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China auto market decline bigger than feared, Mercedes CEO says - Finance news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review
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China auto market decline bigger than feared, Mercedes CEO says

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on November 11, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: November 11, 2026

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China Auto Market Decline Exceeds Expectations, Warns Mercedes-Benz CEO

Mercedes-Benz CEO Highlights Unexpected Challenges in China’s Automotive Sector

Market Overview and CEO Commentary

BERLIN, Nov 11 (Reuters) - The decline in China's automotive market has been even greater than feared at the start of the year, Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kaellenius said at an industry conference in Berlin on Wednesday.

Unpredictability in Market Trends

"This predictability no longer exists. It's not zero, but it's definitely less than it was 20 years ago," Kaellenius said at the event hosted by industry publication Automobilwoche.

Impact on Premium Luxury Segment

The CEO pointed to data showing that China's auto market, the world's largest, slumped by 22% year to date, with an even sharper 30% fall in the premium luxury segment.

Reporting and Editorial Credits

(Reporting by Rachel More, editing by Thomas Seythal)

Key Takeaways

  • China’s overall auto market is down ~22% in 2026 year‑to‑date, with premium luxury brands falling about 30%—worse than earlier forecasts.
  • CPCA projects full‑year 2026 sales to be ~22% below 2025 peak (~18.5 million units), with only a modest ~2% rebound expected in 2027 (marketscale.com).
  • Domestic EVs continue to gain ground globally as exports surge: China’s passenger car exports rose over 70% through September 2026, even as internal demand slumped (apnews.com).

References

Frequently Asked Questions

How much has China's auto market declined in 2023?
China's auto market has slumped by 22% year to date in 2023, according to Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kaellenius.
What is the decline in the premium luxury auto segment in China?
The premium luxury segment in China's auto market fell by 30% year to date, a sharper drop than the overall market.
Who commented on the Chinese automotive market decline?
Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kaellenius discussed the steep decline in China's auto market at an industry conference in Berlin.
Why is the predictability of China's auto market questioned?
Mercedes-Benz CEO noted that market predictability in China is not as strong as it was 20 years ago, citing the significant 2023 decline.

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