Mercedes-Benz Q2 Global Sales Drop 6% in 2026; China Sales Plunge 30%, but EVs Surge 50%

In the second quarter of 2026, Mercedes-Benz Group delivered a total of 511,900 passenger cars and light commercial vehicles globally, down 6% year-over-year. Passenger car deliveries amounted to 417,800 units, an 8% decline compared to the same period last year. China emerged as the primary drag on sales, with quarterly deliveries in the country plunging 30% year-over-year to 98,600 units—significantly steeper than the global average decline. Despite overall sales pressure, Mercedes-Benz’s all-electric models posted strong performance, with global deliveries reaching 63,000 units, up 50% year-over-year. However, this growth was insufficient to offset the continued decline in internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle sales. In China, Mercedes-Benz faces intense competition from domestic new energy vehicle (NEV) brands, particularly in the RMB 300,000–500,000 price segment, where Li Auto, Aito, NIO, Zeekr, and others are rapidly gaining market share. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz’s EQ-series all-electric models have underperformed due to relatively high pricing and insufficient product competitiveness. Although the brand has significantly increased discounts on its core ICE models—such as the C-Class, E-Class, and GLC—it has struggled to reverse the downward sales trend. Data shows that Mercedes-Benz sold 575,000 vehicles in China in 2025, down more than 25% from its record high of 774,000 units in 2020, bringing its sales volume back to levels seen roughly seven to eight years ago.