road, Daimler Buses opened a service center in New York last year that's equipped to service all of the company's products.

The company also continued its practice of bringing to the floor of the trade show two coaches that had been sold and turning them over to their new owners. This year's S 417 coaches went to Arrow Stage Lines of Omaha, Neb., and ProTran in Fort Washington, Md.

The Arrow coach included a TopSky glass roof that runs the length of the center aisle, airline-style tray tables, laptop connections, a galley and scenic view cameras. The ProTran coach had a rear window, leather seating, a galley, satellite television, a scenic view camera and four 19-inch monitors. Both vehicles featured 2007 Detroit Diesel Series 60 engines.

"With our continued success in the premium segment of the motorcoach market, the Setra S 417 provides the benchmark in customer experience with its breathtaking design and unmatched comfort," said Scully.