Mercedes-Benz Q1 Results Driven by Top-End Cars and Premium Vans

• Solid performance despite macro uncertainty: Q1 Group EBIT up 5% to €5.5 billion (Q1 2022: €5.2 billion) as Group revenue rose 8% to €37.5 billion (Q1 2022: €34.9 billion)
• Resilience underlined by healthy profitability: Mercedes-Benz Cars adjusted Return on Sales (RoS) reaches 14.8% (Q1 2022: 16.4%), 15.6% for Mercedes-Benz Vans (Q1 2022: 12.6%), and an adjusted Return on Equity (RoE) of 15.6% for Mercedes-Benz Mobility (Q1 2022: 20.2%)
• Strategy execution on track: Significant Top-End sales increase, Mercedes-Benz Cars BEV sales nearly doubled, new Mercedes-Benz Maybach EQS SUV^[1] unveiled, precursor of MB.OS shown in new E-Class
• Outlook: Group outlook remains unchanged. Mercedes-Benz Vans adjusted RoS lifted to 11%-13% and at Mercedes-Benz Cars the adjusted RoS is seen at the upper end of 12%–14%

STUTTGART, Germany–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Mercedes-Benz Group AG (ticker symbol: MBG) achieved healthy first quarter financial results thanks to a rise in sales of Top-End vehicles and premium vans. Improved pricing outweighed headwinds from material costs. Together with higher sales, as well as a favorable product mix, it resulted in Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) of €5.5 billion (Q1 2022: €5.2 billion). First-quarter revenue increased 8% to €37.5 billion (Q1 2022: €34.9 billion) and adjusted EBIT rose to €5.4 billion (Q1 2022: €5.3 billion). Six consecutive quarters of delivering double-digit margins demonstrate resilience and a structurally uplifted business performance.

Strong sales of G-Class, Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Maybach vehicles helped Mercedes-Benz Cars to achieve an adjusted Return on Sales of 14.8%. At Mercedes-Benz Vans the adjusted Return on Sales reached 15.6%, boosted by improved pricing and deliveries of large vans. The shift towards greater electrification continues, with sales of Battery Electric Vehicles at Mercedes-Benz Cars up 89% and rising 22% at Mercedes-Benz Vans.

“Our focus on Top-End cars and premium vans has made Mercedes-Benz more weatherproof, allowing us to accelerate our digital and electric transformation – even in a period of economic uncertainty. Ongoing cost discipline, combined with further key product launches like the all-electric Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV ^[1] will keep us on track to continue delivering sustainable results.”

Harald Wilhelm, Chief Financial Officer of Mercedes-Benz Group AG

Mercedes-Benz continues to transform at full speed towards an all-electric software-driven future. The Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV ^[1], an all-electric Top-End vehicle, was presented at Auto Shanghai 2023 following the introduction of a plug-in hybrid version of the Mercedes-Maybach, the S 580 e^[2] earlier in the year. With the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV ^[1], the company presented an EQ model tailor-made for delivering further growth in China and the U.S.. In the first quarter, the company also presented its strategy for MB.OS, its proprietary software operating system. As part of its ESG efforts to make Mercedes-Benz a more sustainable company, a groundbreaking ceremony for a battery recycling plant was held in Kuppenheim, Germany and Mercedes-Benz signed a 140 megawatts Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Iberdrola to access green energy for production. The company’s Green Finance Framework was also expanded to include green asset backed securities.

Investments, free cash flow and liquidity
The free cash flow of the industrial business increased to €2.2 billion (Q1 2022: €1.2 billion). The net liquidity of the industrial business rose to €28.9 billion (end of 2022: €26.6 billion). The Group’s investments in property, plant and equipment in the first quarter totaled €0.8 billion (Q1 2022: €0.9 billion). Research and development expenditure amounted to €2.5 billion (Q1 2022: €2.0 billion) due to higher investments for future platforms and technologies, including MB.OS. In February 2023, the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board of Mercedes-Benz Group AG resolved to conduct a share buyback program. Beginning in March 2023, own shares worth up to €4 billion (not including incidental costs) are intended to be acquired on the stock exchange over a period of up to two years and shall subsequently be cancelled.

Divisional results

At Mercedes-Benz Cars, sales reached 503,483 units (+3%) in the first quarter, despite ongoing supply-chain disruptions, economic headwinds and geopolitical uncertainty. Mercedes-Benz passenger car (excl. smart) BEV sales more than doubled in the first three months (+119%), and electric vehicles reached 10% of overall sales in Q1. Sales in the Top-End segment rose to 91,772 units (+18%). Mercedes-AMG sales increased by 44% to 40,330 units, based on new vehicle launches and a strong performance in the SUV segment. In the Core segment, sales reached 248,383 units (-11%) impacted by model changeovers for the top-selling GLC and E-Class. Sales in the Entry segment grew by 27% to 163,328 units in the first quarter. smart sales reached 5,358 units (-14%).

Mercedes-Benz Vans significantly increased its global sales in the first quarter of 2023 to 98,885 units (+12%) despite the continuing challenges in logistics. Global sales of all-electric vans increased significantly in the first quarter of 2023 to 3,570 units (Q1 2022: 2,925). Thus, the share of all-electric models in total sales amounts to 4%. The adjusted Return on Sales for Mercedes-Benz Vans rose to 15.6% (Q1 2022: 12.6%) thanks to a strong contribution from commercially positioned vans. In February, the division presented the new eSprinter which received highly favorable feedback from media and customers.

Compared to the first quarter of the previous year, Mercedes-Benz Mobility was able to more than double the new business volume for BEVs (battery electric vehicles) to €1.2 billion (Q1 2022: €0.5 billion). At the end of March 2023, the contract volume amounted to €131.3 billion staying at the same level as year-end 2022 (FY 2022: €132.4 billion). With €14.7 billion, the new business of Mercedes-Benz Mobility also remained at the prior-year level (Q1 2022: €14.5 billion). The adjusted EBIT decreased to €539 million (Q1 2022: €733 million) mainly impacted by higher interest rates and slightly increased investments towards a digital and seamlessly integrated customer experience within Mercedes-Benz. As a result, the adjusted Return on Equity (RoE) reached 15.6% in the quarter (Q1 2022: 20.2%).

Russia: As of this week, Mercedes-Benz successfully transferred its Russian business activities to Avtodom, a step which had no significant effects on profitability and cash flows. For Mercedes-Benz Mobility the company expects a loss in the low triple-digit million euros range, once the sale becomes effective. No significant effects are expected on liquidity and capital resources.

Outlook

With regional differences, overall growth momentum of the world economy is likely to remain rather subdued for the rest of the year. High, albeit gradually declining inflation rates in many markets combined with very restrictive monetary policies at major central banks, are likely to continue to weigh on growth. In addition, the recent turbulence in the US and European banking sectors brought new uncertainties for the further development of the global economy. Geopolitical imponderables remain another uncertainty factor. By contrast, energy prices are expected to be less volatile than in the previous year. In addition, global supply bottlenecks are expected to ease further, which should benefit the development of global automotive markets.

Overall demand: In Europe incoming orders remained sluggish in the first quarter. The current order bank supports sales in the coming months. In the United States demand continues to remain on a good level. In China momentum returned post Chinese New Year with strong demand and order intake at the end of Q1.

Unit sales at Mercedes-Benz Cars seen at the prior-year level with revenue remaining at the prior-year level. Adjusted RoS is seen at the upper end of 12%–14% and the adjusted Cash Conversion Rate at 0.8–1.0. Investments in property, plant and equipment are seen significantly above the prior-year level. Research and development expenditures are now seen significantly above the prior-year level mainly due to MB.OS, AMG.EA and MB.EA.

At Mercedes-Benz Vans, unit sales are now seen slightly above the prior-year level. Revenue is seen significantly above the prior-year level and adjusted RoS is now expected in the range of 11%–13%. The adjusted Cash Conversion Rate is expected at 0.6–0.8. Investments in property, plant and equipment are seen significantly above the prior-year level. Research and development expenditures are expected to be significantly above the prior-year level.

New business at Mercedes-Benz Mobility is seen slightly above the prior-year level. Contract volume is now expected at the prior-year level. Revenue is seen slightly below the prior-year level. The adjusted RoE is seen at 12%–14%

The Mercedes-Benz Group expects revenue at the prior-year level and EBIT slightly below the prior-year level. Free cash flow of the industrial business is expected at the prior-year level. CO₂ emissions of the new vehicle fleet in Europe are expected to be significantly below the prior-year level.^[3]

Link to press information “Sales figures Q1 2023”:

Mercedes-Benz Cars: group-media.mercedes-benz.com/Sales-Q1/cars
Mercedes-Benz Vans: group-media.mercedes-benz.com/Sales-Q1/vans

Link to capital market presentation Q1 2023: group.mercedes-benz.com/q1-2023

Further information on Mercedes-Benz Group AG is available at: group-media.mercedes-benz.com and group.mercedes-benz.com

Forward-looking statements:

This document contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current views about future events. The words “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” ”can,” “could,” “plan,” “project,” “should” and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to many risks and uncertainties, including an adverse development of global economic conditions, in particular a decline of demand in our most important markets; a deterioration of our refinancing possibilities on the credit and financial markets; events of force majeure including natural disasters, pandemics, acts of terrorism, political unrest, armed conflicts, industrial accidents and their effects on our sales, purchasing, production or financial services activities; changes in currency exchange rates, customs and foreign trade provisions; a shift in consumer preferences towards smaller, lower-margin vehicles; a possible lack of acceptance of our products or services which limits our ability to achieve prices and adequately utilize our production capacities; price increases for fuel, raw materials or energy; disruption of production due to shortages of materials or energy, labour strikes or supplier insolvencies; a decline in resale prices of used vehicles; the effective implementation of cost-reduction and efficiency-optimization measures; the business outlook for companies in which we hold a significant equity interest; the successful implementation of strategic cooperations and joint ventures; changes in laws, regulations and government policies, particularly those relating to vehicle emissions, fuel economy and safety; the resolution of pending governmental investigations or of investigations requested by governments and the outcome of pending or threatened future legal proceedings; and other risks and uncertainties, some of which are described under the heading “Risk and Opportunity Report” in this Annual Report. If any of these risks and uncertainties materializes or if the assumptions underlying any of our forward-looking statements prove to be incorrect, the actual results may be materially different from those we express or imply by such statements. We do not intend or assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements since they are based solely on the circumstances at the date of publication.

Mercedes-Benz Group at a glance

Mercedes-Benz Group AG is one of the world’s most successful automotive companies. With Mercedes-Benz AG, the Group is one of the leading global suppliers of high-end passenger cars and premium vans. Mercedes-Benz Mobility AG offers financing, leasing, car subscription and car rental, fleet management, digital services for charging and payment, insurance brokerage, as well as innovative mobility services. The company founders, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, made history by inventing the automobile in 1886. As a pioneer of automotive engineering, Mercedes-Benz sees shaping the future of mobility in a safe and sustainable way as both a motivation and obligation. The company’s focus therefore remains on innovative and green technologies as well as on safe and superior vehicles that both captivate and inspire. Mercedes-Benz continues to invest systematically in the development of efficient powertrains and sets the course for an all-electric future: The brand with the three-pointed star pursues the goal to go all-electric by 2030, where market conditions allow. Shifting from electric-first to electric-only, the world’s pre-eminent car company is accelerating toward a fully electric and software-driven future. The company’s efforts are also focused on the intelligent connectivity of its vehicles, autonomous driving and new mobility concepts as Mercedes-Benz regards it as its aspiration and obligation to live up to its responsibility to society and the environment. Mercedes-Benz sells its vehicles and services in nearly every country of the world and has production facilities in Europe, North and Latin America, Asia and Africa. In addition to Mercedes-Benz, the world’s most valuable luxury automotive brand (source: Interbrand study, 03 Nov. 2022), Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach, Mercedes-EQ and Mercedes me as well as the brands of Mercedes-Benz Mobility: Mercedes-Benz Bank, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services and Athlon. The company is listed on the Frankfurt and Stuttgart stock exchanges (ticker symbol MBG). In 2022, the Group had a workforce of around 170,000 and sold around 2.5 million vehicles. Group revenues amounted to €150.0 billion and Group EBIT to €20.5 billion.

Contacts

Andrea Berg, phone +1 917 667 2391, [email protected]
Tobias Just, +49 711 17 41341, [email protected]
Edward Taylor, +49 176 30 94 1776, [email protected]