Mercedes is starting a huge electric vehicle (EV) model offensive between now and 2022, which will result in there being eight 'EQ'-branded EVs in the product line-up, sitting alongside the already-launched EQC SUV.
EQS, EQA and EQB first
In order of launching, this wave of Mercedes EQ models will begin with the EQS luxury saloon, to be built at the Sindelfingen plant in German and due on sale in the first half of 2021. Alongside that, the EQA compact SUV EV will go into production at the Rastatt factory in Germany, while the related EQB starts on the lines of the Kecskemet in Hungary at the same time - both of these will launch next year, and both will also be produced at the Beijing facility in China for markets in the Far East.
After that, the Bremen plant in Germany will start work on the EQE business saloon, again also to be built in China, and then Tuscaloosa in the US will start work on SUV variants of both the EQS and the EQE; the saloon EQE will arrive in late 2021, while the two SUVs will land sometime in 2022, to bring the full EV complement to eight - because the EQV electric MPV is imminent.
This is all part of Mercedes' plan to be carbon-neutral before 2040 arrives, under its 'Ambition 2039' banner. In conjunction with all of these new electric models, Mercedes battery-production network will go into overdrive to support the EVs, with all of Untertürkheim, Hedelfingen and Kamenz (all in Germany) as well as Jawor, Poland, and Beijing ramping up their workload in 2021. By 2022, Tuscaloosa will start making batteries for the SUV versions of the EQE and EQS.
'Mercedes EQ fireworks display'
Markus Schäfer, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, responsible for Daimler Group Research and COO of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: "With its 'Electric First' strategy, Mercedes-Benz is consistently on the path to CO₂ neutrality and is investing heavily in transformation. Our vehicle portfolio becomes electric and thus also our global production network with vehicle and battery factories. We intend to lead in the field of e-mobility and focus in particular on battery technology. We are taking a comprehensive approach, ranging from research and development to production, and also including strategic cooperation."
Jörg Burzer, member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz AG, for Production and Supply Chain, added: "The Mercedes-Benz production network is global, digital and flexible, and ready for the upcoming electric offensive - thanks, of course, to our highly qualified and motivated employees worldwide. We are now beginning a real Mercedes EQ fireworks display. Six electric product launches by 2022 underscore the strength and competence of our Mercedes-Benz production sites worldwide. The production network will have a total of six Mercedes EQ car locations. Local production of highly efficient battery systems plays a central role in the Mercedes-Benz strategy - coupled with a comprehensive sustainability concept that spans the entire life cycle of the battery all the way to recycling."