- Mercedes-Benz deliveries fell 6% to 511,900 in Q2, driven by a 30% slump in China passenger sales.
- BEV shipments surged 51% to 52,900 and EV penetration rose to 13% of Mercedes passenger sales.
- Mercedes-Benz will roll out China-focused EV and premium upgrades to combat intensifying local competition.
On July 8, Mercedes-Benz released its second-quarter 2026 sales figures.
Mercedes-Benz Group delivered 511,900 vehicles globally in the quarter, down 6% year on year but up 2% from the previous quarter. Passenger vehicle sales totaled 417,800 units, down 8% year on year.
The China market was the biggest drag on Mercedes-Benz’s second-quarter performance.
Passenger vehicle sales in China fell 30% to 98,600 units, significantly underperforming other major regions.
By comparison, passenger vehicle sales in Europe increased 4% year on year, while sales in the United States rose 10%. Total deliveries across North America grew 13%.
Mercedes-Benz attributed the decline in China to weaker overall market conditions, a challenging macroeconomic environment, intensifying industry competition, and the current ramp-up pace of new vehicle production.
Excluding China, Mercedes-Benz’s overall performance remained relatively resilient in the second quarter.
The company said sales of passenger cars and commercial vehicles outside China increased 3% year on year, with passenger vehicle sales rising 2%.
Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz’s electric vehicle business emerged as a key growth area amid changes in its sales mix.
In the second quarter, global sales of Mercedes-Benz battery electric vehicles (BEVs) reached 52,900 units, up 51% year on year. BEV sales in Europe increased 87%, becoming the primary growth driver.
As new EQ models gradually entered the market, the BEV penetration rate among Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles worldwide rose to 13%, up from 7.7% in the same period of 2025.
Including both BEVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Mercedes-Benz sold 87,500 electrified vehicles globally in the second quarter, accounting for around 21% of total sales. In Europe, the combined share of BEVs and PHEVs increased further to 43%.
However, compared with China’s rapidly shifting new energy vehicle market, where competition is increasingly centered on intelligence and software capabilities, Mercedes-Benz continues to face significant pressure in China.
In response to changing market conditions, Mercedes-Benz plans to launch several China-focused models in the second half of the year, including the long-wheelbase electric GLC L, updated S-Class, Maybach S-Class, and the all-new GLE.
Some of these models will receive upgrades tailored to Chinese consumer preferences, including enhanced intelligent cockpit systems, AI-powered cockpit functions, and advanced driver assistance features.
Mercedes-Benz is scheduled to release its full second-quarter financial results, including revenue and profit figures, at the end of July.
The report is expected to provide further details on the company’s electrification investments, profitability changes, and China market performance.
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