Mercedes-Benz stock falls as two German plants face closure

Published on 09/22/2026 at 12:42 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Mercedes-Benz stock fell 1.0 percent to EUR 43.22 on September 22, 2026, as cost pressure hit sentiment. Metzler initiated coverage at EUR 47.

Schwarze markenfreie Luxuslimousine fährt bei Sonnenuntergang auf Küstenstraße mit Meeresblick — Schwarze Premium-Limousine auf kurvenreicher Küstenstraße bei Sonnenuntergang. Mercedes-Benz Group AG, ISIN DE0007100000, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Mercedes-Benz stock fell 1.0 percent to EUR 43.22 on Xetra at 9:28 a.m. on September 22, 2026. The move followed a warning that two German plants could close if the company cannot reduce its cost disadvantage.

Two plants face a cost test

According to Reuters on September 22, 2026, Mercedes-Benz said production in Germany is not competitive by international standards, particularly because of high labor costs.

Reuters reported on September 22, 2026, that Mercedes wants to preserve all German sites but could close one German assembly plant and one powertrain plant if costs are not reduced. The company said costs at its Hungarian plant are 70 percent lower than in Germany, giving the warning a concrete benchmark.

Stock trades below yearly high

The Xetra price of EUR 43.22 on September 22, 2026 stood below the 52-week high of EUR 62.34 reached on January 5, 2026. The quoted level would need to rise 44.26 percent to return to that high, while the reported 52-week low was EUR 42.63.

Bankhaus Metzler began coverage on September 22, 2026 with a Hold rating and a EUR 47 price target, according to Placera. The target is EUR 3.78 above the Xetra price, a premium of 8.74 percent, but it remains below the EUR 57.02 average target reported by Zonebourse on September 22, 2026.

Cost gap shapes the valuation

The plant warning links the stock reaction to operating economics rather than to a single vehicle launch. A 70 percent cost difference between Germany and Hungary shows why labor productivity, working time and site utilization have become central to the equity story.

Mercedes-Benz stock closed in the Xetra reference market at EUR 43.22 on September 22, 2026, with the 52-week range at EUR 42.63 to EUR 62.34. The immediate market signal was negative, while the proposed plant changes could become a measurable source of savings if management and labor representatives reach an agreement.