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Auto Sales · China Market · Luxury Vehicles · Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz Group AG reported a 6% decline in global car sales for the first quarter of 2026, totaling 419,400 vehicles, primarily due to a substantial 27% sales drop in China, its largest market, despite strong growth in the U.S. and Europe.
Global car and van sales also fell 6% to 499,700 vehicles, as stated by Dow Jones. The German luxury automaker attributed the significant decline in China to macroeconomic uncertainties, challenging market conditions, and a transition year involving the replacement of several key models.
Mercedes-Benz is actively expanding its China portfolio with diverse drivetrains and country-specific infotainment and driver-assistance systems. Conversely, U.S. car sales surged by 20% year-over-year, driven by robust demand for top-end Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Maybach models, prompting the company to increase focus on product localization and value creation in the region.
European sales also saw a 7% increase. Battery-electric car sales globally increased by 9% year-over-year to 44,300 units, largely propelled by the new electric CLA model, which is experiencing demand exceeding production capacity at its Rastatt plant in Germany, operating at full three-shift capacity.
The article was published on April 9, 2026, and written by Dominic Chopping.
