Mercedes-Benz Electric Vehicle Sales See Substantial Drop in 2024
Mercedes-Benz reported a 22% decrease in battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales for 2024, selling 204,600 units. This decline impacted both the passenger car and van divisions, signaling a challenging year for the automaker in the electric vehicle market. The fourth quarter of 2024 saw an even steeper drop, with a 24% decrease compared to the same period in 2023, totaling 56,100 electric vehicles.
Passenger Car Division Sales Figures
The passenger car division accounted for the majority of electric vehicle sales, with 185,100 BEVs sold in 2024. This represents a 23% year-on-year decrease. In 2023, Mercedes-Benz sold 222,600 electric cars, reflecting a substantial growth rate of 73%. Despite the overall downtrend, the fourth quarter of 2024 showed a 16% increase in BEV sales compared to the third quarter, reaching 49,200 vehicles. While this was the best quarter of the year, all quarters in 2023 exceeded 50,000 units.
Market Share and Overall Sales
Mercedes’ share of electric cars remained relatively stable, at 9.5% and 9.3% for the fourth quarter and the year respectively. This is a decrease from the 11% share recorded in 2023.
Across all drive types, the passenger car division saw a 3% decrease in sales, with 1.98 million cars sold. While specific electric vehicle sales figures were not provided for individual markets, Mercedes-Benz reported declines in Europe and China (3% and 7%, respectively). Growth was observed in North America (+8%) and the rest of the world (+4%).
Sales increased only in the ‘core’ segment, which includes derivatives of the C-Class and E-Class, including the EQC, EQE, and EQE SUV (+6%). Sales decreased by 14% in both the top-end (Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach, G-Class, S-Class, GLS, EQS, and EQS SUV) and entry-level (all A-Class and B-Class derivatives including EQA, EQB, and Smart) segments.
Mercedes-Benz highlighted the electric G-Class, stating it achieved its best-ever sales quarter following new model launches in 2024. However, specific sales figures were not provided.
Mercedes-Benz attributed the lower BEV sales in 2024 to slower EV adoption in core markets. In contrast, plug-in hybrid sales increased by 13%.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Mercedes-Benz is looking forward to 2025 with the upcoming premiere of the new CLA and the MMA platform. Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes, stated, “In 2024, Mercedes-Benz once again demonstrated the power of our brand and the depth of our broad product offering. This culminated in strong sales of our Top-End and Core vehicles in the fourth quarter. We continue to consistently strengthen our portfolio with the biggest product offensive in our company’s history starting this year with the all-new CLA.”
Van Division Performance
The van division contributed 405,600 vehicles to overall Group sales in 2024, reflecting a 9% decrease. Electric vans accounted for 19,500 units, marking a 14% decline, which exceeded the total decrease in Mercedes-Benz Vans sales. The electric vehicle share within the van division was 4.8%.
