Finance

Mercedes-Benz expects Q2 margin headwind of less than 3% over tariffs, brokerage Bernstein says

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on June 30, 2025

2 min read

· Last updated: January 23, 2026

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Mercedes-Benz expects Q2 margin headwind of less than 3% over tariffs, brokerage Bernstein says
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FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Mercedes-Benz expects tariff-related headwinds to the profit margin at its core cars division to be less than 3% in the second quarter, brokerage Bernstein wrote in a note,

Mercedes-Benz Anticipates Less Than 3% Margin Impact from Tariffs

FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Mercedes-Benz expects tariff-related headwinds to the profit margin at its core cars division to be less than 3% in the second quarter, brokerage Bernstein wrote in a note, following a regular investor call ahead of quarterly results.

This was due to "some de-escalation of tensions between the US and China, some tariff offsets and timing because tariffs were only ramping up in April", the brokerage said following a call with Mercedes-Benz's head of investor relations.

The investor call, which was closed to the press, was held before a closed period on company information before second-quarter results scheduled for July 30.

Mercedes-Benz in April pulled its earnings guidance for 2025 amid uncertainty over the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on car imports.

The German carmaker's finance chief at the time only said that if auto tariffs -- implemented in April -- remained in place all year, it would reduce profit margins by 300 basis points (3%) on cars and 100 basis points (1%) on vans.

Mercedes-Benz's European car sales were said to be "robust", and the U.S. saw continued solid momentum at the retail level, Bernstein said in the note.

Mercedes-Benz was not immediately available for comment.

(Reporting by Christoph Steitz; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)

Key Takeaways

  • Mercedes-Benz expects less than 3% margin impact from tariffs in Q2.
  • US-China trade tensions have somewhat de-escalated.
  • Tariffs were only ramping up in April, affecting timing.
  • Mercedes-Benz's European sales remain robust.
  • US retail momentum for Mercedes-Benz continues strong.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the expected margin impact for Mercedes-Benz in Q2?
Mercedes-Benz expects the margin headwind in its core cars division to be less than 3% in the second quarter due to tariff-related factors.
What factors contributed to the reduced margin impact?
The brokerage Bernstein noted that a de-escalation of tensions between the US and China, along with some tariff offsets and timing, contributed to the reduced margin impact.
When are Mercedes-Benz's second-quarter results scheduled to be released?
The second-quarter results for Mercedes-Benz are scheduled for release on July 30.
How did tariffs affect Mercedes-Benz's earnings guidance for 2025?
In April, Mercedes-Benz pulled its earnings guidance for 2025 amid uncertainty regarding the impact of U.S. tariffs on car imports.
What is the sales performance of Mercedes-Benz in Europe and the U.S.?
According to Bernstein, Mercedes-Benz's European car sales were robust, and the U.S. market continued to show solid momentum at the retail level.

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