German automaker Mercedes-Benz sold 6% fewer vehicles in the first quarter of the year than in the same period last year, the company reported on Wednesday. During the quarter, Mercedes-Benz sold a total of 568,400 vehicles. The decline was led by an 8% drop in sales by the passenger car division, down to 463,000 vehicles, according to Mercedes-Benz. Sales of vans rose by 7% to 105,400. The decline in passenger cars is mainly due to model changes and restrictions in the supply chain in Asia, which “temporarily dampened” sales in the first quarter, the Stuttgart-based Mercedes-Benz announced. I…