FRANKFURT, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- The 2022 annual report of Mercedes-Benz Group AG published on Friday showed a modest increase in the German carmaker's unit sales and profitability.
Last year, Mercedes sold 2.45 million vehicles, against 2.32 million vehicles in 2021. The company's EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) rose by 28 percent year-on-year to 20.5 billion euros (21.8 billion U.S. dollars).
"We have redesigned Mercedes-Benz to be a more profitable company thanks to our focus on desirable products and disciplined margin and cost management. We cannot control macro or world events, but 2022 is a case in point that we are moving in the right direction," said Ola Kaellenius, the company's chief executive officer.
The focus on high-end passenger cars and premium vans along with tightened cost control contributed to the improved profitability, the company said in a press release.
The leading high-end vehicle producer is in full swing to scale up the production of zero-emission vehicles at a time when markets across the world are embracing new-energy vehicles that are believed to play a crucial role in bringing down emissions.
In 2021, the company announced its intention to electrify its whole fleet by 2030.
The European Parliament on Tuesday approved a law to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the European Union from 2035. ■
