2022 Global Auto Sales: BMW Edges Mercedes-Benz, VW and Audi Fall, And More…
Mukhlis Azman
11-1-2023
2022 was set to become a recovering year for automakers, as the world was slowly yet surely phasing away from the economic recession due to the pandemic. While it is somewhat expected that most automakers are having difficulties in recuperating back to their pre-pandemic performances, some marques, especially the luxurious ones, managed to thrive beyond expectations.
Starting off in Germany, two of the nation’s biggest marques, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, saw declines in their annual sales and deliveries. The former marque managed to deliver a total of 2,100,692 units around the globe for the 2022 calendar year – about 5% lower than the previous year’s figure. Mercedes-Benz, on the other hand, sold 2,043,900 vehicles globally in the same period, albeit experiencing a slightly better downfall of only 1% compared to the previous year.
This revelation, in turn, saw BMW retaining its crown as the best-selling German premium marque in 2022, by edging Mercedes-Benz with a relatively minimal advantage of 56,792 units.
The Bavarian marque’s triumphant feat against its close-knit rival can also be seen through the local lens, where BMW Malaysia retained the crown as the country’s number one premium automotive brand for the third consecutive year in 2022. This three-peat feat saw BMW Malaysia deliver a total of 11,855 units in 2022 alone, which is about 38% more than the previous year.
Fortunately, both brands saw positive signs of recovery in the final quarter of 2022, with BMW recording a 10.6% growth in Q4 2022, while Mercedes-Benz registered a higher 17% increase in its growth compared to the third quarter of 2022.
Next in line is Volkswagen and Audi, where both brands saw decreases in their annual global sales. The former marque’s worldwide sales in 2022 were about 4.56 million units – about 6.8% less than the previous year. Audi, meanwhile, delivered about 1,614,231 vehicles worldwide, which was 3.9% lower than the previous year. The Four Rings brand’s 2022 sales performance has garnered the marque to become the third best-selling premium car brands in Germany, trailing behind the two German giants mentioned before.
Contrary to their overall sales figures, both of the brands’ EVs sales increased, with Volkswagen delivering about 330,000 EVs in 2022 alone – 23.6% more than the previous year. Audi’s e-tron EV line-up managed to garner its own fans, with 118,196 electric models sold this year, which was 42.8% higher than before.
Surprisingly (or not), demand for Audi performance models was up by 15.6% compared to the previous year, where its performance arm managed to deliver 45,515 units in 2022.
Sticking to Volkswagen Group’s passenger cars brand, Lamborghini’s stellar 2022 global sales saw them setting a new sales record. The famed Italian marque delivered a total of 9,233 vehicles worldwide, a 10% increase compared to 2021.
The bulk of Lamborghini’s 2022 sales stem from the Urus SUV, with 5,367 units delivered. The flagship SUV is being tailed by the Huracan, who clinched the second best-selling crown, with 3,113 units delivered. Lamborghini’s flagship supercar, the Aventador, closed-off its final production year by selling 753 units in total.
As for the market share, the US remained Lamborghini’s number one market, with over 2,700 vehicles delivered to the country in 2022 alone. The Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau markets settled for second-best with 1,018 units delivered, followed by Germany at 808 units. Aside from the sales growth, 2022 also saw Lamborghini growing its retail presence from 173 to 180 stores in 53 countries.
Another VW Group-affiliated performance car marque, Bugatti, has also recorded an excellent 2022 sales. The French boutique automaker manufactured a total of 80 new vehicles worldwide, which is the highest-ever production number in a single calendar year it has ever achieved in its century-long history.
Among the 80 hand-built Bugatti to roll-off its Molsheim facility last year was the 400th Chiron, as well as the final nine examples of the Chiron Super Sport 300+. Aside from the Chiron, the final 10 units of the Centodieci were also assembled and delivered.
Aside from Lamborghini and Bugatti, other luxury marques like Bentley and Rolls-Royce have also set new sales records in 2022, with the former selling over 15,000 vehicles globally, and the latter managing to break the 6,000 units mark for the first time in its entire history. Just like Lambo, both Bentley and Rolls-Royces’ best-selling models are their respective flagship SUVs, namely the Bentayga and Cullinan.
Gallery
























Written By
Mukhlis Azman
He believes that cars should be enjoyable rather than mere tools; every adult must take public transit at least once a week; and the world is best seen on two wheels. @mukhlisazman
JPJ Running Numbers
KUALA LUMPUR
VPA9317
SELANGOR
BSE2110
JOHOR
JXV8473
PULAU PINANG
PRQ325
PERAK
ANU9724
PAHANG
CFB5762
KEDAH
KGA3028
NEGERI SEMBILAN
NEF5790
KOTA KINABALU
SJK5453
KUCHING
QAB2254L
Last updated 24 Apr, 2025
Fuel Price
Petrol
RON 95
RM 2.05
RON 97
RM 3.18
RON 100
RM 5.00
VPR
RM 6.23
Diesel
EURO 5 B10
RM 2.88
EURO 5 B7
RM 3.08
Last updated 24 Apr, 2025
Related News
Launched: 2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan Facelift – From RM238,888!
Launched: 2023 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan Facelift – From RM238,888!
14-06-2023
The All New 2nd-Gen Mercedes-Benz GLC300 4Matic CBU - A Quick Tour
The All New 2nd-Gen Mercedes-Benz GLC300 4Matic CBU – 1 Variant, CBU First, RM430K
10-04-2023
Mercedes Plans To Invest Billions In E-Vehicles Plants
Mercedes will invest billions of dollars in the coming years to modernise its plants in China, Germany, and Hungary.
20-03-2023
Mercedes-Benz Celebrates Women’s Day Through Special Film Campaign #IWD2023
For International Women’s Day 2023, Mercedes-Benz introduces three women from the Mercedes-Benz family who tell their story of being the first or the only woman.
08-03-2023
Mercedes-Benz Is Experimenting With ChatGPT AI Chatbot
Mercedes-Benz recently says it will start experimenting with ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot.
01-03-2023
Mercedes-Benz Reveals New MBUX Superscreen For Next-Gen E-Class
Mercedes-Benz previews a new MBUX Superscreen tech that’s destined for the upcoming new W214-gen E-Class.
23-02-2023
Mercedes-Benz Will Preview Next Generation ‘Entry Luxury’ Compact Cars This Year
Mercedes-Benz set to preview next-generation CLA, GLA, and GLB Class compact cars models this year to form new ‘Entry Luxury’ range.
21-02-2023
Mercedes-Maybach Unveils Its First Plug-In Hybrid Model
The Mercedes-Maybach S580e is the luxury division's first plug-in hybrid model, offering a 100km electric range.
12-02-2023
Latest News
New Porsche 911 Spirit 70 Special Announced, Just 1,500 Units Planned
New Porsche 911 Spirit 70 special will see just 1,500 units made, all based on latest 992.2-gen hybrid drop-top.
23-04-2025
Auto Shanghai 2025: New 2026 Lexus ES Saloon Bows With HEV & EV Power
New 2026 Lexus ES finally debuts at Auto Shanghai 2025 with both hybrid (HEV) and full-electric (EV) powertrains.
23-04-2025
Auto Shanghai 2025: Zeekr 9X Bows As Brand’s New Flagship SUV
New Zeekr 9X bows as Geely-owned brand’s new flagship SUV, will pack “Super Electric Hybrid” powertrain tech too.
23-04-2025
BYD, Aramco Collaborate On New Energy Vehicle Technologies
BYD and Saudi Aramco and are partnering to develop new energy vehicle technology.
23-04-2025
Teased: BYD Yangwang U8L – Ultra-luxe REEV 4x4 With Up To 7 Seats?
New extended-length BYD Yangwang U8L luxury 4x4 REEV SUV teased ahead of Auto Shanghai 2025 debut.
22-04-2025
Lepas L8 SUV Rolls Off Assembly Line As New Chery Brand’s First Model
New Lepas L8 SUV model rolls off assembly line, stands as first offering from new sub-brand from Chinese automaking giant Chery.
21-04-2025
Chery Set to Showcase New Hybrid System at Auto Shanghai 2025
Chery’s new Super Hybrid system will make its debut at the upcoming Auto Shanghai 2025, alongside other lifestyle innovations.
21-04-2025
Chery Revives ‘Rely’ Pick-Up Truck Sub-Brand in China
Chery has revived its ‘Rely’ sub-brand, now focusing on pick-up trucks with powertrains ranging from ICE to EV.
21-04-2025
Show More
trending_flat