Mercedes Sold More GLEs Than Ever But Still Couldn’t Beat BMW

A Steady Year for Mercedes-Benz in America

Mercedes-Benz concluded 2025 with 303,200 passenger cars sold in the US, just a hair higher than the previous year by 1 percent. Add the 40,000 vans delivered, and the total US tally lands at 343,200 units. As expected, SUVs carried most of the weight, showing exactly where American premium vehicle buyers are putting their money.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE, built in Alabama, just had its best sales year ever, up 14 percent over 2024. A strong finish in the fourth quarter helped, with demand climbing 12 percent in those last months. The GLC wasn’t far off either, ending the year with a 20 percent jump. Both models kept Mercedes-Benz firmly in the lead when it comes to premium SUVs.

Not everything was headed upward, though. Vans finished the year down 14 percent from 2024, even with a small lift in the last quarter. Passenger car growth stayed modest, especially as competitors rolled out more incentives and updated models.

Performance Models and a Familiar Rivalry

At the top end, Mercedes-Benz still found plenty of takers. Mercedes-AMG sales climbed 12 percent, setting a new record. The G-Class did even better with a 26 percent increase over last year – also marking its best year yet.

Some core models picked up speed, too. The CLE jumped 53 percent year-over-year, and entry-level options like the GLA grew 21 percent. Those gains helped offset slower sellers in the rest of the lineup.

Even so, Mercedes-Benz wasn’t the biggest winner in US luxury sales for 2025. BMW set another all-time record, showing just how fierce the competition is. Mercedes’ numbers look steadier than spectacular, relying on strong SUV demand instead of big leaps in total volume.

A Bigger Picture Globally

On the global front, Mercedes-Benz Group moved 2,160,000 cars and vans in 2025, which is 10 percent lower than last year. The fourth quarter was the highlight, with 558,400 units sold and a 6 percent bump over Q3, making it the strongest stretch of the year.

AMG deliveries were up 7 percent worldwide, and the G-Class hit another global sales record. Mercedes-Benz leadership says 2025 kicked off their most ambitious product and tech push yet, with new electric platforms and software-focused models paving the way for 2026. An update to the S-Class flagship is also on the way, so that’s something to watch out for this year.

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