By Dominic Chopping
Mercedes-Benz car sales fell in the first quarter as strong growth in the U.S. and Europe only partially offset a hefty sales drop in China, macroeconomic uncertainties and challenging market conditions.
The German luxury automaker's car sales fell 6% to 419,400 vehicles while global car and van sales fell 6% to 499,700 vehicles, it said Thursday.
Car sales in China--its largest market--fell 27%, with the company noting that 2026 is a transition year in the country as it replaces several key models. It is expanding its China portfolio of vehicles with different drivetrains and equipping them with China-specific premium infotainment systems and advanced driver-assistance systems.
In the U.S., car sales rose 20% on year. Continued demand for top-end vehicles in the country drove higher sales of Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Maybach models, and the company said it is now placing even greater focus on the localization of products and value creation in the region.
Sales in Europe increased 7%.
The company said battery-electric car sales increased by 9% on year to 44,300 cars, mainly driven by the new electric CLA. Demand for the new model is exceeding global production capacities and output is running at full capacity in three shifts at its Rastatt plant in Germany.
Write to Dominic Chopping at dominic.chopping@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
04-09-26 0619ET
