Mercedes-Benz (MBGAF) has reported an 8% year-on-year decline in Q2 car sales, with an especially significant 30% drop in China, one of its largest markets by volume. Elsewhere, sales in North America and Europe increased.
For years now, China has been an important profit driver for the German automaker, but the 30% decline in that market has overshadowed growth in other key markets. It adds to growing struggles for German luxury automakers in China, where domestic rivals have rapidly gained ground.
Luxury automakers in China have historically relied on strong pricing power and elevated brand cachet, but those advantages have been gradually eroded as domestic automakers offer comparable technology and luxury at much lower prices.
This trend has forced luxury brands to revise their strategies to remain competitive.
China decline contrasts with growth elsewhere
Mercedes-Benz Cars sold a total of 417,800 vehicles in Q2 2026, down by 8% overall. Europe (+4%) and North America (+13%) saw increases, but Asia (-27%) was dragged down by China’s poor performance.
Mercedes’ Top-End range of cars declined by 10% globally in Q2, the segment that accounts for its most profitable sedans and SUVs. The Core range (-9%) and Entry range (-4%) were also down.
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The company saw a promising improvement in sales of fully electric models, though. The company sold 52,900 of these in Q2, up by 51%.
Mercedes attributed the decline in China to “an intensifying competitive environment and the timing of the company’s current product ramp-ups.”
The German marque’s performance outside China increased by 5%, indicating that its troubles are largely confined to one major market.
Mercedes-Benz
The luxury car market in China is changing
German automakers are no longer dominating in China as they once did. Not only are local brands proving difficult to compete with, but the spending power of affluent Chinese buyers is also trending downward.
A property crisis in China has weakened demand for expensive luxury cars, with real estate values dropping in the region, reports Bloomberg.
Car buyers in China looking for the latest new-car technologies and designs also have multiple options from cheaper local brands such as BYD.
Related: China’s new EV numbers just delivered strong message to U.S.
Chinese manufacturers have priced their vehicles lower than legacy brands, and shorter development cycles allow them to bring the latest tech to market sooner.
Mercedes-Benz is not alone in facing these challenging market conditions.
BMW lowered its outlook for 2026 after a substantial decline in China sales. Slow sales have also led to Porsche closing four regional dealerships in China, reports CarNewsChina.
The drop in sales for Mercedes is part of a larger shift in the industry, not a temporary blip.
Winning back China won’t be easy
Mercedes-Benz still commands premium pricing in major markets across the globe. Demand in Europe and North America remains strong, and it has seen an especially healthy increase in EV sales in Q2.
Despite this, the automaker’s future profitability depends on how it responds to what’s unfolding in China. One aspect of this strategy will be adapting models specifically for this market.
Mercedes said recently that it was bolstering efforts to produce “100% China-fit products,” according to Reuters. That will include launching more long-wheelbase versions of Mercedes models, as such derivatives are popular in the region.
Ultimately, solid growth in North America and Europe can’t entirely offset weakening demand in China.
Investors will be watching to see if Mercedes can regain its momentum in China, which may greatly impact its earnings over the remainder of the decade.
Related: Tesla is doing in China what it couldn’t do in the U.S.