BERLIN, July 10 Reuters BMW on Tuesday reported the strongest sales among Germany39;s top three premium carmakers and was the only brand to significantly boost batteryelectric deliveries, as MercedesBenz and Porsche struggled with low demand.

BMW saw a 2.3 rise in total sales in the first half of the year to almost 1.1 million vehicles, with batteryelectric sales surging 34 to a total of nearly 180,000 cars.

MercedesBenz sold roughly half as many batteryelectric cars at 93,400, a 17 drop from a year ago. Total sales by MercedesBenz core brand dropped 6 to 960,000.

The rampup of electric vehicles slowed in key markets, while the company focused on healthy growth in a market environment characterised by heavy discounting, Mercedes said in a statement.

Carmakers have been slashing prices of electric vehicles particularly in China in an attempt to boost sales amid dampened demand and rising competition as carmakers broaden their electric lineups.

Both Porsche and MercedesBenz, as well as Volkswagen39;s premium brand Audi, have said upcoming model launches would help make up lost ground and boost sales. Audi sales fell in the first six months of the year by 8 to 833,000 vehicles, with batteryelectric sales up by just 1.3.

Porsche, which sells a lower volume of higherpriced cars, saw sales drop 7 to just 155,900 vehicles with a particularly steep drop of a third in China.

Analysts said after a preclose call with Porsche AG executives on Tuesday that revenue should…