1st Quarter Mercedes-Benz Sales Driven By Electric Vehicles
Giancarlo Perlas April 13, 2023Mercedes-Benz sales have risen by 3 percent in the first quarter of this year, despite ongoing supply chain disruptions, economic headwinds, and geopolitical uncertainties. The automaker’s strong performance was boosted by the sales of electric vehicles and its top-end models. In a statement released on Wednesday, Mercedes said that it sold 503,500 vehicles globally, with Europe recording the strongest growth at 8 percent.
Electric Vehicles Driving Mercedes-Benz Sales Growth
The sales of electric vehicles were the main driver of Mercedes’ sales growth during the period. The EQB full-electric crossover experienced the most substantial increase in sales volume among the brand’s EVs, with a surge of 189 percent. Sales of the EQA also rose by 64 percent, while the brand sold 5,500 units of the EQS SUV.
Electric vehicles, including battery-electric vehicles, accounted for 10 percent of the brand’s total sales volume, indicating an increase from the 6 percent figure on a year-on-year basis.
Top-End Segment’s Solid Growth
The special segment of Mercedes, consisting of high-end models such as AMG, Maybach, and G-Class, also showed strong sales growth of 18 percent during the period, amounting to 91,800 units sold. This growth suggests that the brand’s wealthy clientele remains undeterred by economic uncertainties and is still interested in purchasing premium vehicles.
Sales by Region
During the quarter that just ended, Mercedes experienced a 3 percent rise in sales in China, while North America saw a 1 percent increase in sales volume. The Mercedes-Benz Vans division also achieved its best-ever first-quarter performance, with 98,900 units sold, representing a growth of 12 percent.
Final Thoughts
The strong Q1 performance shown by the latest Mercedes-Benz sales figures illustrates that the brand’s focus on electric vehicles is paying off, with the segment contributing significantly to the sales growth. The top-end segment’s solid growth also indicates that despite the economic headwinds, the brand’s affluent customers are still willing to spend on luxury vehicles.
