Mercedes-Benz Group reported total global sales of 547,100 cars and vans in the second quarter of 2025, reflecting a 9% decline from the first quarter. The dip was largely attributed to the company’s strategic stock management aimed at mitigating the effects of new and evolving global tariff policies, which have particularly affected sales in the United States and China.
Despite this, customer demand remained strong in key markets, notably the U.S. and Germany, where retail deliveries to customers rose 26% and 7%, respectively.
Mercedes-Benz Cars delivered 453,700 vehicles during Q2, also down 9% compared to the previous quarter. The company attributed the decline not to a lack of consumer interest, but to deliberate adjustments in deliveries to dealerships to avoid overexposure to tariff-driven cost pressures.
According to the company, this tactical decision helped preserve brand value and inventory balance amid a dynamic and challenging international trade landscape.
Total retail deliveries for Mercedes-Benz Cars hit 464,600 units in Q2, underscoring the continued strength of the brand among end consumers.
In particular, the U.S. market emerged as a growth leader, driven by sustained appetite for high-end models such as Mercedes-AMG and the G-Class. The G-Class alone saw a remarkable 56% surge in customer deliveries, while AMG models rose by 19%.
As a result, the Top-End Vehicle segment grew by 5% to reach 69,000 units in Q2, representing 14.3% of total sales. The company also reinforced its second-place market position in the U.S. with significant brand investments, including upgrades to its Manhattan brand center.
In China, one of the most competitive automotive markets in the world, Mercedes-Benz successfully retained its number one position in the Top-End luxury segment for the first half of the year, despite facing intensified market pressures and the effects of changing trade rules.
Among Mercedes-Benz models, the GLC retained its title as the company’s best-selling vehicle globally for the first half of 2025, with sales growing by 9% in the second quarter.
The recently introduced CLE also performed strongly, recording a 30% jump in Q2 and a 66% increase for the first six months of the year. Another notable product highlight was the all-new CLA, which debuted in Europe during Q2. The model received strong positive feedback and generated encouraging momentum in incoming customer orders, signaling a healthy outlook for the remainder of the year.
Electrification remained a major area of growth. The share of electrified vehicles (xEVs) in Europe reached 40% in Q2, as global Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) sales climbed 34% year-on-year. On a global scale, xEVs represented 21% of Mercedes-Benz Cars’ Q2 sales.
Looking ahead, Mercedes-Benz plans to maintain its momentum through a multi-year product and technology launch campaign beginning this year. The next major milestone will be the reveal of the all-new electric GLC in September, which will further strengthen the company’s EV portfolio in the mid-size segment.
Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz Vans delivered 93,400 vehicles in Q2, reflecting a solid 13% increase from the first quarter of 2025. The growth was attributed to improved momentum in both private and commercial segments.
Demand for electric vans (eVans) was particularly strong, with a 32% year-on-year increase, lifting their share to 7% of global van sales and 10% in Europe. German retail van sales were up 27% in the quarter, signaling strong domestic performance.
In a major customer milestone, Mercedes-Benz Vans also secured its largest ever single order for electric vans: a 5,000-unit deal with Amazon’s transportation network, to be fulfilled in the coming months.
For the first half of 2025, commercial vans made up 82% of total van sales, while private vans accounted for 18%. The company aims to further strengthen its presence in the private segment in early 2026 with the launch of the new VLE. This model recently completed a long-distance efficiency test, traveling nearly 1,100 kilometers from Stuttgart to Rome with just two 15-minute charging stops.
Shahriena Shukri is a journalist covering business and economic news in Malaysia, providing insights on market trends, corporate developments, and financial policies. More about Shahriena Shukri.
