Mercedes-Benz Group AG (ticker symbol: MBG) achieved solid second-quarter results with Group Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) of €4.0 billion (Q2 2023: €5.0 billion) supported by operational efficiency and a focus on healthy sales of cars and vans in a challenging environment. The adjusted Return on Sales (RoS) at Mercedes-Benz Cars reached 10.2% (Q2 2023: 13.5%) and 17.5% (Q2 2023: 15.5%) at Mercedes-Benz Vans. Group revenue reached €36.7 billion (Q2 2023: €38.2 billion) in the quarter.
“Thanks to our desirable passenger cars and vans, Mercedes-Benz achieved double-digit margins in a challenging environment. Going forward, we continue to invest in cutting-edge products while fostering our financial resilience. Sales and the model mix are expected to improve in the second half of the year, supported by further market launches of new models particularly in the Top-End segment.”
Ola Kaellenius, Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-Benz Group AG
Investments, free cash flow, net liquidity
The free cash flow from the industrial business in the second quarter reached €1.6 billion (Q2 2023: €3.4 billion) due to the solid cash conversion rate at cars and vans. This was influenced by lower Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) and headwinds in working capital development due to higher inventory levels ahead of the expected higher H2 sales. The net liquidity from the industrial business reached €28.0 billion (end of 2023: €31.7 billion) due to the dividend payment of €5.5 billion and cash outs for share buybacks of approximately €2.8 billion in the second quarter. Since the beginning of the buyback programmes in March 2023, the company has bought back shares for €5.1 billion as of end June 30, 2024. The Group’s investments in property, plant and equipment in the second quarter totalled €0.9 billion (Q2 2023: €0.8 billion). Research and development expenditure fell to €2.3 billion (Q2 2023: €2.4 billion).
Divisional results
Adjusted Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) at Mercedes-Benz Cars reached €2.8 billion (Q2 2023: €3.8 billion) on lower sales volumes but resulted in an adjusted Return on Sales (RoS) of 10.2%, up from 9.0% in the first quarter, (Q2 2023: 13.5%) due to a focus on sales quality in a challenging environment and due to favourable material costs. Mercedes-Benz Cars unit sales reached 496,712 units in the second quarter, a plus of 7% compared to the first quarter due to improved product availability in China and the United States. Top-End Q2 sales increased by 6% compared to Q1, but remain below year-earlier levels, mainly due to model changeovers and a subdued market environment in Asia. The availability of Top-End models continues to improve with the all-new electric G-Class1 launched. Sales of the AMG CLE53, AMG E53 and AMG GLC43 models started in the second quarter. Furthermore, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class remains the undisputed market leader in its segment in all major markets. Sales in the Core segment rose by 8% in Q2 compared to previous quarter mainly driven by the E-Class and GLC, the latter of which has retained its status as the top-selling model.
The adjusted Return on Sales (RoS) for Mercedes-Benz Vans rose to 17.5% (Q2 2023: 15.5%). The lower unit sales were outweighed by healthy net pricing, and a favourable structure, as well as favourable material costs and positive foreign exchange effects. Adjusted Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) increased by 5% to €834 million (Q2 2023: €792 million). Mercedes-Benz Vans global sales reached 103,435 units in the second quarter maintaining sales at the same level as in the first quarter (-2% compared to Q1). Thus, the division achieved a strong first half-year in 2024, with Q2 influenced by model changes both in the private and commercial segment of midsize and large vans and a phased ramp up of the eSprinter.
The portfolio of Mercedes-Benz Mobility shows an increasing share of xEV vehicles (battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles) in the second quarter of 2024. As a result, more than every second electric vehicle is now leased or financed by Mercedes-Benz Mobility. Overall, the total portfolio amounted to €135.7 billion at the end of June 2024 and is thus at the same level as year-end 2023 (FY 2023: €135.0 billion). At €14.1 billion, the new business of Mercedes-Benz Mobility is below prior-year level (Q2 2023: €15.4 billion). The adjusted Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) decreased to €271 million mainly driven by a lower interest margin and higher cost of credit risk (Q2 2023: €448 million). As a result, the adjusted Return on Equity (RoE) decreased to 8.4% (Q2 2023: 12.8%).
Transformation
Battery development capacity was strengthened with a new competence centre for the development of cells and batteries, the so-called eCampus designed to develop innovative chemical compositions and optimised production processes for high-performance cells with “Mercedes-Benz DNA”. Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz made progress with rolling out its Automatic Lane Change function2 in Europe. Mercedes-Benz Auto Finance Ltd. (MBAFC), part of the Mercedes-Benz Mobility division, successfully issued its first Green Auto Loan Asset-Backed-Security (ABS) in July 2024 in the Chinese Interbank Bond Market. It is Mercedes-Benz’s first Green ABS worldwide and Mercedes-Benz is the first foreign automotive company to issue a Green Asset-Backed-Security in China.
Outlook
The economic situation and automotive markets continue to be characterised by a degree of uncertainty. In addition to unexpected macroeconomic developments, uncertainties for the global economy and the business development of Mercedes-Benz Group may arise from geopolitical events and trade policy.
The company sees unit sales of Mercedes-Benz Cars at the prior-year level, with overall sales expected to
rise in the second half of 2024, driven by the full availability of all new E-Class and GLC models and an increase in Top-End Vehicle sales.
In Europe, Mercedes-Benz sees the overall sentiment improving.
In China Mercedes-Benz has a cautious view on the macroeconomic sentiment and fierce competition in the Entry segment and to a certain extent in the Core segment. In China the company seeks to successfully defend its leading position in the Top-End Vehicle segment in a softer market environment.
In the United States, solid momentum is seen for sales and demand. A positive year-over-year development is expected for the second half of 2024 driven by sales of the GLC.
The xEV share is expected to be between 19% - 20%. Sales of plug-in hybrids are expected to increase in the second half, driven by SUVs and the full availability of the E-Class.
The adjusted Return on Sales (RoS) guidance is seen in the narrower range of 10% - 11% (previously 10%-12%). Mercedes-Benz expects an increase in sales volumes and an improved model mix in the second half of the year. Mercedes-Benz also seeks to hold and defend pricing at current levels. The company sees some normalization of the used vehicle business which overall remains on a healthy level. Investments in property plant & equipment, research & development expenditure and the adjusted Cash Conversion Rate (CCR) are seen unchanged at 0.8 to 1.0.
Mercedes-Benz Vans raises its adjusted Return on Sales (RoS) guidance to 14%-15% (previously 12% - 14%) given continued healthy net pricing and favourable structure supported by comprehensive cost reductions. The Vans division is currently in a sweet spot with regards to product lifecycle. The company expects a healthy return on sales in H2 but influenced by increasing costs for the new VAN.EA platform. Considering current macro developments and uncertainties with regard to H2, the company remains prudent and takes a cautious view. Market demand is expected to soften in the private and commercial van segments in H2. As the EV markets ease, the xEV share is now seen at 5% - 7%. The full year guidance on sales, research & development expenditure, investments in property plant & equipment as well as the adjusted CCR remain unchanged.
Due to the demanding market environment and interest rates which are remaining higher for longer, Mercedes-Benz Mobility now expects the adjusted Return on Equity (RoE) for the division in the range of 8.5% - 9.5% for the full year (previously 10%-12%). Coming from an adjusted Return on Equity (RoE) of 8.5% in H1 the company expects a flat portfolio margin in H2. Improving cost of credit risk will be partially outweighed by further increasing ramp up costs for charging infrastructure and a challenging market environment especially in China. Mercedes-Benz Mobility will continue to work on efficiencies.
The Mercedes-Benz Group confirms its group guidance. Group revenue is expected to remain at the prior- year level with Mercedes-Benz Cars, Mercedes-Benz Vans and Mercedes-Benz Mobility revenue forecasts unchanged. Group EBIT is expected to be slightly below the prior-year level, resulting out of the divisional guidance, with the guidance raise at Vans balancing out Mercedes-Benz Mobility. Group free cash flow from the industrial business is seen slightly below the very strong levels from 2023.
Link to press information “Sales figures Q2 2024”: media.mercedes-benz.com/sales
Link to capital market presentation Q2 2024: group.mercedes-benz.com/q2-2024/en
[1] Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology | energy consumption combined: 30.3-27.7 kWh/100 km | CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km | CO₂ class: A. The specified values were determined in accordance with the WLTP (Worldwide harmonised Light vehicles Test Procedure) measurement method. The ranges given refer to ECE markets. The energy consumption and CO₂ emissions of a car depend not only on the efficient utilisation of the fuel or energy source by the car, but also on the driving style and other non-technical factors.
[2] MBUX Navigation is a prerequisite. The driving assistance and safety systems from Mercedes-Benz are merely aids, and do not relieve the driver of responsibility. The driver must observe the information in the Owner's Manual and the system limitations described therein.
