Another year came to an end, and car manufacturers are adding up their sales and profit. In 2022, we laughed at the enlarged kidney grilles of the BMW, among other questionable features. So to some gearheads it may come as a surprise that BMW vehicles are selling better than ever and almost as well as in 2021.
BMW Group had sold, counting all of its four brands (BMW, Mini, Rolls-Royce, and BMW Motorrad, their motorcycle brand), a total of 2,399,636 units in 2022, overall a 4.8% decrease from 2021, their most successful year so far, when BMW Group sold over 2.5 million vehicles (2.2 million being BMW and the rest other BMW Group brands.)
What was it that made the Bavarian carmaker so popular all over the world in 2022? And where is Mercedes-Benz' place?
BMW Vs Mercedes-Benz Sales In 2022
Sales of BMW electric vehicles more than doubled in the previous year, totaling 215,755 units. Member of the Board Management Pieter Nota notes that BMW's goal for 2023 is making 15% of its sales from fully-electric vehicles. BMW has a giant manufacturing network consisting of over 30 factories in different countries and a sales network covering more than 140.
As for Mercedes, despite failing to reach the BMW sales numbers, its sales are still nothing short of impressive. In the previous year, Mercedes-Benz sold a total of 2,043,900 units, a decrease of 1% from 2021. The sales of EVs, their hybrid and electric models, reached 117,800 units, an astonishing increase of +124%.
Mercedes sold many of its more luxurious models (like those produced by Mercedes-AMG or Mercedes-Maybach) in Japan, Korea, the Middle East, and China. The S-Class is selling 5% better than last year, with the new EQS drawing a lot of attention from Top-End customers.
The top-selling model by the Stuttgart-based brand in the previous year was the GLC, with almost 350,000 models in the hands of happy owners. The top-selling fully-electric model was the EQA, with 33,100 units. Mercedes-Benz vans sales saw a 4% increase since the previous period.
Why Are People Loving BMW Cars?
Both Mercedes and BMW groups offer a wide range of models for different needs (although only Mercedes currently makes vans). The prices are similar for equivalent classes of vehicles due to both brands already having a good reputation and primarily making luxury vehicles.
Let's be honest- if you're looking for an affordable vehicle, nobody will recommend a brand-new BMW (the 2023 2-series already starts at $38,200 MSRP). But for the higher price, you'll get comfort, performance, and - as should be obvious- a high level of luxury.
In terms of performance cars, BMW has some great entry-level options, and it's not the most luxurious, least affordable brand out there judging by the high number of sales.
The official BMW M site sums up the M4 Coupe in "5 Powerful Facts": the car reaches 0-60mph in a mere 3.4 seconds, has a maximum output of 510 hp and 650 Nm of torque with its 6-cylinder inline TwinPower Turbo engine, and offers great driving dynamics thanks to the M xDrive system.
The transmission features an 8-speed M Steptronic Sport transmission. All in all, this and other BMW M and regular models scream performance and power, which is one of the reasons BMW has such a large following. M4 Competition Coupe with M xDrive promises a combined consumption of about 23 MPG, which is not bad considering the large engine and massive amounts of power it produces.
Although not everyone is a fan of BMW's interior and exterior design choices, the dynamically shaped digital instrument cluster, ergonomic shifter handle, low-slung profile, and even the enlarged classic kidney grilles on some models still have many fans- and subsequently buyers.
Mercedes-Benz Is A Strong Competitor For BMW In 2023
On the other end, Mercedes-Benz perhaps hasn't been as experimental and extravagant as its competitor - making the brand a solid choice for a number of buyers.
Their A-Class Sedan starts at $33,950, making it more affordable than the smallest BMW model. The difference isn't staggering, and the A-Class maintains its status as an entry-level luxury car. The AMG models have a significant increase in price- as the performance-oriented variants.
The AMG C 43 Coupe, starting at $60,500, has a very threatening exterior appearance, justified by the model's 4.5-second acceleration from 0 to 60mph, AMG-Enhanced 3.0L Biturbo V6 engine, 385 hp, and a 9-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT® automatic transmission. The car, being high-performance, offers a not-too-high MPG value, at 19 MPG for city rides and 28 MPG on highways.
Overall, putting marketing aside, both brands are a close match- but buyers might choose BMW models seeing them as more aggressive, stylish, and having good MPG in high-performance vehicles, among other personal preferences.