关注 「电动车公社」 和我们一起重新思考汽车 "如果没有燃油车，欧洲汽车产业将彻底完蛋！" 这并不是危言耸听，而是奔驰 CEO 康林松的肺腑之言。 前不久，几大欧洲车企纷纷拿出了 利润大幅缩水的上半年财报： 在一次媒体采访中，康林松直白地表示： 如果欧盟坚持要在 2035 年全面实行"禁燃令"，整个欧洲汽车业要迎接的，就是集体"全速撞墙"的现实。 奔驰净利润下降 56% 、宝马集团净利润下降 29% 、大众营业利润同 样下 降 32.8%...... Stellantis 集团 更惨， 2023 年狂砍 180 亿净利润、荣膺欧洲最赚钱汽车制造商的盛景，仿佛犹在眼前 。但 今年上半年直接扭盈为亏， 净亏损竟高达 22.56 亿 欧元！ 事实上，随着电气化转型的日程表逐渐推进，欧洲汽车产业的日子是一年不如一年。 | | | | H1 2025 VS. | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | € million, except as otherwise stated | H1 2025 | H1 2024 | H1 2024 | | Combined Shipments(1) (000 uni ...

Core Viewpoint - The financial performance of traditional fuel vehicle manufacturers is deteriorating significantly, with profit declines outpacing revenue and sales drops, highlighting the challenges of transitioning to electric vehicles [5][9][15]. Group 1: Financial Performance of Traditional Automakers - Volkswagen's operating profit fell by 32.79% in the first half of the year, despite a slight revenue decline of less than 1% and a 1% increase in delivery volume [9]. - Mercedes-Benz experienced a staggering 69% drop in net profit in Q2, with overall revenue down 8.59% and a more than 70% decline in operating profit from its automotive business [15]. - BMW reported a 26.83% decrease in operating profit, with revenue down 7.98% and a gross margin in its automotive business dropping below 15% [12]. Group 2: Market Trends and Challenges - The shift towards electric vehicles is uneven, with traditional automakers struggling to sell electric models while hybrid vehicles are performing better in certain markets [18][20]. - In the second quarter, Mercedes-Benz's overall passenger car deliveries fell by 9%, with electric models down 24%, while plug-in hybrid models saw a 34% increase [18]. - The Chinese market is leading in electric vehicle penetration, with a forecasted 44.3% market share by mid-2025, while the European market lags behind at around 20% [22][27]. Group 3: Strategic Adjustments - Major automakers are adjusting their electric vehicle strategies, with Volkswagen increasing its target for electric vehicles in China to 80% by 2030, while others like Ford and Stellantis are shifting towards hybrid models [28]. - The financial strain from electric vehicle investments is evident, with Volkswagen's software and battery divisions reporting significant losses, indicating a broader issue among traditional automakers [30][32]. - The need to balance investments in traditional fuel vehicles while transitioning to electric and hybrid models is creating a complex operational environment for these companies [27][36].

Core Viewpoint - Mercedes-Benz Group reported a significant decline in revenue and net profit for Q2 2025, indicating challenges in the automotive market, particularly in the transition to electric vehicles [1][5]. Financial Performance - Q2 2025 revenue was €33.153 billion, down 9.8% from €36.743 billion in the same period last year [1][5]. - Net profit for Q2 2025 was €0.957 billion, a drastic decrease of 68.7% compared to €3.062 billion in Q2 2024 [1][5]. - For the first half of 2025, total revenue was €66.377 billion, down 8.6%, and net profit fell by 55.8% to €2.688 billion [5]. Sales Performance - Total vehicle sales in Q2 2025 were 547,100 units, a 9% decrease year-over-year [6]. - In China, sales dropped 19% to 140,400 units in Q2 2025 [6][11]. - The sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were particularly weak, with a decline of 18% to 41,900 units in Q2 2025 [6][8]. Market Challenges - The decline in sales is attributed to a shrinking market for fuel vehicles, weak pricing, negative currency impacts, and reduced contributions from joint ventures [5]. - The company is facing increased competition from domestic electric vehicle brands in China, which are gaining market share [11][12]. Dealer Network Adjustments - Mercedes-Benz has been closing several authorized dealerships in response to declining sales, with reports of over 100 dealers potentially being cut [9][10]. - The company aims to optimize its dealer network in China to improve profitability amid challenging market conditions [10][11].

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]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the ongoing controversy surrounding Deep Blue Automotive's advertising practices on in-car screens, highlighting the company's response to allegations of intrusive advertising and privacy policy changes [1][2]. Group 1: Advertising Practices - Deep Blue Automotive faced backlash from car owners for pushing advertisements on the vehicle's display without consent, which some owners claimed affected their driving experience [2]. - The CEO of Deep Blue Automotive apologized for the incident, stating that the intention was to inform customers about a promotional offer, but acknowledged the mistake and committed to improving communication methods [2][3]. - The trend of using in-car displays for advertising has become common among automakers as competition intensifies, with several brands employing similar strategies to promote new models and offers [3]. Group 2: Regulatory and Privacy Concerns - The rise in complaints about in-car advertising has led to increased scrutiny from regulatory bodies, with new regulations requiring clear disclosure of advertising practices and user consent [4]. - Concerns about personal data privacy have escalated, with consumers worried about potential data collection by automakers for targeted advertising, including sensitive information such as location and in-car activities [4][5]. - A significant number of data breach incidents related to automotive companies have been reported, prompting the industry to implement measures for better privacy protection [5][6].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolution and challenges of hidden door handles in the automotive industry, highlighting their aesthetic appeal and the associated safety concerns that have led to regulatory scrutiny [3][4][5]. Group 1: Product Innovation and Market Trends - Hidden door handles were initially designed for aesthetics and aerodynamics, becoming more common in mainstream vehicles due to technological advancements and cost reductions [4][5]. - Tesla played a significant role in popularizing hidden door handles with the Model S, which integrated this design to enhance the vehicle's technological appeal and performance [5][6]. - The adoption of hidden door handles has increased, with approximately 60% of the top 100 new energy vehicles in China featuring this design [15]. Group 2: Safety and Regulatory Concerns - Recent issues with hidden door handles include problems such as hand pinching, freezing in winter, and sensor failures, prompting regulatory bodies to intervene [5][6]. - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in China proposed new safety standards for automotive door handles, addressing concerns about strength, control logic risks, and emergency escape scenarios [6][15]. - The complexity of hidden door handles increases the potential for failure, especially in emergency situations where traditional mechanical systems may be more reliable [13][15]. Group 3: Cost and Engineering Challenges - The implementation of hidden door handles significantly increases vehicle weight and costs, with estimates suggesting a 7-8 kg increase and BOM costs that can be 4-7 times higher than traditional systems [14][15]. - Some manufacturers are adopting hybrid designs, such as semi-hidden handles, to balance aesthetics and functionality while mitigating risks associated with fully electronic systems [14][15]. - The lack of unified industry standards for hidden door handles raises concerns about safety and reliability, as different manufacturers may have varying levels of quality and emergency features [16][17]. Group 4: Future Developments and Innovations - Suppliers are developing safer hidden door handle solutions, including mechanical systems that do not rely on electrical power, ensuring functionality in emergencies [20][21]. - The automotive industry is urged to prioritize safety and quality over cost-cutting measures, as the current trend of focusing on price may lead to increased risks in product reliability [27].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the evolution and challenges of hidden door handles in the automotive industry, highlighting their aesthetic appeal versus practical safety concerns and regulatory scrutiny [2][3][11]. Summary by Sections Evolution of Hidden Door Handles - Initially designed for aesthetics and aerodynamics, hidden door handles became more common in mainstream vehicles due to technological advancements and cost reductions [2]. - Tesla's Model S was the first electric vehicle to feature hidden door handles, which contributed to its success and established a design trend in the EV market [2]. Technical Challenges and Regulatory Response - Hidden door handles have faced issues such as hand pinching, freezing in winter, and sensor failures, leading to safety concerns [3]. - The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in China proposed new safety standards for automotive door handles, addressing risks related to strength, control logic, and emergency escape [3][11]. Performance vs. Complexity - The aerodynamic benefits of hidden door handles are minimal, with improvements in drag coefficient only between 0.001 to 0.002 Cd, translating to a mere 1 to 3 kilometers of range increase [4]. - The complexity and cost of hidden door handles are significantly higher than traditional designs, raising questions about their overall value [4][12]. Design Variants and Safety Considerations - Hidden door handles can be categorized into fully hidden and semi-hidden types, with varying mechanisms for operation [5][7]. - The reliance on electronic systems increases potential failure points, especially in emergency situations where mechanical backup is crucial [7][11]. Market Adoption and Consumer Perception - Approximately 60% of the top 100 electric vehicle models in China feature hidden door handles, indicating a growing trend despite safety concerns [11]. - Some manufacturers adopt a hybrid approach, combining hidden designs with traditional mechanical features to balance aesthetics and safety [10][12]. Future Developments and Innovations - Suppliers are exploring safer hidden door handle solutions, such as mechanical self-triggering mechanisms that do not rely on electrical power [17][18]. - The automotive industry is urged to prioritize safety and functionality over cost-cutting measures, reflecting a need for a shift in design philosophy [24].