Mercedes-Benz Group second-quarter sales reached 600,100 cars and vans underpinned by improved product availability at Mercedes-Benz Cars in China and the U.S., but remained below the prior-year level amid model changeovers and a value-oriented sales approach in a challenging economic environment. Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars sales are expected to further improve in the second half of the year. Mercedes-Benz Vans achieved robust sales despite a subdued market environment and model changeovers.
Mercedes-Benz Cars sales reached 496,700 units in the second quarter, a plus of 7% compared to the first quarter. Model changeovers and availability constraints impacted sales in the first half of the year. Thanks to full product availability of the E-Class, GLC and market introductions of new Mercedes-AMG models, the new G-Class and electric G-Class, overall sales are expected to rise in the second half of the year.
Battery electric vehicles (BEV) sales reached 45,800 units in Q2. The pace of EV adoption eased in important markets as the company focused on healthy growth in a market environment characterized by heavy discounting. An increased demand for plug-in-hybrids in all major regions led to a global sales rise of 27% compared to the previous year.
In line with our expectations, Top-End Q2 sales increased by 6% compared to Q1, but remain below year-earlier levels, mainly due to model changeovers and a subdued market environment in Asia. However, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class remains the undisputed market leader in its segment in all major markets. The company expects Top-End sales to rise significantly in the second half of the year driven by further market launches of the new G-Class including the electric G-Class, several Mercedes-AMG models such as the E-Class and CLE derivatives and the updated EQS.
Sales in the Core segment rose by 8% in Q2 compared to previous quarter mainly driven by the E-Class and GLC which has retained its status as the top-selling Mercedes-Benz model.
Sales in Europe reached 157,500 units with solid demand for battery electric vehicles and with a strong demand for plug-in-hybrids. In Germany, every third customer opted for a BEV or plug-in-hybrid (xEV) in the first half of the year.
Sales in China reached 172,600 units in the second quarter, an increase of 2% compared to the first quarter. The ramp-up of the new locally produced E-Class continues, which received excellent customer feedback and saw sales rising by 41% in Q2 compared to the first quarter. Demand for the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class remains strong with sales up 16% in the first half of the year.
Sales in the U.S. reached 84,700 units in Q2, a significant increase of 27% compared to Q1 thanks to improved product availability of the GLC, the new E-Class and CLE models as well as an increased demand for plug-in-hybrids.
