Mercedes-Benz reports second-quarter sales decline amid challenges in China

Mercedes-Benz reported an 8 percent decline in global car sales for the second quarter of 2026, totaling 417,800 vehicles. This downturn was largely driven by a 30 percent drop in sales within the Chinese market, which the company attributed to intense competition, model transitions, and cautious consumer sentiment. Conversely, the company experienced sales growth of 10 percent in the United States and 4 percent in Europe. Battery-electric vehicle (EV) sales showed strong performance, rising by approximately 50 percent to reach 63,000 units, according to some reports, or 52,900 units globally as stated in other company data. Specifically, European EV sales increased by 87 percent to 43,500 units, with near-doubling growth noted in Germany. This development follows a similar trend seen with competitor BMW, which recently lowered its margin forecasts due to market difficulties in China. Despite the regional challenges, Mercedes-Benz maintains that China remains a central part of its long-term strategy.