Mercedes-Benz delivered 16% fewer cars in April and June compared to the same time last year. However, sales of its battery-electric vehicles (BEV) almost doubled.
The German automaker sold 490,000 cars between April and June and blamed COVID lockdown measures and the ongoing semiconductor shortage for the slump in sales. But, despite those ongoing challenges, Mercedes managed to grow its BEV order book by 90% to 23,5000 units.
Deliveries of all its electrified models, including plug-in hybrids, grew 2% to 65,400 units. According to Mercedes, during the first half of this year, its BEV sales rose by 134% to 45,400 units as volume models such as the EQE began rolling off the production line. Deliveries of all electrified models reached 139,600 worldwide (+14%) during the first six months of this year.
“Customer demand remains high. This is an honour and obligation for us. We are making every effort to fulfil customer expectations, despite the current supply restrictions,” said Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales.
“The electric ramp up is gaining traction: Sales of our fully electric vehicles increased by more than 90% in Q2 and even 134% in the first half of 2022. It shows that we offer compelling electric vehicles that our customers desire.”
This encouraging news also mirrors the success that fellow German automaker BMW has recently seen. The Bavarian giant saw its EV sales more than double, while ICE vehicle sales declined.
Another similarity between the two German manufacturers is that sales of high-end models grew.
Mercedes-Maybach delivered 4,400 vehicles, achieving its best-ever sales for a second-quarter (+25%). The flagship S-Class had its highest-ever second-quarter sales, with 21,700 cars and EQS deliveries reached 8,500 vehicles in the first half-year, underlining the additional sales potential of its electric flagship.
BMW, meanwhile, managed to shift 6.8% more Rolls-Royce cars (3,191 in total) compared to usual.
