{
  "id": 12633061,
  "title": "Mercedes global sales fall 6% as electric car sales hit record high",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/mercedes-global-sales-fall-6-as-electric-car-sales-hit-record-high",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-07T13:04:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euronews",
    "slug": "euronews",
    "url": "https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/07/mercedes-global-sales-fall-6-as-electric-car-sales-hit-record-high"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mercedes-Benz reported a 6% decline in global car sales for the third quarter of 2026, with electric vehicle (EV) sales setting a record high. The German automaker sold 491,700 cars and vans worldwide, marking a 6% decrease compared to the same period last year. Growth in Europe and North America, combined with record-setting battery-electric vehicle sales, failed to counteract the struggles in China.\n\nChina's car sales dropped by 31% year-on-year, with a total of 132,300 vehicles sold. This decline was primarily attributed to increased competition and challenging market conditions. Mercedes-Benz's GLC and E-Class models were the best-performing in the Chinese market, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the company's sales in the country.\n\nExcluding China, Mercedes-Benz's group sales increased by 2%, with car sales alone rising 1%. In Europe and North America, the company saw growth in EV sales, with global battery-electric vehicle sales rising 61% year-on-year to 68,400 vehicles. In Europe, Mercedes-Benz Cars achieved record quarterly BEV sales, up 78% year-on-year and 24% compared to the second quarter. The company's plants in Bremen, Rastatt, and Kecskemét were operating on three-shift schedules to meet the surging demand.\n\nRecord 16.8% of global car sales were fully electric vehicles, a 7.2 percentage point increase from the previous quarter. Overall European car sales rose 5% to 168,700 vehicles, mainly due to growth in Germany and the UK. In North America, Mercedes-Benz Cars sales increased by 4% to 83,200 vehicles, with US sales rising 6% during the period. For the first nine months of 2026, the company sold 1,244,400 cars, a 7% decrease compared to the same period a year earlier, while sales of fully electric cars rose 40% to 165,500 units.",
  "summary": "Mercedes-Benz shares fell after the German carmaker reported a 6% fall in global sales, driven by weakness in China. Sales outside China edged higher, supported by growth in Europe and North America.",
  "key_points": [
    "Mercedes-Benz global sales fell 6% in Q3 2026",
    "Electric vehicle sales hit record high globally",
    "China sales dropped 31% year-on-year"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews Business",
        "title": "Mercedes global sales fall 6% as electric car sales hit record high",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/mercedes-global-sales-fall-6-as-electric-car-sales-hit-record-high-12635262",
        "published": "2026-10-07T13:04:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}