The Mercedes-Benz Group recorded 78,100 BEVs delivered between July and September. This represents a 24 percent increase compared to the second quarter and a 52 percent increase over the same period last year. Of all BEVs, 68,400 units (+61 percent year-on-year) were passenger cars, while 9,700 units (+12 percent) were vans. Across all drivelines, the group sold 491,700 cars and vans (-6 percent year-on-year) in the last quarter. The importance of electric models is evident in the share of electric vehicles (E-Quote): in the passenger car segment, it increased from 9.6% in the second quarter of 2025 to 16.8% today. In other words: one in six new Mercedes passenger cars had electric drive in the last three months. Including plug-in hybrids, 25 percent of Mercedes-Benz Cars’ global sales in the third quarter were electrified vehicles, which Mercedes refers to as ‘xEV’.
Let’s examine the performance of Mercedes-Benz Cars in detail: The passenger car division sold 407,200 vehicles worldwide in the third quarter, a decrease of 8 percent compared to the same quarter last year, in line with the results of the second quarter of this year. Weak performance in China remains a factor: With just 86,800 units sold in the third quarter, sales in the country plunged 31 percent. This is part of a long-standing trend.
In other markets, however, Mercedes is doing better: “Outside China, sales increased by 1 percent.” The main drivers were Europe (+5 percent) and North America (+4 percent), with Germany performing particularly well (+13 percent).
Europe remains the main market for BEVs
Focusing on sales of battery electric vehicles, Mercedes-Benz Cars delivered 68,400 BEVs globally between July and September, an increase of 61 percent over the same period last year. Europe remains the absolute top market, growing 78 percent year-over-year and 24 percent compared to the second quarter. According to the manufacturer, “almost one in three Mercedes-Benz cars sold is fully electric” in this region.
| Third quarter of 2025 | Delta (in %) | Q1-Q3 2025 | Delta (in %) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz Group | 491,700 | -6 | 1,503,200 | -6 |
| – of which BEV | 78,100 | +52 | 191,400 | +38 |
| Mercedes-Benz cars | 407,200 | -8 | 1,244,400 | -7 |
| – of which BEV | 68,400 | +61 | 165,500 | +40 |
| Mercedes-Benz vans | 84,400 | +1 | 258,800 | -1 |
| – of which eVans | 9,700 | +12 | 25,800 | +28 |
According to Mercedes, the main contributors to this good performance were the electric CLA, the electric GLC and the electric GLB: sales of the GLC more than tripled compared to the second quarter. Sales of the electric variant of the CLA increased by 24 percent during the second quarter, accompanied by the launch of the series in other markets, including the US and Japan. The new electric GLB also got off to a successful start, building on the success of its predecessor. Mercedes emphasizes: “The battery electric variants of the GLC, CLA, GLB and GLA are sold out in Europe for the rest of the year and the order book extends until 2027. […]To meet this strong demand, the plants in Bremen, Rastatt and Kecskemét operate on three-shift schedules.”
For the regions of Asia (including China), North America and other markets grouped under “Rest of World”, Mercedes does not provide specific BEV sales figures, but only the general development of sales across all drivetrains, as described above. However, the Stuttgart-based company highlights that the launch of new electric models will boost its ambition to “significantly increase sales of electric vehicles in 2026.” The new electric C-Class, known as a potential volume driver, has been available for order in Europe since May and is expected to soon improve statistics with notable deliveries.
25 percent of all new Mercedes passenger cars are plug-in
Mercedes-Benz Cars does not provide separate information on plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales. However, calculations show that around 8 percent of all global sales were plug-in hybrids. Combined with the known proportion of BEVs, this results in the aforementioned 25 percent plug-in vehicles (“xEV”).
The manufacturer devotes a longer section of its statistical presentation to the topic of China: “In China, sales of Mercedes-Benz Cars decreased by 31 percent amid continued challenging passenger market conditions and intense competition. Together, the GLC and E-Class accounted for almost two-thirds of Mercedes-Benz Cars sales in China and remained more resilient than the broader market.” Furthermore: “The new electric GLC L, launched in July, is advancing successfully and has been well received by customers in China. In mid-September, Mercedes-Benz launched the new locally produced GLE L SUV.” In addition, an AI-powered driving position and an advanced driver assistance system will be implemented across almost the entire range in the coming months.
Mathias Geisen, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Sales and Customers, commented: “Mercedes-Benz Cars achieved the highest quarterly BEV sales in the company’s history, led by the electric GLC, whose sales more than tripled compared to the second quarter. Outside of China, car sales increased for the third consecutive quarter in 2026. Our new electric models GLC, CLA, GLB and GLA are sold out in Europe during the rest of the year, and the order book is expanding until 2027. This shows that our product launch program is in full swing.”
Eleven percent of new vans are electric
Finally, let’s look at the third quarter sales of Mercedes-Benz vans: The division recorded 84,400 sales in the last quarter, including 9,700 BEVs. While total sales remained almost stable compared to last year (+1 percent), the 9,700 BEVs represent a 12 percent increase from Q2 2025 and a -4 percent change compared to Q2 2026. Global electric share increased to 11.5 percent (Q3 2025: 10 percent). In Europe, the share of electricity was even higher at 15 percent (Q3 2025: 14 percent).
media.mercedes-benz.com
