Mercedes-Benz delivered a major increase in electric vehicle sales during the third quarter of 2026, setting a new quarterly record as its latest generation of EVs reached more customers around the world.
Mercedes-Benz Group sold 491,700 cars and vans globally in Q3 2026, while battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales across its Cars and Vans divisions jumped 52% year over year.
The strong EV performance came despite continued weakness in China, where challenging market conditions and intense competition pushed overall Mercedes-Benz Group sales down 6% compared with the same period last year. Outside China, however, Group sales increased 2%.
Mercedes-Benz Sets New EV Sales Record
Mercedes-Benz Cars sold 407,200 vehicles in the third quarter, with sales outside China increasing 1%. Europe and North America provided much of the momentum, helping offset the significant decline in the Chinese market.
The biggest highlight was the company’s electric vehicle performance.
Mercedes-Benz Cars sold 68,400 battery-electric vehicles in Q3 2026, an increase of 61% compared with Q3 2025 and 29% higher than the previous quarter. It was the highest quarterly BEV sales figure in the company’s history.
The result pushed Mercedes-Benz Cars’ global BEV share to 16.8%, up 7.2 percentage points from a year earlier. Including plug-in hybrids, electrified vehicles accounted for 25% of total Mercedes-Benz Cars sales during the quarter.
The electric GLC was the biggest driver of the growth. Sales of the new electric GLC more than tripled compared with the second quarter, highlighting the importance of Mercedes-Benz’s expanding next-generation EV lineup.
The electric CLA also continued to gain momentum, with sales increasing 24% from Q2 as the model became available in additional markets, including the United States and Japan. The new electric GLB also made a strong start as Mercedes-Benz expanded its electric SUV lineup.
Electric Mercedes Models Sold Out in Europe
Demand for Mercedes-Benz’s newest electric models is proving particularly strong in Europe.
The battery-electric versions of the GLC, CLA, GLB and GLA are sold out in Europe for the remainder of 2026, with customer order books extending into 2027.
To keep up with demand, Mercedes-Benz is operating its Bremen, Rastatt and Kecskemét production facilities on three-shift schedules.
Europe also delivered a record quarter for Mercedes-Benz BEV sales. Electric vehicle sales increased 78% year over year and 24% compared with Q2. Nearly one in every three Mercedes-Benz cars sold in Europe during the quarter was fully electric.
The results suggest that Mercedes-Benz’s newer EV strategy is beginning to translate into significantly stronger customer demand, particularly as the company expands beyond its earlier generation of electric models.
Mercedes-Benz Sales Grow in Europe and North America
Mercedes-Benz Cars sold 168,700 vehicles in Europe during Q3, representing a 5% increase from the same quarter in 2025.
Germany was one of the strongest markets, with sales rising 13%, while sales in the United Kingdom increased 7%. Mercedes-Benz also ranked first in Germany’s BEV fleet market in August, underlining the growing role of electric models among business customers.
North America delivered another solid result. Mercedes-Benz Cars sales increased 4% to 83,200 vehicles in Q3, while sales for the first nine months of 2026 were up 11%.
In the United States, Mercedes-Benz sales increased 6% during the third quarter and 12% during the first nine months of the year. The company also strengthened its SUV lineup in September with the arrival of the updated GLE, GLE Coupé and GLS.
China Remains a Major Challenge
China continued to be the biggest weakness in Mercedes-Benz’s global sales performance.
Mercedes-Benz Cars sales in Asia totaled 132,300 vehicles in Q3, down 25% year over year. Sales in China alone fell 31% as the premium vehicle market faced difficult conditions and increasingly intense competition.
The GLC and E-Class remained comparatively resilient and together represented almost two-thirds of Mercedes-Benz Cars sales in China.
Mercedes-Benz is also increasing its focus on locally produced electric models. The new electric GLC L, launched in China in July, is gaining momentum, while the locally produced GLE L SUV was introduced in September.
Despite the challenging Chinese market, the strong reception of the new electric GLC could provide Mercedes-Benz with an important opportunity to rebuild EV momentum in the world’s largest electric vehicle market.
SUVs Continue to Dominate Mercedes-Benz Sales
SUVs remained the backbone of Mercedes-Benz Cars, accounting for 56% of sales during the first nine months of 2026.
The GLC was the leading model within the SUV lineup, while Mercedes-Benz continued its broad product renewal across its Entry, Core and Top-End segments.
In the Core segment, Mercedes-Benz sold 234,200 vehicles during Q3. Sales were down 6% globally, largely because of China, but Core sales outside China increased 5%, with Europe recording double-digit growth.
The electric GLC was the main growth driver for the segment and was named German Premium Car of the Year 2027 in September.
The C-Class lineup was also expanded during the quarter. Mercedes-Benz opened orders for the updated C-Class Saloon and Estate with electrified combustion-engine technology in August, followed by the electric C 300 4MATIC in Europe in September.
The all-new electric C-Class is also beginning to reach showrooms and has received positive early customer feedback.
New Electric GLA Adds More Momentum
Mercedes-Benz’s Entry segment accounted for 119,200 vehicles in Q3, down 4% year over year but up 8% compared with the second quarter.
The improvement was driven largely by the expansion of the new CLA into additional markets.
Mercedes-Benz is now preparing for another important addition to its electric lineup. The all-new GLA entered series production at the company’s Rastatt plant in September, with initial customer orders described as encouraging.
With the electric GLC, CLA, GLB and GLA all gaining traction, Mercedes-Benz is entering 2027 with a substantially broader EV portfolio than it had just a year earlier.
Mercedes-Benz EV Strategy Gains Momentum
Mercedes-Benz’s third-quarter results show a clear shift in the company’s sales mix toward electric vehicles.
While overall sales remain affected by China’s difficult market conditions, demand for the newest Mercedes-Benz EVs is moving in the opposite direction. Record quarterly BEV sales, strong growth in Europe and sold-out electric models point to significantly stronger demand for the company’s latest generation of EVs.
The electric GLC has emerged as the standout performer, but the growing CLA, GLB and GLA lineups give Mercedes-Benz more opportunities to compete across multiple segments.
With European EV demand accelerating and production increasing to meet customer orders, Mercedes-Benz appears set for another major expansion of its electric vehicle business heading into 2027.
Mercedes-Benz Vans Sales
Mercedes-Benz Vans recorded 84,400 units sold worldwide in the third quarter, while sales outside China increased by 6% year on year. The development was driven by growing customer demand in North America (+8%) and strong growth in the Rest of the World region (+25%) compared to the previous year quarter. Overall, Mercedes-Benz Vans sales rose by 1% year on year.
Electrified vans saw continued growth, with eVan sales rising by 12% compared to the previous year. Consequently, the global electric share increased to 11% (Q3 2025: 10%), with Europe reaching an even higher level of 15% (Q3 2025: 14%).
The commercial vans segment grew, with sales increasing by 4% compared to the previous year. Demand for large vans remained strong, with volumes up by 15%, underlining their strategic importance for Mercedes-Benz Vans.
At IAA Transportation 2026, Mercedes-Benz Vans highlighted its comprehensive commercial van portfolio and the Mercedes-Benz PRO business ecosystem, demonstrating how integrated vehicle and digital solutions create added value for professional customers. Another key highlight was the all-new electric VLE for professional use as a shuttle vehicle in an eight-seater variant.
