Mercedes CFO Warns of Tougher Measures After Weak Q3

The German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz faces a stark reality. Its profits have nosedived by half in the third quarter of 2024.

This sharp decline has prompted the company to take swift action. Mercedes-Benz now plans to ramp up its cost-cutting measures. The automotive giant’s financial woes stem from several factors.

Weak demand in key markets has hit the company hard. China, once a goldmine for luxury car sales, now presents fierce competition. Local manufacturers there are giving Mercedes-Benz a run for its money.

Harald Wilhelm, the company’s Chief Financial Officer, didn’t mince words. He admitted that the third-quarter results fell short of expectations. Wilhelm emphasized the need for more aggressive cost reductions.

The company aims to trim expenses across all areas of its business. This isn’t Mercedes-Benz’s first attempt at belt-tightening. Back in 2020, the carmaker set an ambitious goal.

It planned to slash costs by 20% between 2019 and 2025. So far, they’ve achieved about 15–16% of this target. But recent events have shown that more needs to be done.

Mercedes-Benz Faces Challenges

The numbers paint a grim picture. The car division’s adjusted return on sales plummeted to 4.7%. This marks a significant drop from 12.4% in the previous year.

It’s the worst profitability the company has seen since the pandemic struck. Investors are taking notice of these troubling trends. Union Investment, a major stakeholder, has called for change.

They believe the current strategy needs adjustment. The investor group questions whether there’s still a market for two million luxury cars.

Mercedes-Benz isn’t sitting idle in the face of these challenges. The company is pushing hard into the electric vehicle market. They aim to have electric cars make up 18–19% of their sales in 2024.

New electric models are in the pipeline for their high-end brands. The automaker is also rethinking how it sells cars. A direct-to-consumer approach is being rolled out in more markets.

This strategy could help cut costs and improve profit margins. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz is investing in charging infrastructure to support its electric push.

Looking ahead, the company expects some bumps in the road. They predict full-year car sales will be slightly lower than in 2023.

In addition, the fourth quarter is likely to mirror the disappointing results of the third quarter. As Mercedes-Benz navigates these turbulent times, all eyes are on its next moves.

The success of its cost-cutting measures and strategic shifts will be crucial. These actions will determine whether the luxury carmaker can regain its financial footing in a rapidly changing industry.

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