FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Automaker Daimler AG said yesterday it plans to add more than 1,000 jobs around the world next year despite the world financial crisis.

The company said it will create 500 new positions in Stuttgart, Germany, alone in an effort to prepare the next generation of employees.

At the same time, the company will be unable to cut any jobs at German facilities until at least 2012 because of an existing agreement with employees, company spokeswoman Marina Krets said in Stuttgart.

"There are no job cuts planned," she said.

The company said it is prepared to adjust to market demand through flexibility measures that protect its core business.

"Global competition tests our structures and efficiencies, which we try to improve constantly," Daimler said.

The comments follow confirmations from a number of European and American car companies this week that they would curb production and lay off employees in light of waning demand and the slumping global economy.

Shares of the Stuttgart-based company slipped less than 1 percent to end at 24.60 euros ($33.54) yesterday.