Mercedes profit slumps in early 2026 but new-model push aims to revive margins
- On Wednesday, Mercedes-Benz reported first-quarter profit of €1.43 billion, down more than 17 percent year-over-year, as intense competition and subdued demand in China weighed on results.
- Sales by volume in China fell 27 percent in the first quarter, driven by a brutal price war against local brands like BYD and Geely that now dominate the world's largest auto market.
- Mercedes finance chief Harald Wilhelm noted that Chinese brands including Chery, Geely, and Xpeng captured a nine percent share of Europe's car market in March, according to automotive intelligence firm Dataforce.
- Facing these pressures, Mercedes is developing "China-fit" vehicles including the electric GLC SUV, while Wilhelm warned that Middle East conflict could disrupt supplies of energy and key commodities.
- Wilhelm warned Chinese manufacturers will likely export vehicles to global markets, stating: "If one were to withdraw... we might escape today but tomorrow we'd almost certainly come face to face with it.
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Mercedes reports a 17 percent decline in profit for the first quarter. The massive drop in sales in China is a cause for concern. E-car sales are hopeful.
Revenue fell 4.9% compared to the previous year, to 31.60 billion euros, while the operating margin adjusted in the main segment of cars fell to 4.1%, to 7.3% before
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Mercedes warns longer Mideast war could cause shortages
German premium automaker Mercedes-Benz warned Wednesday that a drawn-out conflict in the Middle East could cause shortages of key inputs as it reported tumbling quarterly profits due to fierce Chinese competition.
The profit of Mercedes-Benz fell by 17.2 percent in the first three months of this year. Compared to the same quarter of the previous year, the Group's profit fell from 1.73 billion euros to 1.43 billion euros, the car manufacturer reported.
The profit of the Mercedes-Benz automaker fell once again: in the first three months of this year, it fell by 17.2 percent. Compared to the previous year's quarter, the Group's net profit fell from 1.73 billion euros to 1.43 billion euros – but the decline was more moderate than feared. The decline was less marked than last. However, the DAX Group also came from a comparatively low level. In 2025, the first quarter was bad. At that time, the Gro…
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