Mercedes-Benz posted a 6% year-on-year decline in car sales for the first quarter, the company said, as a deep contraction in China outweighed gains in other regions. The German luxury automaker sold 419,400 cars during the quarter, while global car and van deliveries together fell 6% to 499,700 vehicles.
Regional performance diverged sharply. In China, Mercedes-Benz reported a 27% drop in car sales. The company described 2026 as a transition year in China, citing the replacement of several core models. To address market needs, Mercedes-Benz said it is broadening its Chinese lineup with vehicles that offer varied drivetrains and are equipped with China-specific premium infotainment systems and advanced driver-assistance systems.
By contrast, the U.S. market saw strong expansion, with car sales rising 20% year-on-year. Mercedes-Benz attributed part of the U.S. strength to sustained demand for high-end offerings, which lifted sales of Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Maybach models. The company also noted a strategic emphasis on localization of products and creating greater value in the U.S. region.
Europe contributed positively as well, with car sales up 7% during the same period.
Electrification trends and production notes. Battery-electric vehicle deliveries grew 9% year-on-year to 44,300 cars, a rise the company said was mainly driven by the new electric CLA. Mercedes-Benz reported that demand for the new CLA is outstripping global production capacity, with output at the Rastatt plant in Germany running at full capacity across three shifts.
Overall, the quarter presents a mixed picture: solid demand in the U.S. and Europe and rising BEV volumes contrast with a notable slump in China during a year of model replacements and portfolio adjustments. The company is pursuing product adjustments and region-specific features in China while also intensifying localization and value creation efforts in North America.
Additional context provided by the company:
- Quarterly car unit sales: 419,400 vehicles.
- Combined global car and van sales: 499,700 vehicles, down 6% year-on-year.
- China car sales: down 27%, with 2026 characterized as a transition year for model replacements.
- U.S. car sales: up 20% year-on-year, aided by demand for Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Maybach models.
- Europe car sales: up 7% year-on-year.
- Battery-electric car sales: up 9% to 44,300 units, driven mainly by the new electric CLA; Rastatt plant running at full capacity in three shifts.