Core Viewpoint - Mercedes-Benz is facing significant challenges in the Chinese market, with a notable decline in sales and increasing competition from domestic brands, highlighting the need for accelerated transformation in electric and intelligent vehicle offerings [2][4][5] Group 1: Sales Performance - In July, Mercedes-Benz's retail sales in China were only 26,653 units, a month-on-month decline of over 40%, marking a five-year low and falling below the 27,000-unit threshold for the first time [2] - Compared to the worst sales figures in the past three years of 36,000 units, July's sales were down by over 9,000 units, with competitors BMW and Audi significantly outperforming Mercedes-Benz, selling 40,190 and 37,600 units respectively [2] Group 2: Market Challenges - The decline in sales is attributed to both internal and external factors, including the rise of domestic brands like Wuling, Li Auto, and Zeekr, which have captured market share in the 300,000 yuan and above segment [4] - Mercedes-Benz's slow progress in electric and intelligent vehicle technology has further exacerbated the situation, as competitors like Audi have partnered with Huawei to enhance their offerings [4] Group 3: Financial Performance - For the first half of the year, Mercedes-Benz reported a revenue of 66.377 billion euros, a year-on-year decline of 8.6%, and a net profit of 2.688 billion euros, down 55.8% year-on-year [4] - In the Chinese market, total sales for the first half were 293,200 units, reflecting a year-on-year decrease of 14%, with a 19% decline in the second quarter [4] Group 4: Strategic Implications - The current predicament of Mercedes-Benz serves as a microcosm of the challenges faced by traditional luxury car manufacturers amid the automotive industry's transformation [5] - Without accelerating the transition to electric and intelligent vehicles and improving product and service quality, Mercedes-Benz risks relying solely on brand prestige, which could lead to significant challenges in both the Chinese and global markets [5]

Group 1 - Mercedes-Benz faces severe challenges in the second half of the year after a significant 14% year-on-year decline in sales in China during the first half [2] - In July, Mercedes-Benz's retail sales in China dropped to 26,653 units, a month-on-month decline of over 40%, marking the first time in five years that monthly sales fell below 27,000 units [2] - All models sold by Mercedes-Benz in July failed to exceed 10,000 units, with the highest-selling model, the E-Class, reaching only 7,700 units [2] Group 2 - The luxury car market is facing transformation challenges due to the rapid development of new energy vehicles, with brands like AITO, Li Auto, and NIO gaining market share [2] - Mercedes-Benz has significantly reduced its terminal prices, with discounts of up to 120,000 yuan for the C-Class and 100,000 yuan for the E-Class, indicating a shift in pricing strategy [2] - In the electric vehicle sector, the brand's premium pricing from fuel vehicles has not translated to electric models, with the EQA and EQB seeing drastic price cuts and low sales figures of 103 and 233 units respectively in July [3] Group 3 - Mercedes-Benz plans to integrate its EQ series back into the mainstream product lineup, with the launch of a new electric model based on the pure electric MMA platform set for this fall [3] - The company aims to introduce 36 new models by 2027, including 17 electric vehicles and 7 models specifically for the Chinese market [3]

Core Viewpoint - Mercedes-Benz is experiencing significant price reductions on multiple models, leading to store closures and a sharp decline in sales and profits, particularly in the Chinese market [1][3][23]. Pricing and Sales - Recent price cuts for models like the A-Class and C-Class have reached up to 50%, with the A-Class being offered at a low of 125,600 yuan compared to its original price of 251,300 to 275,700 yuan [5][24]. - The overall sales revenue for Mercedes-Benz in the first half of 2025 was 66.377 billion euros, a year-on-year decline of 8.6% [24]. Store Closures - Several Mercedes-Benz dealerships, including those in Tangshan, Dongying, and Luoyang, have closed, attributed to business adjustments [2][9]. - The closures have caused customer dissatisfaction, as many are left without support for services purchased at the now-closed dealerships [10][12]. Financial Performance - The net profit after tax for the second quarter dropped by 68.7% year-on-year, with a total net profit of 2.688 billion euros for the first half, down 55.8% [24][25]. - In China, the sales volume fell by 14% in the first half of the year, making it the market with the largest decline for Mercedes-Benz globally [27][28]. Market Position and Challenges - The company is struggling to adapt to the growing demand for electric vehicles, with its electric models not gaining significant traction in the market [28][29]. - Mercedes-Benz's reliance on traditional fuel vehicles is becoming a liability as the industry shifts towards electrification and smart technology [16][29].

Core Insights - Mercedes-Benz is facing significant challenges in the Chinese market, with a total of 16,100 vehicles recalled due to safety and emission risks, following a previous recall of 33,400 vehicles in May [1][3] - The company's sales in China have declined, with 683,600 units sold in 2024, a decrease of 7.3% year-on-year, and 152,800 units in the first quarter of 2025, down 10% year-on-year [1][3] - To combat declining sales, Mercedes-Benz has been reducing prices across its key models, with discounts reaching up to 120,000 yuan for certain models [2][3] Sales Performance - The C-Class, GLC, and E-Class are the main sales pillars for Mercedes-Benz in China, with significant price reductions implemented to stimulate demand [2][3] - The sales decline is also reflected in the financial performance of Beijing Benz, which reported a revenue of 21.747 billion euros in 2024, down 3.36% year-on-year, and a net profit of 2.443 billion euros, down 18.5% year-on-year [3] Market Competition - The rise of domestic brands has intensified competition, with domestic brands capturing 64% of the retail market share in the first five months of 2024, an increase of 7.9 percentage points year-on-year [3][4] - The penetration rate of new energy vehicles (NEVs) among domestic brands reached 74.6%, while Mercedes-Benz's NEV penetration remains low at 6.4% for mainstream joint venture brands [4] Electric Vehicle Strategy - Mercedes-Benz's electric vehicle sales are lagging, with only 185,000 units sold globally in 2024, a decrease of 23% year-on-year, and 45,500 units in the first quarter of 2025, down 10% year-on-year [4][5] - The company plans to launch a significant number of new products from 2025 to 2027, including 36 new models, with a focus on both internal combustion and electric vehicles [8][9] Investment and Development - Mercedes-Benz has committed to increasing its investment in China, with plans to introduce multiple dedicated products covering all market segments and drive types from 2025 to 2027 [9] - Since 2019, the company has invested 10.5 billion yuan in R&D in China, focusing on electrification and intelligence, establishing the largest R&D network outside Germany [9] Competitive Landscape - Compared to other multinational automakers, Mercedes-Benz's localization of electric vehicles appears slower, with competitors like BMW and Audi making larger investments in local partnerships and production [11][13]