The Stuttgart car manufacturer Mercedes Benz once again sold fewer vehicles in the first quarter than in the same quarter of the previous year. Between January and March, Mercedes-Benz sold 499,700 cars and vans, which, according to the group, corresponds to a total decline of six percent compared to the same quarter of the previous year. The reason is declining sales figures in China.

Van sales fell by three percent; Mercedes sold 80,300 vehicles in the first quarter. With 419,400 vehicles sold, passenger car sales alone fell by six percent compared to the same quarter last year. The main reason is the poor sales China. Mercedes-Benz sold 27 percent fewer cars here than in the same period last year.

According to the group, car sales without China actually rose by five percent – due to a significant increase in sales figures in some cases Europe and the USA. But car sales have been declining for a long time: sales stagnated in 2023, the decline was three percent in 2024, and even nine percent in 2025. Recently, profits also plummeted.

In the medium term, the company wants to achieve sales of around two million vehicles in the passenger car division. According to the group, numerous new models should help an increase in the top-end segment, which includes the high-priced S and G class cars. There will also be a successor to the outgoing A-Class in the entry-level segment.