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Mercedes-Benz Q3 2025: Top-End Momentum, Electric Acceleration, and China Headwinds

Mercedes-Benz Group AG entered the home stretch of 2025 balancing two realities: a shifting global market and a product portfolio firing on nearly all cylinders. The Stuttgart-based luxury automaker reported third-quarter sales of 525,300 vehicles, including both cars and vans—a figure slightly lower year-over-year but strategically poised for growth as the company kicks off the largest product launch campaign in its history.

Electric Growth Amid Market Pressure

Electric mobility continues to be Mercedes-Benz’s fastest-growing frontier. Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales climbed 22% quarter-on-quarter and 9% year-over-year, totaling more than 51,000 units across cars and vans. The uptick was powered largely by the European debut of the electric CLA, a compact four-door coupe signaling the brand’s next-gen design and tech language.

“The excellent feedback for the electric CLA and growing demand for our Top-End vehicles underline our strong product momentum,” said Mathias Geisen, Member of the Board of Management for Marketing & Sales. “Our new products are setting the stage for further sales growth.”

Mercedes is leveraging that momentum as it rolls into a historic launch cycle that began at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich, introducing the theme “Welcome Home.” Upcoming debuts—like the electric GLC, CLA Shooting Brake, and the future electric C-Class—are designed to broaden the EV portfolio while maintaining the brand’s hallmark of luxury refinement.

Top-End Vehicles Drive Brand Strength

If there’s one corner of Mercedes’ lineup that’s unshakable, it’s the Top-End segment—home to the S-Class, Maybach, AMG, and G-Class. Sales here rose 5% from Q2 and 10% year-over-year to 67,800 units, representing a healthy 15.4% of total car sales.

The S-Class alone accounted for 28,300 units, with one in three being a Mercedes-Maybach—a clear sign of continued demand for ultra-luxury mobility in key markets like China and the Middle East. AMG and G-Class models followed suit, with +6% and +31% quarterly growth, respectively.

Regional Shifts: Europe Steady, China Challenging

Mercedes-Benz’s European operations posted modest but stable growth, up 2% overall, driven by standout performances in Spain (+5%), Poland (+20%), and Germany (+3%). Meanwhile, South America (+45%) and the Gulf States (+33%) helped offset softness in Asia.

The biggest drag came from China, where sales fell 11% in Q3 amid a turbulent market environment and shifting tariff policies. Despite that, Top-End sales in China grew 13% year-over-year, reaffirming Mercedes’ dominant share in the million-RMB-plus luxury bracket.

In the United States, stock levels were intentionally managed to cushion tariff exposure. Still, customer deliveries rose 6% year-to-date, and retail demand remains strong, particularly for SUVs and high-performance models.

Mercedes-Benz Vans: Quiet Strength and Digital Innovation

While cars often steal the spotlight, Mercedes-Benz Vans had a solid quarter, delivering 83,800 units globally. Europe accounted for a growing portion of electric vans, now 14% of van sales, signaling strong traction for the eVito and eSprinter lineups.

The Van Uptime Monitor, a new digital service offering real-time diagnostics and operational data, launched across major European markets and was met with enthusiastic reception from fleet operators. “Our commitment to EVs and premium digital services is resonating with customers,” said Sagree Sardien, Head of Vans Sales & Marketing.

Year-to-date, van sales totaled 260,200 units, with 20,200 electric vans, up a staggering 61% compared to 2024. The midsize Vito, celebrating its 30th anniversary, continues to demonstrate why it’s a backbone of Mercedes’ commercial success story.

The Road Ahead

Despite headwinds in China and trade-related pressures, Mercedes-Benz is positioning itself for a strong finish to 2025. The brand’s focus on electrification, digital experience, and high-margin Top-End products paints a clear trajectory: fewer compromises, more exclusivity, and a steady march toward its all-electric future.

With the electric GLC on the horizon and the G-Class Cabriolet preparing to join the lineup, Mercedes-Benz’s next act looks less like a reset and more like a confident evolution—where luxury meets innovation, and the star continues to shine bright across every segment it touches.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

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Kia Breaks Sales Records in August, Driven by EV Momentum and SUV Demand

Kia America is on a roll. In August, the brand notched its best-ever monthly sales performance, moving 83,007 units—a 10.4 percent jump over the same period last year. The milestone not only marks Kia’s second time surpassing 80,000 units in a single month but also keeps the automaker firmly on pace for its third consecutive annual sales record. Year-to-date sales are now up 8.6 percent, with retail sales climbing an even healthier 10.3 percent.

EVs in the Fast Lane

Electric vehicles are doing more than pulling their weight in Kia’s lineup. The three-row EV9—a contender in the crowded electric SUV space—posted 2,679 units sold, up a striking 54 percent from July. The EV6 and Niro EV also gained traction, up 39 percent and 57 percent month-over-month, respectively. That makes August the fourth straight month of strong EV growth for Kia, cementing its place among mainstream brands successfully moving metal in the electrified space.

The EV9, in particular, is emerging as a halo model. Not only did it achieve its best-ever monthly sales, but it also earned recognition in the 2025 J.D. Power Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study, winning the Mass Market award for “One-Pedal Driving” tech—proof that Kia’s EV push isn’t just about volume, but also about innovation credibility.

SUVs Still Rule the Roost

While EV momentum is grabbing headlines, Kia’s bread and butter remains its SUV lineup. The Sportage and EV9 set personal bests in August, helping drive Kia’s SUV portfolio to its highest-ever monthly sales. The Telluride and Carnival also posted double-digit increases, up 19 percent and 29 percent year-over-year, respectively.

The Sportage, Kia’s longest-running nameplate, is also getting some fresh attention. Kia recently invited journalists to Louisville, Kentucky, to test the updated 2026 Sportage, with particular emphasis on the Turbo Hybrid model. Expect sharper design, improved tech, and a focus on efficiency as Kia continues to refine its SUV lineup.

Sedans Still Showing Signs of Life

In a market that loves crossovers, Kia’s sedans are holding their own. The K5 midsize sedan jumped 13 percent year-over-year in August, while the Forte (K4 in some markets) continues to be a volume anchor with 12,091 units sold. Together, these models prove that Kia isn’t walking away from the four-door formula just yet.

Awards Keep Rolling In

On the recognition front, Kia’s utility vehicles are collecting hardware. The 2025 Carnival MPV and 2025 Telluride SUV each received Winter Vehicle Awards from the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA). For the Telluride, it’s the fourth NEMPA honor, adding to an already decorated trophy case. The Carnival, meanwhile, earns its first class win in the minivan category.

Kia’s August story is one of balance. EVs are building credibility and momentum, SUVs are shattering records, and even sedans are showing resilience. With more than 83,000 vehicles sold in a single month, the brand is proving that its diverse lineup is hitting the sweet spot in today’s market.

As Eric Watson, vice president of sales operations for Kia America, put it:
“These are clear indicators of the strength of the Kia brand and how our diverse product offerings continue to meet customer needs.”

If August is any indication, Kia isn’t just coasting toward another annual record—it’s sprinting there.

Source: Kia America

News

Kia’s August 2025 Sales Nudge Up, SUVs and EVs Lead the Charge

Kia capped off August 2025 with a modest global sales uptick, moving 253,950 vehicles worldwide—a 0.8 percent increase year over year. The brand’s steady climb is being fueled by the dual pillars of electrification and SUVs, with its hybrid and EV lineup gaining traction while core models like the Sportage and Seltos continue to anchor the portfolio.

Unsurprisingly, Kia’s bread-and-butter recreational vehicles (RVs) led the way. The Sportage SUV once again topped the charts, shifting 44,969 units globally, followed by the Seltos at 27,805 and the Sorento at 18,466.

Overseas Performance: Slight Dip, Familiar Leaders

Outside of Korea, Kia sold 209,887 vehicles, a 0.4 percent decline compared with August 2024. Despite the dip, the brand’s overseas momentum remained anchored by SUVs: the Sportage (39,214 units) and Seltos (23,567 units) dominated, while the K4 and K3 (Forte in some markets) chipped in with a combined 15,881 units.

Korea Sales: A Strong Home-Field Advantage

Back home, Kia posted a healthy 7.4 percent increase, delivering 43,501 units in August. The Sorento led the domestic lineup with 6,531 units sold, followed closely by the Carnival MPV (6,031 units) and the Sportage (5,755 units).

Electrification: The Next Growth Lever

Kia says its future growth will ride on the back of its expanding EV family, which now includes the EV4, EV5, and PV5. The automaker is doubling down on electrification with what it calls “customer-centric strategies” and strategic investments aimed at maintaining global leadership in the segment.

The Bigger Picture

Year-to-date, Kia has sold just over 2.1 million vehicles through August, up 1.7 percent compared with the same period last year. Korea is up slightly (+0.9 percent YTD) while overseas sales have climbed 1.9 percent YTD despite August’s softness. Special purpose vehicles remain a niche play, sliding 4.2 percent YTD.

Kia’s incremental August gains may not look like fireworks, but with SUVs providing volume stability and EVs gathering momentum, the brand is playing a long game—one that leans heavily on electrification while keeping its core RV lineup as the backbone of global sales.

Source: Kia