(Reuters) - German carmaker Mercedes-Benz said on Monday its first-quarter unit sales of cars and vans fell 7%, hit by declining demand in China and Europe.

Deliveries fell to 529,200 cars and vans in the January-March period, compared with 568,400 units last year, while sales of battery electric vehicles dropped even more sharply by 10%, to 45,500 vehicles from 50,500 a year ago, the company said in a statement.

First-quarter sales of Mercedes Cars unit in America rose 1%, while it fell 10% in China. In Germany and Europe, sales were down 10% and 7% respectively, Mercedes Benz added.