According to a media report, Mercedes-Benz wants to forego a new platform for the top-of-the-range electric S-Class and E-Class models because of customers’ slower switch to electric cars. Instead of the MB.EA architecture planned from 2028, the existing Electric Vehicle Architecture (EVA2) will be further developed for cost reasons.
The “Handelsblatt” reported this on Monday. The manufacturer did not comment explicitly on the platforms, but explained: “To further develop our product portfolio, we use sustainable efficiencies between new and existing model series.” Production is set up flexibly for combustion engine and electric drives. “Demand is not keeping pace” Mercedes-Benz assumes that it will continue to build combustion engines and electric cars in parallel for longer than originally thought. Mercedes boss Ola Källenius declared in February that the goal of a complete switch to electric cars would not be achieved by 2030 under appropriate market conditions because demand was not keeping pace. Instead, the brand with the star only expects a sales share of up to 50 percent electrified cars – i.e. pure electric cars and hybrids – by the end of the decade. If there is enough demand, combustion engine models could be sold “well into the 30s,” Källenius said at the annual general meeting last week. “The pace of transformation is determined by market conditions and the wishes of our customers.” The longer transition phase with two types of drive has consequences for production. According to the “Handelsblatt”, a new production line should have been created with the completely new upper-class architecture MB.EA. To date, conventional and electrically motorized models have been built flexibly on one line in the German factory in Sindelfingen near Stuttgart. This will now be maintained for a longer period of time.Mercedes-Benz is under increasing pressure to save money because demand is weakening throughout the industry and the Swabians’ returns are also falling. The US electric car pioneer Tesla is in a similar situation, replacing its existing platform for smaller models instead of developing a new one.
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