BMW and Mercedes-Benz sales drop in Q1 2020

Although BMW, as well as Mercedes-Benz, have registered a de-growth in Q1 2020, this is the first time in many years that BMW (including Mini) has registered better numbers than Mercedes

The last year or so has been a difficult one for the automotive industry. While sales for the sector itself have been down, it doesn’t come as a surprise that the luxury car segment has experienced a de-growth too. In the quarter ending 31^st March, BMW registered sales of 2,482 units which includes 117 units from Mini. In the same duration last year, the Munich-based carmaker could sell, 2,822 units – 12% more than Q1 2020. Thankfully, in comparison to Q4 2019 in which the company sold 2,592 units, the start of the year doesn’t seem all that bad.

Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz too has suffered a similar fortune. In fact, with just 2,386 units sold in Q1 2020, the three-pointed star has experienced a much larger drop in numbers. In fact, even in the quarter ending 31^st December 2019, the Stuttgart-based carmaker recorded an impressive 3,871 units.

Speaking about the Q1 result, Martin Schwenk, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India commented, “We started 2020 on a high note and our existing, as well as newly launched products, continued to draw customer traction till the time sales came to a complete stop, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic situation. Saying that, these are difficult times for all of us and our main focus is to ensure the health and safety of our employees, customers, dealers, business partners and the community around us.”

The bigger news, however, is that for the first time in long, BMW’s tally reflects better numbers than that of Mercedes-Benz. That being said, the second quarter of the year, poses unprecedented challenges, not just to the luxury car segments but to the industry as a whole.

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