The profit of Mercedes Benz fell by almost half last year. Compared to the previous year, the consolidated result for 2025 fell by around 49 percent from 10.4 billion euros to 5.3 billion euros, said the Stuttgart car manufacturer. Sales therefore fell by nine percent from 145.6 to 133.2 billion euros.
“Development was impacted by global tariffs, negative exchange rate effects and intense competition in China,” the company said. In China it shrank Sales volume therefore particularly strong with a decline of 19 percent. The country is the most important market for the group; almost a third of all cars are sold there. Global sales of cars and Mercedes vans fell from 2.39 to 2.16 million units compared to 2024.
According to the company, the declines correspond to previously expected values. Analysts surveyed by the Reuters news agency had expected sales of 134 billion euros and operating profit before interest and taxes of 6.6 billion euros. The latter value was 5.8 billion euros last year, well below analysts’ expectations.
63 percent less profit within two years
The group’s key figures have fallen significantly for the second year in a row: Compared to 2023 (PDF), sales and the number of vehicles sold fell by 13 percent, and profit after taxes even fell by 63 percent (2023: 14.5 billion euros).
Mercedes-Benz also announced that savings of more than 3.5 billion euros could have compensated for part of the loss of profits. The company had already done so more than a year ago announced an austerity programunder which production costs are expected to fall by ten percent by 2027. Fixed costs are also expected to fall by ten percent by 2027. To this end, the group set up a severance pay program for employees outside of production.
Mercedes boss Ola Källenius was optimistic. This year he expects sales to be at the level of 2025, he said. Earnings before taxes, on the other hand, should be significantly higher.
