Gasgoo Munich- The China Auto Dealers Chamber of Commerce issued a statement on February 2, 2026. It revealed that Mercedes-Benz adjusted the manufacturer's suggested retail price for select models on February 1, cutting them by roughly 10%. The chamber views this as a "pragmatic step" toward a broader overhaul of dealer commercial policies.
Image source: Mercedes-Benz
The move comes in response to an earlier communication from the chamber. On January 28, the body released a report addressing appeals from Mercedes-Benz dealers. While the latest statement acknowledges that the price cuts will free up some dealer liquidity, it emphasizes that the gap remains wide compared to dealers' overall demands. Mercedes-Benz, for its part, has signaled during talks that it takes the issues seriously and plans further adjustments to its commercial policies.
The statement also pinpointed urgent areas for policy optimization, particularly the rebate settlement issues that have sparked strong dealer backlash. For instance, some rebate payment cycles stretch beyond 180 days—the longest among mainstream brands. Additionally, rebates on domestically produced Mercedes-Benz models cannot be withdrawn as cash; they can only be applied toward purchasing new inventory. The chamber urged Mercedes-Benz to address these grievances swiftly to improve the business climate for dealers.
Beyond Mercedes-Benz, the chamber widened its focus to the broader auto industry. It noted a recent surge in complaints from dealers of other brands regarding unreasonable commercial practices. Key grievances include bloated inventory, severe price inversions, and restrictive conditions for rebates and annual bonuses, alongside arbitrary policy adjustments. The chamber said it is conducting verification research on brands where these issues are most acute.
Consequently, the chamber issued a call to action to all automakers (OEMs), urging them to proactively review their commercial policies. It specifically asked for immediate optimization of rules that are non-compliant, unreasonable, or unfair—particularly those drawing concentrated dealer complaints. The chamber stressed that as the auto market undergoes structural reshaping, building a harmonious, win-win relationship between manufacturers and dealers is critical to weathering current challenges. Moving forward, the chamber plans to coordinate with regulators and relevant brands based on its findings.
