In 2025, Mercedes sales declined globally by 9% to 1,800,800 units; however, Mercedes G-Class sales flourished, reaching an all-time record of 49,700 units—23% more than in 2024.
If we look at global sales overall, Mercedes did not have a very good year in 2025. Worldwide passenger car sales fell by 9% to 1,800,800 units. Sales of the Top-End division—which includes AMG, G-Class, as well as the S-Class and GLS—also declined by 5% to 268,000 units.
The decline is mainly due to weak S-Class sales, as the AMG division and especially the Mercedes G-Class recorded significant growth. AMG sales increased by 7% to 145,000 units, while G-Class sales virtually exploded, registering a 23% increase to 49,700 units.
More than half of Mercedes G-Class sales are generated by the top-of-the-range AMG G 63, powered by a 4.0-liter V8 bi-turbo engine producing 585 PS and featuring 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. It has a starting price of €191,233. With options, the price easily exceeds €200,000, meaning the AMG G 63 alone generates sales of €5 billion.
The rest of the lineup is not exactly inexpensive either. The Mercedes G 450 d, with a 3.0-liter turbodiesel producing 367 PS and mild-hybrid technology, starts at €124,355, while the new G 500, with a 3.0-liter inline-six engine delivering 449 PS and 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, starts at €133,577.50.
Mercedes provides no details regarding sales of the electric version, but it is clear that it is not performing particularly well, since the G 450 d, G 500, and G 580 EQ together account for less than half of total G-Class sales.
Launched in 1979 and produced at the Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria, the Mercedes G-Class celebrated the production of its 500,000th unit in April 2023 and reached 600,000 units produced in August 2025.
At the end of last year, Magna Steyr extended its contract to produce the G-Class until 2034.
The Mercedes G-Class debuted in 1979 with the W 460 series as both a civilian and military vehicle. The W 460 series was produced from 1979 to 1991 and was available at launch with three engine options and five body styles.
In 1990–1991, the civilian and military versions were separated. The W 461 became the successor to the military version and was produced from 1992 to 2022, while the W 463 succeeded the civilian version and was produced from 1990 to 2018.
In 2018, the civilian W 463 generation underwent a major technical transformation, receiving an independent front suspension with rack-and-pinion steering instead of the recirculating ball system, modern driver-assistance systems, and a completely new electronic architecture. In addition, the new model was 121 mm wider, improving both the driving position (the steering wheel was no longer so close to the door) and on-road stability.
In 2024, the electric G 580 EQ version was introduced, although it has not enjoyed great success. This year, a cabriolet version will also appear, with the first teasers having been released recently.
In addition, a compact Mercedes G-Class is coming in 2027, which will be built on a dedicated platform and will retain the separate ladder-frame chassis and locking differentials.
