Core Insights - Mercedes-Benz is facing significant challenges in the Chinese market, with a total of 16,100 vehicles recalled due to safety and emission risks, following a previous recall of 33,400 vehicles in May [1][3] - The company's sales in China have declined, with 683,600 units sold in 2024, a decrease of 7.3% year-on-year, and 152,800 units in the first quarter of 2025, down 10% year-on-year [1][3] - To combat declining sales, Mercedes-Benz has been reducing prices across its key models, with discounts reaching up to 120,000 yuan for certain models [2][3] Sales Performance - The C-Class, GLC, and E-Class are the main sales pillars for Mercedes-Benz in China, with significant price reductions implemented to stimulate demand [2][3] - The sales decline is also reflected in the financial performance of Beijing Benz, which reported a revenue of 21.747 billion euros in 2024, down 3.36% year-on-year, and a net profit of 2.443 billion euros, down 18.5% year-on-year [3] Market Competition - The rise of domestic brands has intensified competition, with domestic brands capturing 64% of the retail market share in the first five months of 2024, an increase of 7.9 percentage points year-on-year [3][4] - The penetration rate of new energy vehicles (NEVs) among domestic brands reached 74.6%, while Mercedes-Benz's NEV penetration remains low at 6.4% for mainstream joint venture brands [4] Electric Vehicle Strategy - Mercedes-Benz's electric vehicle sales are lagging, with only 185,000 units sold globally in 2024, a decrease of 23% year-on-year, and 45,500 units in the first quarter of 2025, down 10% year-on-year [4][5] - The company plans to launch a significant number of new products from 2025 to 2027, including 36 new models, with a focus on both internal combustion and electric vehicles [8][9] Investment and Development - Mercedes-Benz has committed to increasing its investment in China, with plans to introduce multiple dedicated products covering all market segments and drive types from 2025 to 2027 [9] - Since 2019, the company has invested 10.5 billion yuan in R&D in China, focusing on electrification and intelligence, establishing the largest R&D network outside Germany [9] Competitive Landscape - Compared to other multinational automakers, Mercedes-Benz's localization of electric vehicles appears slower, with competitors like BMW and Audi making larger investments in local partnerships and production [11][13]
德国豪车陷质量危机，一季度销量再跌10%，如何重拾中国市场？