Mercedes is changing its electric car strategy

Within its EQ range, Mercedes-Benz already sells nine 100% electric vehicles. But with the recent arrival of the battery-powered G-Class, the German manufacturer has decided to review the name of its models…

Mercedes-Benz will significantly revise its electric strategy in the coming years.

Already nine electric models in Mercedes-Benz

Launched in 2019 with the EQC SUV, the name EQ (for Half Electric) designates the brand’s 100% electric models.to distinguish them from “Danger” which refers to heat and hybrid models.
Since then we have seen it posted on many models: EQV (Electric Class V) in 2020EQA, EQB, EQS and EQE in 2021, EQS SUV and EQT in 2022. In short, you will have understood, Mercedes finally intends to offer each of its models in a 100% electric EQ variant.
Nine models are already on the list of the brand, and several new products are expected soon. This is especially the case for G-Class “mastodon” which will be available in electric version this year. The electric CLA and C-Class will follow later. But this is a surprise, none of these models will wear the EQ badge.
Mercedes has decided to abandon this name, returning to the good old “Danger”, even for 100% electric models! So there will be no EQG, but only an electrical Grade G, which portera le nom « G580 with EQ Technology », The EQ badge is no longer part of the model name. But why such a change, just four years after the birth of EQ?

Adieu EQ

Mercedes is not the only manufacturer to completely change the nomenclature for its electric models, we have seen a similar situation there. Volkswagen (ID)Hyundai (IONIQ), Kia (EV) or even BMW (i).
The problem is that these names have less sales than those that have been used historically (Golf, Tucson, Sportage, Series 5, etc.), because they are recent and still speak to very few people.
And if the future of Europe is electric, the gradual disappearance of heat and hybrid models would be pushed towards the release of iconic models and names, of which the G-Class and C-Class are a part. Last January, Volkswagen already mentioned the idea of changing the strategy, returning to more common names, supported by the identification badge (ID.Golf, ID.Polo, ID.Tiguan, etc.).
Mercedes is finally the first to take that course by abandoning this very fancy word. After the G-Class, all new models launched in the market will leave the EQ badge. For others that are already sold, they will continue their career in this form, such as the EQS that will soon be redesigned and will retain its name.

The new electric G580 will be presented as a world premiere at the Beijing Motor Show on April 25, along with the redesigned EQS.