The market continues its decline.
As automakers race to lay the foundations for all-electric futures, electric vehicles are on the horizon. As companies move towards a new paradigm, it will be exciting to witness the transition. There will also be a lot of uncertainty. However, this change could lead to casualties at Mercedes.
Markus Schafer, Mercedes-Benz’s Chief Operating Officer, stated to Autocar at this week’s Munich Motor Show the declining market for estate cars. Crossovers and SUVs are preferred by most customers in most markets, so the company could shift its focus. Automobile manufacturers are investing billions in electric vehicles. However, developing an electrified wagon to serve a declining segment would not be considered the best use of company funds at such a critical point. There are more profitable EVs that can be designed and built.
cabriolets are also on the chopping block. This market, like wagons is small, is also on the horizon. Schafer says that designing an all-electric convertible is not easy. It is difficult to conceal the battery’s bottom in a convertible with its sleeker proportions. The thick floor could render the traditional sedan unrecognizable. Today, Daimler’s chief design officer stated that designers must compensate for the extra height of the car due to the battery. Future EVs will likely combine several body styles into one sleek design. Automakers have new options, but EVs present new challenges.
Mercedes brought a host of all-electric vehicles to Munich. The AMG EQS and the Maybach EQS UHV were among the four new EVs on display. These are just the latest of a number of electric vehicles that the company has introduced this year. However, we have yet see an all-electric cabriolet and wagon. According to Schafer, neither of these are likely to be happening anytime soon.