The German automotive industry continues to grapple with an increasingly complex global market. Mercedes-Benz e Porsche They have released conflicting sales data, but they all have one thing in common: strong weakness in China and from the growing pressure of local competition. If Mercedes Benz, however, manages to compensate for some of the difficulties Asian with the growth recorded in Europe and North America, as well as with the strong increase in deliveries of electric vehicles, for Porsche, instead, the first semester ends with a double-digit decline, which involves almost all major markets and a large part of the range.
Mercedes sells 511.900 vehicles, but car sales decline 8%
Mercedes-Benz Group has closed the second quarter of 2026 with 511.900 vehicles sold between cars and commercial vehicles, the 2% more compared to the first three months of the year. The year-on-year comparison, however, remains affected by the slowdown in the automotive division and the persistent difficulties of the Chinese market. Mercedes delivered 417.800 vehicles, an 8% decrease compared to the second quarter of 2025. flexion it was especially marked in Asia, where sales are dropped by 27% to 138.300 units. In China, the decline reached 30%, reflecting weaker demand, increasingly aggressive competition, and the production start-up phase of the new range.
Without the Chinese market, the picture would have been very different. Mercedes car sales outside the country grew by 2%. Europe recorded a 4% increase to 166.400 vehicles, with Germany up 6%, while North America rose 13% to 91.300 units. In the United States, the increase was 10%.
The decline affected all major product segments. High-end models totaled 58.100 deliveries, a 10% decrease, while the mid-range segment lost 9% to 249.300 units. Entry-level models saw a more moderate decline, dropping 4% to 110.400 units.
Mercedes: Electricity becomes the main driver of growth
The most positive result for Mercedes comes from electric carsGlobal deliveries of battery-powered cars are increased by 51% in the quarter, reaching 52.900 units. Including commercial vehicles, the group sold a total of 63.000 electric vehicles, a 50% increase. The acceleration was particularly evident in Europe, where electric car sales increased by 87% and reached a 26% share of regional deliveries. In Germany, volumes more than doubled.
The group also reports a high demand for the new generation of modelsEuropean orders for the electric GLC, electric CLA, electric GLB, and the new S-Class already extend into next year. Mercedes-Benz therefore expects to sell more passenger cars and commercial vehicles in the second half of 2026 than in the first six months.
“The most extensive launch plan in our history is gaining momentum. Electric vehicle sales increased by more than 50% in the second quarter, and demand for the new GLC electric, the CLA electric, and the GLB electric is exceptionally strong,” he said. Mathias Geisen, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group responsible for Sales and Customer Experience.
The division Mercedes-benz vans It delivered 94.100 units, a 1% increase year-over-year. North America grew 23% to 12.400 vehicles, while Europe posted a 5% increase to 68.300 units. Asia was much weaker, with volumes dropping 57% to 3.400 vehicles, with China declining 70%. Electric van deliveries, on the other hand, increased 46%.
Porsche falls to six-year low
The picture still appears more difficult for PorscheIn the first half of 2026, the Stuttgart-based company has delivered 122.306 cars, the 16% less compared to the same period of the previous year and the lowest level recorded in the last six years. The decline has involving all major marketsNorth America remained the brand's leading sales region with 37.712 deliveries, but declined 13%. According to the group, the result was impacted by the end of US tax incentives for electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as the discontinuation of internal combustion engine versions of the 718.
More the situation in China is more serious, where deliveries fell 32% to 14.501 units. Porsche chose to prioritize profitability over volume growth, avoiding chasing the competition with aggressive discounting.
Europe too closed in negative territory. Excluding Germany, deliveries fell 14% to 30.278 vehicles. In the domestic market, the decline was more moderate, at 6%, with 14.938 units sold.
The 911 holds firm, while the Panamera and 718 collapse.
The performance of the individual models shows a strong gap between the different components of the range. Cayenne confirmed as the best-selling Porsche with 38.141 deliveries, despite a 9% decrease. The first deliveries of the new Cayenne Electric also began at the end of June.
The 911 represents the main positive exception. Sales increased 19% to 30.534 units, supported by demand and the arrival of new versions launched during 2025.
The Macan is weaker, which totaled 35.315 deliveries, a 22% decrease from the previous year. Of these, 19.695 were combustion engine variants, still available in most markets outside the European Union, while the Macan Electric sold 15.620 units.
La Panamera It dropped 38% to 9.308 deliveries, primarily impacted by a temporary range gap in China. The Taycan fell 25% to 6.219 units, while the sporty 718 Boxster and Cayman models plummeted 73% to 2.789 units after production ceased in October 2025.
“With around 122 thousand deliveries in the first half of the year, we are below last year, but in line with our expectations,” he declared. Matthias Becker, member of the Porsche Board of Management responsible for Sales and Marketing. The group will continue to adjust production to demand, while further details on Strategy 2035 are expected at the Capital Markets Day scheduled for this fall.
