Automotive industry - Mercedes-Benz sells fewer cars in the second quarter
Mercedes-Benz sold fewer vehicles in the second quarter of the year compared to the previous year's period. From April to June, a total of 600,100 passenger cars and vans were sold. This represents a decrease of around six percent compared to the second quarter of 2023, the carmaker announced in Stuttgart.
Vans saw an increase in sales of three percent, with a total of 103,400 vehicles sold. The car division, however, reported a decline of four percent, with 496,700 cars sold. Model changes and supply bottlenecks influenced sales in the first half of the year. In the premium segment, which includes models such as the S-Class, sales dropped by 17 percent.
This can also be attributed to a subdued market environment in Asia. Sales in the important market of China fell by six percent. Mercedes still sold around 29 percent of its cars there, amounting to 172,600 units. The carmaker expects more sales in the second half of the year due to full product availability and the introduction of models like the new G-Class.
Sales of electric cars drop by a quarter
Mercedes also reported a decline in electric car sales. A total of 45,800 units were sold in this segment, a decrease of one quarter. One in every thirteen cars sold was a fully electric vehicle in the second quarter. From January to March, almost every tenth car sold was an electric vehicle.
The market for electric cars is seeing slower growth in key markets, according to the company. At the same time, there has been increased demand for vehicles with plug-in hybrids, leading to a global sales increase of 27 percent in the second quarter compared to the previous year.
The decrease in Mercedes-Benz's vehicle sales is a trend observed in Germany, as the company reported a six percent decline in Quarterly figures. Mercedes-Benz, a prominent entity in the Automotive industry based in Stuttgart, Germany, is the home of Baden-Württemberg's vehicle construction sector. This decline in sales includes both cars and vans, with the car division experiencing a four percent decline and van sales showing a marginal increase of three percent.
Mercedes-Benz is not only a car manufacturer but also a significant player in the luxury segment, with models like the S-Class. The premium segment saw a significant drop in sales, with sales of these luxury vehicles decreasing by 17 percent. This trend is also visible in key markets like Asia, where China, an important market for Mercedes-Benz, reported a six percent decline in sales.
The decline in electric car sales is not exclusive to Mercedes-Benz. The company reported a decrease of one quarter in electric car sales, with only one in every thirteen cars sold being a fully electric vehicle. This trend of slower growth in the electric car market is consistent across key markets, according to Mercedes-Benz. However, the demand for vehicles with plug-in hybrids has seen a significant increase, leading to a global sales increase of 27 percent in the second quarter compared to the previous year.
