by Mercedes-Benz will continue to produce vehicles with ICE
Despite the active development of electric vehicles, Mercedes-Benz does not plan to quickly abandon traditional internal combustion engines. The company has officially confirmed that vehicles with ICE will remain in their lineup significantly longer than previously anticipated.
The brand’s immediate plans include the parallel production of models with both electric and conventional powertrains. This applies to new generations of popular series, including the GLC, C-Class, and E-Class. The company’s CEO, Ola Källenius, in a comment for Auto Motor und Sport, called this approach a “course correction”.
“High-tech internal combustion engines will last longer than we expected. The smartest approach in the current situation is to develop both directions simultaneously,” Källenius noted.
Electric models will receive new platforms
Simultaneously, Mercedes-Benz is actively preparing a new generation of electric vehicles on the MB.EA platform. It involves the use of an 800-volt system and support for fast charging up to 320 kW. The first electric novelties will be concept models, which will later be supplemented by production versions of popular lineups.
Interestingly, the brand’s strategy involves the parallel sale of electric and conventional versions of the same models – similar to how Porsche implements this with the Macan in North America. This approach will allow the company to flexibly respond to demand in different regions, especially where the infrastructure for electric vehicles is still developing.
Despite changes in strategy, Mercedes-Benz remains one of the leaders in the electric vehicle transformation. The company continues to invest in new technologies, while avoiding drastic steps that could alienate conservative buyers. This balance between innovation and tradition could be the key to success in the uncertain conditions of the global auto market.
