Mercedes-Benz Cars sold 590,999 passenger cars (+22.3%) in the first quarter of 2021 driven by China and US retail sales as well as strong demand for plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles. In Europe, one in four cars sold by Mercedes-Benz and smart was an xEV. Globally, plug-in hybrids and all-electric cars made up about 10% of overall sales, with approximately 59,000 units and thereof more than 16,000 all-electric vehicles sold.
The EQA, presented in January, achieved a high level of order intake and customer inquiries. “With around 20,000 orders already received, the customer feedback for the EQA provides a promising kick-start into our Mercedes-EQ year 2021”, stated Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes‑Benz AG responsible for Marketing and Sales. First deliveries of the EQA started at the end of March.
With the EQS, EQB and EQE, three more Mercedes-EQ world premieres will take place in 2021 to further expand the line-up of six all-electric models at Mercedes-Benz Cars. “We will keep up the pace for electrification: On April 15, we will present the EQS as our electric flagship model. I am convinced that the EQS will fascinate customers across the world as it is a game changer in terms of driving experience and connected services”, said Britta Seeger. The company will also continue to extend its wide and attractive xEV product range by offering its customers a total of about 30 plug-in hybrid variants until the end of 2021.
The current worldwide shortage of supply in certain semiconductor components affected deliveries in the first quarter and will continue to affect sales in Q2. The company monitors the situation closely and is in constant contact with the suppliers.
Mercedes-Benz passenger car sales by regions and markets
Sales of Mercedes-Benz in the Asia-Pacific region rose 46.6% due to the continuing strong sales development in China: where a new record was achieved with 222,520 cars delivered in Q1 (+60.1%). In January, sales in China almost reached the milestone of 100,000 vehicles within a single month.
In the Europe region, brand deliveries were despite ongoing lockdown measures in many markets at the beginning of the year slightly above Q1 2020 (+1.8%). In Germany, Mercedes-Benz sold a total of 54,446 cars (‑15.4%).
Sales in the North America region totalled 88,318 units (+12.5%) with 78,256 passenger cars delivered to customers in the USA (+15.5%). Moreover, in the USA, Mercedes-Benz was the strongest-selling luxury car brand in Q1.
Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans unit sales
Mercedes-Benz sold 581,270 cars worldwide from January to March (+21.8%). With a total of more than 50,000 orders received, customer demand and order intakes remain at high level for the new S-Class. Moreover, the S-Class (+17.0%), the SUVs (+54.3%) and the E-Class saloon and estate (+23.9%) achieved in Q1 strong double-digit growth rates in deliveries.
At the smart brand, global unit sales totalled 9,729 two- and four-door urban microcars – a strong growth of 65.9% due to the high demand in Germany for all-electric vehicles.
Despite ongoing corona-related partial lockdowns in several countries, Mercedes-Benz Vans sold significantly more commercial vans in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period of the previous year (+18.2%).
In total, 76,328 Sprinter, Vito, Vito Tourer and Citan vans were sold from January to March. In particular, in the USA with a best first quarter and in Europe, significantly more commercial Mercedes-Benz Vans were sold than in the same period of the previous year. In Europe, the eSprinter and eVito contributed to growth.
“With almost 1,200 electrified vans sold in the first quarter, we exceeded last year’s result by around 150% in the same period. This underlines our strategic aim of ‘lead in electrive drive’,” stated Marcus Breitschwerdt, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. “In the second half of this year, we will bring the new Citan to market, followed by its electric version next year. This will make us a provider of electric vans in every segment.”
Overview of retail unit sales by Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans
| Q1 2021 | Change in % | |
| Mercedes-Benz** | 581,270 | +21.8 |
| smart | 9,729 | +65.9 |
| Mercedes-Benz Cars | 590,999 | +22.3 |
| Mercedes-Benz Vans (commercial models) | 76,328 | +18.2 |
| Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans | 667,327 | +21.8 |
| Mercedes-Benz passenger cars sales by region and market | ||
| Europe | 192,302 | +1.8 |
| – thereof Germany | 54,446 | -15.4 |
| Asia-Pacific | 291,578 | +46.6 |
| – thereof China | 222,520 | +60.1 |
| North America | 88,318 | +12.5 |
| – thereof USA | 78,256 | +15.5 |
