Mercedes sets a record with its electric cars and has full bookings through 2027.

Mercedes is experiencing mixed results. While its global sales dropped by 8% in the third quarter of 2026, the German automaker has just set a new record for electric vehicle sales. In Europe, demand is so high that several models are already fully booked for the rest of the year.

Mercedes can finally be pleased with the performance of its electric vehicle lineup. After initially facing challenges with its EQ models, the German brand seems to have found the right approach with its new generation of vehicles. The sales figures for the third quarter of 2026 confirm this positive trend, although the company still faces significant difficulties in certain markets.

Mercedes’ EV sales surge by 61%

In the third quarter of 2026, Mercedes sold 68,400 fully electric vehicles worldwide. This represents a record quarterly figure for the Stuttgart-based company, showing a 61% increase compared to the same period in 2025. Sales also rose by 29% from the previous quarter.

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The share of electric vehicles now accounts for 16.8% of Mercedes’ global sales of passenger cars, up from 9.6% a year earlier. Including plug-in hybrids, electric-powered models make up a quarter of all deliveries. Remarkably, the most significant growth has occurred in Europe, where electric car sales surged by 78% in one year. Nearly one out of three Mercedes cars sold on the Old Continent now runs solely on electricity.

This momentum isn’t limited to the third quarter. Since the start of the year, Mercedes has sold 165,500 electric vehicles worldwide, representing a 40% increase compared to the first nine months of 2025. The automaker can rely on businesses to help achieve this success. In August, it took the top spot in Germany’s market for electric vehicles intended for commercial fleets.

Four electric models already sold out for 2026

This acceleration is partly due to the introduction of new models. The Mercedes GLC electric model has been particularly well-received, with sales more than tripling between the second and third quarters. The CLA electric model also continues to see growth (+24% over a quarter), as does the GLB electric model.

Furthermore, Mercedes claims that the electric GLC, CLA, GLB, and GLA models are already sold out in Europe for the rest of 2026. To meet this high demand, the factories in Bremen, Rastatt, and Kecskemét are operating with three shifts.

But Mercedes still struggles in China

However, these positive results should not obscure the manufacturer’s difficulties. Globally, car sales declined by 8% to 407,200 units in the quarter. The main issue lies in China, where deliveries dropped by 31%. Mercedes faces particularly fierce competition in this market, with the CLA model struggling especially. In contrast, sales increased by 5% in Europe and 4% in North America.

The contrast is thus striking. Mercedes sells fewer cars worldwide, but more electric models. It remains to be seen whether this trend will allow the manufacturer to sustainably overcome its difficulties in China.