While the two-door Merc is still available, electric vehicles are becoming the most important option.
Mercedes must spend wisely to ensure its electric future. It needs to focus on high-volume sales to finance the development of its EQ line of zero-emission vehicles. This means that niche models are at risk. Therefore, the SLC and S-Class Coupe have been terminated. It turns out that there are additional two-door models in danger.
Interview with Autocar: Markus Schafer, chief operating officer, admitted that the company’s portfolio is getting too large. “We had close to 50 vehicles last yea, and we have more on the electric side with the EQ line. There are limitations to what we can do for research and development.
He said that some models are currently in production and it’s not worth the effort to make them more popular. Schafer said that “significant changes” are underway in the portfolio. Mercedes will not abandon coupes or convertibles completely, but the main focus will be on electric vehicles.
“That’s why it’s shifting: we’re continuing with coupes, cabriolets in future, but in different forms and shapes. The segment is very important and we will continue to use it as a brand-shaper. However, maybe with a smaller offering.”
Okay, so which models will be kept and which ones will be discontinued? The SLC and the two-door S-Class have been discontinued. A next generation SL roadster will be available this year. It will be followed by the AMG GT Coupe with largely the same underpinnings. Convertible and Coupe E-Class were both recently redesigned and will remain for the time being.
This means that the 2022 C Class, which was unveiled yesterday in sedan or wagon formats, might not receive a coupe or convertible derivative for the next generation. We haven’t seen spy photos of the two-door C-Class prototypes in testing, so we aren’t surprised that this is happening.
Mercedes lists swoopy sedans such as the CLA or CLS in its coupe category on its official website, but Schafer was not referring to these. A new model of the C-Class sedan was being considered at the beginning of development to compete with the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. However, it was eventually dropped. It was referred to as a CLC revival with back doors according to reports. But that is no longer the case.
Mercedes will introduce a new model, despite plans to reduce the number of combustion-engined cars. The C Class All-Terrain is being introduced to compete with the Audi A4 Allroad. However, it’s not an entirely different vehicle as it’s essentially the same C-Class Estate, but it has a rugged appearance and a lifted suspension.