Mercedes-Benz Group has reported a 9% decrease in sales for the second quarter (Q2), selling 547,100 cars and vans, despite - what it said is strong customer demand and electric vehicle (EV) growth.
The company said underlying customer demand for Mercedes-Benz Cars remained robust, particularly in the US and Germany, with (retail) deliveries rising by 26% and 7% respectively.
The company said it managed deliveries to dealerships to navigate new global tariff policies, which notably affected its overall sales in the US (-12%) and China (-19%).
Mercedes-Benz Cars experienced a 9% decline in sales during Q2, with 453,700 cars sold.
Mercedes said 'Top-End' accounted for 14.3% of overall sales, with deliveries to customers up by 5%, reaching 69,000 units, fuelled by a 19% increase in Mercedes-AMG vehicles and a 56% rise in G-Class sales.
The GLC model maintained its position as the top-selling car globally in the first half of 2025, with sales rising by 9% in Q2.
The new CLE model saw a 30% increase in Q2 sales and a 66% rise in the first half of the year.
Plug-in-hybrid sales globally increased by 34% in Q2, with electrified vehicles (xEVs) accounting for 40% of sales in Europe and 21% globally during the quarter.
Mercedes-Benz is embarking on a multi-year product and technology launch campaign starting in 2025, with the introduction of the all-new CLA in Europe and further model releases planned throughout the year.
The all-new electric GLC is set to be unveiled in September, bolstering the company's electric vehicle portfolio in the mid-size segment.
Customer deliveries increased by 18% this quarter, with German retail sales up by 27% due to “strong” demand.
Mercedes-Benz Vans sold 93,400 units in Q2, with a 32% year-on-year rise in eVans sales, contributing to 7% of overall sales and 10% of European sales.
Mercedes-Benz Vans also secured the largest single order of eVans to date, with 5,000 electric vans to be delivered to Amazon's transportation network.
Commercial segment sales represented 82% of total sales in the first half of the year, highlighting the importance of commercial vans. Private vans accounted for 18% of sales.
Mercedes Benz Group board of management member Mathias Geisen said: “Overall, we see good customer demand in the U.S. and Germany for our products including our Top-End vehicles, despite tariffs impacting our global sales in the second quarter.
“In China, in a highly competitive environment, we could keep the number one position in the Top-End luxury segment in the first half of the year. The all-new CLA received very positive feedback.”
Last month, Mercedes-Benz initiated a new phase in automotive manufacturing with the start of the new CLA model's production at the Rastatt plant in Germany.
