Mercedes-Benz and Porsche Q3 sales fall on China weakness

· Automotive & EV · Germany · China

Mercedes-Benz reported an 8 percent decline in third-quarter global passenger-car sales, with China sales dropping 31 percent, according to Gasgoo. Separately, Porsche saw deliveries fall 16 percent in the first nine months of the year, with China deliveries plummeting by a third, Just Auto reported. The results add to a pattern of weak China performance across German premium automakers, as the world's largest car market continues to soften and local brands gain share in the luxury segment. Both companies have relied heavily on Chinese demand for growth and profitability, making the contraction a significant challenge. The declines come amid broader pressure on European automakers from the EV transition, trade tensions and a slowing Chinese economy, and they echo similar weak results reported by Volkswagen Group in the same period.

Why it matters：With two of Germany's premium marques posting steep China declines, the results reinforce how weakening demand in the world's largest car market is pressuring luxury automakers' profits and global strategies.

Key points

  • Mercedes-Benz Q3 global passenger-car sales fell 8%, with China down 31%.
  • Porsche first-nine-month deliveries fell 16%, with China down by a third.
  • The declines reflect broad weakness among German premium automakers in China.

Sources (original reporting)

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