Mercedes-Benz cut its full-year profit margin target for the second time in less than two months, hitting European auto stocks as it joined a growing number of rivals that are blaming a weakening Chinese car market,

Mercedes-Benz Group shares fell 8% on Friday after the German carmaker made another cut to its full-year guidance, citing a slowdown in car sales caused by a slump in China’s economy. The Stuttgart company said the cut to its outlook,

The German luxury carmaker said the move was triggered by the further deterioration of the macroeconomic environment, specifically in China.

Chinese automaker BYD Co. has moved to fully control a joint venture it had in China with Mercedes-Benz Group AG, as an increasing number of foreign carmakers dial back their exposure to the world’s biggest auto market.

Mercedes-Benz and its Chinese joint venture with BAIC Motor will recall a total of 523,094 imported and domestically manufactured vehicles in China over potential safety hazards, China's market regulator said on Friday.

Mercedes shares fell more than 8% Friday after the German carmaker cut its 2024 guidance on the back of weaker demand from China.

Reuters said Mercedes shares fell to their lowest level in nearly two years after the profit warning disclosed late on Thursday and were the top decliners among European auto stocks. Economic weakness in China as well as a local real estate crisis has severely hit demand,

Chief executive Ola Källenius told analysts on Friday that the company’s issues stemmed “mainly [from] China” but added that in other markets, such as Europe, Mercedes-Benz was also still feeling “the [impact] of higher interest rates”.