Staff Writer
Mercedes-Benz plans to further intensify the company’s activities in the security and defense sector, reflecting its broader responsibility in a changing security environment.
Building on more than 45 years of experience with modifiable vehicles for security, rescue and defense applications including the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Sprinter and Vito, the company provides reliable base vehicles and chassis for specific operational requirements.
As a first step, Mercedes-Benz signed a memorandum of understanding with Munich-based TYTAN to explore potential cooperation in the area of vehicle-based defense applications, including a G-Class-based system for drone defense and operations as well as a Sprinter-based mobile drone carrier and command unit.
Despite a demanding market environment, the company said it remained on track in the second quarter while continuing to advance our product launch programme, Ola Källenius chief executive officer of Mercedes-Benz Group AG said.
Customer response to its new models is strong, with Mercedes-Benz Cars BEV sales up 51% and BEV order intake in Europe more than doubling in the quarter.
In the second half, we will focus on bringing more new models to customers while further improving our cost position and productivity.
Mercedes-Benz reported revenue of €32.1 billion in the second quarter (Q2 2025: €33.2 billion) and group Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) of €1.5 billion (Q2 2025: €1.3 billion), while continuing to execute its largest-ever product launch programme and further improving efficiency and productivity.
Group EBIT was supported by strong earnings at Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, Mercedes-Benz Vans and higher contributions from the Group reconciliation, partly offset by lower earnings at Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Group EBIT also included a positive effect of €131 million related to the planned sale of Athlon Group. Adjusted Group earnings before interest and taxes reached €2.3 billion (Q2 2025: €2.0 billion).
Mercedes-Benz made further progress with its Next Level Performance (NLP) programme, with cost measures continuing to support earnings in the second quarter.
At Group level, general administrative expenses decreased by 14%, and research and development expenditure declined by 12%, following last year’s investment peak for the Mercedes-Benz Cars product launch plan.
At Mercedes-Benz Cars, cost of sales declined by 7%. Efficiency measures also supported the cost position at Mercedes-Benz Vans and Mercedes-Benz Financial Services.
Building on a reduction in fixed costs of approximately 25% since 2019, the company began further intensifying its global productivity measures in June 2026, with a particular focus on its German locations.
