Volkswagen Group’s electric vehicle sales declined 3% to 136,400 units in the first three months of the year, largely led by a 24% drop in sales in Europe and a 16% decline in the U.S. That overall decline comes despite Volkswagen selling 41,000 electric cars in China, where it recorded a 91% sales increase despite an ongoing price war and growing competition.
However, the company is confident that it will see strong EV sales growth in Europe later this year, citing its order bank of around 160,000 units in Europe.
The most successful all-electric Group models worldwide in the first quarter of 2024 were:
– Volkswagen ID.4/ID.5 34,600
– Volkswagen ID.3 26,100
– Audi Q4 e-tron (incl. Sportback) 22,800
– Škoda Enyaq (incl. Coupé) 14,000
– Audi Q8 e-tron (incl. Sportback) 9,600
– Volkswagen ID. Buzz (incl. Cargo) 7,000
– CUPRA Born 6,900
In 2024, the Volkswagen Group will launch more than 30 attractive new models, including many all-electric vehicles such as the Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer and the ID. Buzz with long wheelbase, the CUPRA Tavascan, the Audi Q6 e-tron and the Porsche Macan Electric.
Meanwhile, during the first quarter, Mercedes-Benz recorded an 8% decrease in EV sales as it winded down the smart fortwo, although plug-in hybrid vehicle sales jumped 6%. The automaker also cited weakening consumer demand in Germany after the country ended an EV subsidy program.
The Mercedes-Benz sold 50,500 electric vehicles in the first quarter of 2024. Global battery electric vehicle sales of Mercedes-Benz Cars reached 47,500 units (-8%) in the first quarter. The demand for electric vans lessened in the first three months to 3,000 electric vans (-17%), which, according to Mercedes-Benz Vans, in Germany was caused by the abrupt end of a tax incentive. Full-year unit sales of Mercedes-Benz Vans are expected to be slightly below the record sales year of 2023.
Overall, electric vehicles accounted for 10% of total Q1 Mercedes-Benz Cars sales and 19% including plug-in-hybrids.
