Mercedes-Benz Group announced on Tuesday that its sales in the third quarter of 2025 fell 12% from the corresponding quarter last year to 525,300 vehicles, dragged by declines in key markets such as China and the United States.
However, deliveries of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) rose 9% year-on-year to 51,200 units, reflecting growing demand for the company’s electrified portfolio.
| Category | Q3 2025 | Change vs Q2 2025 | Change vs Q3 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz Group | 525,300 | -4% | -12% |
| – thereof BEVs | 51,200 | +22% | +9% |
| Mercedes-Benz Cars | 441,500 | -3% | -12% |
| – thereof BEVs | 42,600 | +22% | 0% |
| – thereof xEVs | 96,300 | +3% | +10% |
Mercedes-Benz sales across regions
The company said Mercedes-Benz Cars delivered 441,500 vehicles during the period, down 12% compared to the same quarter last year.
The decline was driven primarily by a 27% drop in China and a 17% fall in the United States, while Europe posted a 2% rise and South America surged 45%.
Within Europe, sales rose 3% in Germany, 5% in Spain, and 20% in Poland.
Mercedes-Benz also saw notable growth in other key markets such as the Gulf States (+33%), Turkey (+15%), and South America (+45%), partially cushioning the overall decline in global volumes.
Top-end vehicle segment gains momentum
Despite the broader downturn, Mercedes-Benz’s Top-End Vehicle segment recorded a 10% year-on-year increase to 67,800 units, representing 15.4% of total sales.
The S-Class product family performed particularly well, rising 11% from the previous quarter and 9% from a year earlier to 28,300 units.
Every third S-Class sold globally during the quarter was a Mercedes-Maybach model.
Strong demand for Mercedes-AMG and G-Class vehicles continued, with sales up 6% and 31%, respectively, underscoring a resilient appetite for high-margin luxury and performance cars even as overall sales volumes softened.
Electric and hybrid deliveries expand
Battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales advanced 22% quarter-on-quarter, driven by the initial deliveries of the electric CLA in Europe.
Plug-in hybrid sales climbed 20%, pushing total xEV deliveries to 96,300 units, up 10% year-on-year.
The company’s electrification strategy continues to offset part of the decline in internal combustion models, though broader economic headwinds and pricing pressure in Asia remain a drag on total performance.
China competition and tariff concerns
Mercedes-Benz’s steep sales drop in China underscored the challenges faced by foreign automakers in the world’s largest auto market, where local manufacturers such as BYD Co. and Xiaomi Corp. are rapidly gaining share through competitively priced, feature-rich electric cars.
The company’s performance in the US was also hindered by 17% lower shipments, attributed to uncertainty around tariffs under President Donald Trump’s administration, which dampened demand for imported vehicles.
German peers BMW AG and Porsche AG are experiencing similar pressures in China, as aggressive pricing and intense competition continue to erode margins across the luxury segment.
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