Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will be ending the production of its EQ electric lineup in the United States. The EQC 400 4MATIC, which was produced at the company’s Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant, is being discontinued after less than a year of sales. The decision to end U.S. production of the EQ lineup was made after a series of production setbacks, including the need for a major recall to address a potential fire risk.
The EQC 400 4MATIC was the first all-electric vehicle produced by Mercedes-Benz. The vehicle was intended to compete with the Tesla Model X and the Audi e-tron. However, the vehicle’s starting price of $67,900 was significantly higher than its competitors. Mercedes-Benz also struggled to meet production targets for the EQC 400 4MATIC, which further limited the vehicle’s sales potential.
Despite the cancellation of the EQC 400 4MATIC, Mercedes-Benz has indicated that it remains committed to producing electric vehicles. The company is planning to release an all-electric version of its S-Class sedan, which is expected to be available in 2022. Mercedes-Benz is also planning to release an all-electric compact SUV, which will be called the EQB.
If you’re interested in purchasing an EQC 400 4MATIC before it’s discontinued, now might be the best time to buy. Mercedes-Benz has slashed the price of the vehicle by $8,000, which reduces the starting price to $59,900. The company is also offering 0% financing for 36 months to qualified buyers. With these incentives, the EQC 400 4MATIC is more affordable than ever.
2022 EQS 450+ and 2023 EQE 350: The Last of the Mercedes-Benz Electric Vehicles
The EQS 450+ is the first all-electric vehicle in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class lineup. The EQS 450+ is powered by a 329-horsepower electric motor and a 107.8-kilowatt-hour battery pack. This powertrain allows the EQS 450+ to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and achieve an estimated range of 350 miles.
The 2023 EQE 350 is the first all-electric vehicle in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class lineup. The EQE 350 is powered by a 288-horsepower electric motor and a 90-kilowatt-hour battery pack. This powertrain allows the EQE 350 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds and achieve an estimated range of 410 miles.
What’s Next for Mercedes-Benz Electric Vehicles?
Mercedes is one of the few automakers that have yet to announce a plan to end production of gas-powered vehicles. However, the company is leaning into electric vehicles, and the EQS is just the beginning. The EQE is expected to be released in 2022, followed by the EQB and EQA in 2023. The EQE is expected to be priced to compete with the BMW i4 and the Tesla Model 3.
How Does the 2022 EQS 450+ Compare to the 2021 EQS 450+?
The only real difference between the 2022 EQS 450+ and the 2021 EQS 450+ is the price. The 2022 EQS 450+ starts at $103,360, while the 2021 model starts at $102,310. However, the 2022 EQS 450+ offers more standard features than the 2021 model. The 2022 EQS 450+ comes standard with the Driver Assistance Package, which includes Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC®, Active Steering Assist, Active Speed Limit Assist, and Route-Based Speed Adaptation. The 2022 EQS 450+ also comes standard with 20-inch wheels, while the 2021 model comes standard with 19-inch wheels.
What Do You Get With the 2023 EQE 350?
The 2023 EQE 350 is the first of the EQE lineup to hit the U.S. market. The base model includes a 90.6-kWh battery pack and an electric motor that produces 288 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. The single-speed transmission will send power to the rear wheels, and Mercedes estimates the range to be around 300 miles on a single charge.
Inside, the EQE 350 comes standard with the MBUX Hyperscreen system, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch OLED touchscreen in the center console. The base model also comes with a 360-degree camera system, active parking assistance, and a Burmeister sound system.
How Much Does the 2022 EQS 450+ Cost?
The 2022 EQS 450+ starts at $102,310, which is a bit higher than the 2022 Tesla Model S. However, the starting price can quickly climb depending on the options you choose. The 2022 EQS 450+ can reach over $150,000, and that’s before the AMG and 4MATIC models go on sale.
The 2022 EQS 450+ is available for order and should hit dealerships by the end of the year. If you want to get your hands on one of the last U.S.-built Mercedes-EQ models, you better act fast.
How Much Does the 2023 EQE 350 Cost?
The 2023 EQE 350 starts at $66,000 before destination and delivery fees. This price point makes the EQE 350 the most affordable electric luxury sedan in the Mercedes-Benz lineup. The 2023 EQS starts at $102,310, and the 2023 EQS SUV starts at $105,150. The 2023 EQB, which is the most affordable electric SUV in the lineup, starts at $51,600.
The 2023 EQE 350 will hit dealerships in the spring of 2023. Be sure to contact your local Mercedes-Benz dealership to get your pre-order in today.
Conclusion
The days of the Mercedes EQC are sadly numbered in the U.S., but that doesn’t mean that the brand is giving up on EVs. Mercedes has announced that it’s investing $1 billion in its Alabama plant to produce electric vehicles under the EQ brand. The first of these vehicles will be the EQS, an all-electric luxury sedan that’s expected to have a range of up to 435 miles on a single charge. The EQS is expected to go into production in the first half of 2021. The brand is also planning to produce the EQE, an all-electric luxury sedan that will be smaller and less expensive than the EQS. The EQE will be produced in Germany and is expected to go into production in the second half of 2021.
The EQC may be going away, but the future of Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles looks bright.
