Mercedes-Benz car sales fell 8% in the third quarter to 407,200 vehicles, driven by a 31% drop in China, its largest market. Global car and van sales fell 6% to 491,700 vehicles. However, electric-vehicle sales surged 61% to 68,400 units, marking the highest quarterly battery-electric sales in company history, led by the electric GLC.
Sales chief Mathias Geisen noted that new electric models including the GLC, CLA, GLB, and GLA are sold out in Europe through year-end, with order books extending into 2027. Plants in Bremen, Rastatt, and Kecskemet are running three-shift schedules to meet demand. In China, the GLC and E-Class remained resilient, accounting for nearly two-thirds of sales.
The new electric GLC L, launched in July, and the locally produced GLE L SUV, introduced in September, are performing well. U.S. car sales rose 6%, supported by refreshed SUV models including the GLE, GLE Coupe, and GLS. European sales increased 5%, with strong growth in Germany and the U.K.
Source: Wall Street Journal US Business · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing