Mercedes-Benz's core car sales fell in 2024, a tough year for the auto industry marked by waning demand in a weak economy, especially in key market China, the German luxury carmaker said on Friday.

Mercedes-Benz car and van sales fell 4% to 2.39 million vehicles in 2024 amid a challenging global market, with top-end vehicle sales weighed by market conditions in China, model changes and weak electric-vehicle demand.

Annual sales of battery-electric cars (BEV) dropped by 23 per cent to 185,100 vehicles, adding pressure on the carmaker as new, harsher EU CO2 emission reduction targets take effect this year

German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz sold fewer vehicles in 2024 than in the previous year, the company reported on Friday. The sales decline slowed somewhat in the fourth quarter thanks to a slight recovery in the Chinese market.

The previous year seems to have been a good one for luxury carmakers in India, with the two most popular brands – Mercedes and BMW – announcing double digit growth and reporting record sales figures.