Mercedes sales fell by 5% in Q1 2026, primarily due to the Chinese market, which collapsed by 27%. In contrast, Europe and the USA are on an upward trend.
Mercedes sold only 499,700 units in Q1 2026, of which 419,400 were passenger cars (Mercedes cars) and 80,300 were vans (Mercedes vans). Both Mercedes cars and Mercedes vans recorded a 6% decline in sales.
However, after several years of decline, sales of Mercedes electric models are growing again, up 9% globally, mainly thanks to the new Mercedes CLA. In Europe, Mercedes electric vehicle sales increased by 34%, which led to a 41% rise in combined electric and PHEV sales.
Unfortunately, the decision to withdraw Mercedes PHEV models from China—due to strong local competition—led to a slight decrease in the share of electrified vehicles (electric + PHEV) to 19% of total sales (down from 20% in Q1 2025).
Mercedes hopes that the launch of new electric models such as the CLA Shooting Brake, GLB, GLC, as well as the new electric C-Class at the end of this month, will further boost electric vehicle sales.
Sales by segment
All segments – Entry, Core, and Top-End – recorded declines in Q1 2026: 7% for Entry, 6% for Core, and 5% for Top-End.
However, Mercedes expects a rebound in the Top-End segment following the launch of the facelifted S-Class, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, and the Mercedes GLS.
The best-selling Mercedes-AMG models were the AMG CLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupe and Cabrio (+23%), and the AMG E 53 Hybrid 4MATIC+ sedan and estate.
In the Core segment, the major facelift of the Mercedes GLE/GLE Coupe is also expected to have positive effects, but only starting from summer 2026.
The Entry segment recorded the largest decline, at 7%, but a recovery is also expected here after the launch of mild hybrid versions of the new CLA and its derivatives.
Sales by region
In Europe, sales increased by 7%, mainly due to a 9% rise in the German market. Mercedes electric vehicle sales grew by 34% in Europe and 36% in Germany, and are expected to continue rising thanks to the expansion of the compact electric range with the new GLB and CLA Shooting Brake, as well as strong demand for the new GLC, whose production runs in three shifts plus additional Saturday shifts.
The American market recorded the highest growth among all regions, at 16%, driven by a strong 20% increase in the USA. Encouragingly, Top-End segment sales in the U.S. also grew, with Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Maybach sales increasing by 5% and 34% respectively in Q1 2026 compared to Q1 2025.
In Asia, sales dropped sharply by 23% due to a steep 27% decline in China. This significant drop is explained both by reduced demand for luxury products in China and by generational changes across many models aimed at the Chinese market.
Global sales were also impacted by a 14% decline in the “Rest of the World” region, particularly in Turkey and the Middle East, due to the war in Iran, which affected the entire region.
| Q1 2026 | Q1 2025 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz Group | 499,700 | 551,700 | -6% |
| – thereof BEVs | 50,400 | 45,400 | 11% |
| Mercedes-Benz Cars | 419,400 | 446,300 | -6% |
| – thereof BEVs | 44,300 | 40,700 | 9% |
| Mercedes-Benz Cars sales by segment* | |||
| – Top-End | 61,500 | 65,100 | -5% |
| – Core | 248,000 | 263,400 | -6% |
| – Entry | 109,800 | 117,800 | -7% |
| Mercedes-Benz Cars sales by regions and markets | |||
| Europe** | 158,400 | 148,700 | 7% |
| – thereof Germany | 49,300 | 9% | |
| Asia | 153,500 | 210,700 | -23% |
| – thereof China | 111,600 | -27% | |
| North America*** | 89,600 | 76,900 | 16% |
| – thereof U.S. | 81,100 | 20% | |
| Rest of World | 17,900 | 20,406 | -14% |
