连导航都要收钱，百年豪车巨头急了

Core Viewpoint - Mercedes-Benz is undergoing its largest-ever layoff plan, with approximately 4,000 employees accepting severance packages, amid declining sales and performance challenges in the global market [1][2]. Group 1: Layoff and Cost-Cutting Measures - Mercedes-Benz has initiated a significant layoff plan, with around 4,000 employees accepting voluntary severance packages, including senior management receiving up to €500,000 (approximately 4.12 million RMB) in compensation [1]. - The company aims to save approximately €5 billion annually by 2027 through outsourcing decisions and not filling vacant positions, with a target of reducing production and fixed costs by about 10% [2]. - The layoffs are part of a broader strategy to address the company's poor sales performance, with a reported global sales decline of 12% year-on-year in Q3 2025 [2][3]. Group 2: Sales Performance - In Q3 2025, Mercedes-Benz's global sales reached 525,300 units, reflecting a 12% year-on-year decline, while year-to-date sales totaled 1,601,600 units, down 9% compared to the previous year [3]. - The company reported a significant drop in revenue, with total revenue for the previous year at €145.59 billion, down 4%, and a net profit decline of 28.4% to €10.4 billion [3][5]. - The Chinese market has been particularly challenging, with a reported revenue decline of 8.5% and a sales drop of 7.3% in 2024 [5]. Group 3: Controversial Operational Strategies - Mercedes-Benz has faced backlash for implementing paid features in its vehicles, such as charging for navigation services and unlocking hardware functionalities, which has led to customer dissatisfaction [6][8]. - The company’s strategy of monetizing software features has been criticized, with customers expressing confusion and frustration over additional charges for functionalities that are often standard in competing brands [10][12]. Group 4: Future Strategies and Market Position - Mercedes-Benz recognizes the intense competition in the Chinese market, with plans to launch 36 new models by 2027, including 17 electric vehicles, and to introduce 7 models specifically for the Chinese market [15][17]. - The company is also focusing on reducing local material costs in China by over 10% by 2027 and aims to decrease variable and fixed production costs by 20% [18]. - Despite the focus on electric vehicles, Mercedes-Benz plans to continue developing fuel-powered vehicles, emphasizing that smart technology can be applied to both electric and traditional vehicles [17][18].