Mercedes-Benz Group reported a 14% decline in electric car sales for the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year, citing model transitions and the phase-out of the electric Smart range in Europe. The company sold 40,700 battery-electric cars in the first three months of the year, down from 47,500 units in Q1 2024.
At the group level, including both passenger cars and vans, total electric vehicle (EV) sales reached 45,500 units, down from 50,500 in the same quarter last year. The decline comes as the company prepares to introduce a new generation of electric models, starting with the upcoming CLA.
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“Overall sales were influenced by model transition dynamics in the Entry segment, especially in Germany after the electric Smart phased out in Europe,” Mercedes said in a statement. “The upcoming all-new CLA will be the first of many new Mercedes-Benz battery electric vehicles.”
While EV passenger car sales fell, the company’s van division recorded strong growth in battery-electric vehicles. Mercedes-Benz Vans increased sales of electric vans by 59% year-on-year, despite an overall 21% decline in total van sales to 82,900 units in Q1.
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“We have increased sales of fully electric vans by 59% which translates to a global BEV share of 6% in the first quarter,” said Klaus Rehkugler, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans Sales & Marketing.
Electric vehicles accounted for 9.1% of Mercedes-Benz Cars’ total deliveries in the quarter, with an additional 46,100 plug-in hybrid vehicles sold, marking an 8% increase. Combined, electrified vehicles (BEVs and PHEVs) represented 19.4% of total passenger car sales, which stood at 446,300 units.