The automotive manufacturer Mercedes-Benz appears to be restoring significant focus to the private passenger transportation market. According to reports from the “Handelsblatt”, which cited industry insiders from the corporation, the taxi sector, and the automotive trade, Mercedes is reportedly considering selling more vehicles in Germany for private transport in the coming years. One dealer stated that “Mercedes has reopened the door to the taxi business to some extent.” Insiders suggest the corporation also intends to launch its luxurious large-capacity van, the VLE, as a taxi model.
When contacted by the “Handelsblatt”, a Mercedes spokesperson confirmed that the company closely monitors the taxi market. “We are constantly analyzing changes in demand and the requirements of our customers,” the spokesperson noted. Market research firm Dataforce data indicates that in the first half of the year, Mercedes models accounted for 18 percent of new taxi registrations in Germany. This is notably higher than the 8 percent recorded in the first half of 2025. However, it is worth noting that in 2022, Mercedes represented 45 percent of new taxi registrations.
Historically, Mercedes served as a long-standing supplier to nearly 17,000 German taxi operators. Yet, several years ago, the company largely withdrew from the business due to weak profit margins. This situation has changed, however, as Mercedes has adjusted its luxury strategy in response to lower overall sales figures, an adjustment that is also affecting the taxi market.
The recent growth is primarily driven by the conventional Mercedes taxi model, the E-Class. In the first half of the year, 126 of these sedan models were registered as taxis in Germany, compared to only 72 for the entire year of 2025. Since January, Mercedes has offered taxi operators a 24 percent discount on the list price for two diesel versions of the E-Class, bringing the vehicle cost below 40,000 Euros.
Unlike in the past, these Mercedes taxis are no longer sold directly by the manufacturer. Mercedes communicated that its strategy remains unchanged regarding not offering factory-modified taxi models. Instead, conversion is now carried out by specialized firms, which retrofit normal series models into taxis starting from late 2024.
