Hot! Mercedes-Benz, What's Next?

[GTA45E]

So the new AMG 4-door and SUV can run a gas engine also? I must have read it wrong.

M

You read that correctly.
If this is the case it would be the right move. Not everyone wants an EV. Plus, if this new GT ticks all the boxes with an ICE engine, it's going to attract previous owners of the 4-door GT.

 

[Rolf]

Quite an interesting article. I also reckon the new V8 will be used in the new AMG GT 4-dr and SUV as the owners of the current model will probably only want to change their models to new versions if they have a V8. The EV versions will cater for those who have a Taycan or Tesla Model S and want to change to an equivalent Mercedes EV 4dr.

2026 and 2027 is going to be something exciting to look forward to with the onslaught of new models.

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

You read that correctly.
If this is the case it would be the right move. Not everyone wants an EV. Plus, if this new GT ticks all the boxes with an ICE engine, it's going to attract previous owners of the 4-door GT.

Their mission is "You choose a car, then you choose the drivetrain" I think? So makes sense.

The V12 continues - great! But I doubt they'd make a new one. Unless they plan on making a new 4L V12 and 3L V8 (and maybe a 2.25L inlin 6??) based on the M252 from the new CLA...

 

[Rolf]

Mercedes CEO Warns Europe's Car Industry Could Collapse: 'We Need a Reality Check'
Unless the EU changes its mind, automakers are heading 'full speed against a wall.'

Only a few years ago, Mercedes-Benz was confident about going all-in on electric vehicles in Europe. In 2021, it projected that by the end of the decade, it would stop selling cars with combustion engines "where market conditions allow." Not only has the luxury brand dropped this ambitious goal, but it has also taken a 180-degree turn. Without ICE vehicles, the company’s head honcho believes the local automotive industry will "collapse."

In an interview with the German business newspaper Handelsblatt (subscription required), Ola Källenius warned that if the EU’s sales ban on new combustion-engine cars remains in place for 2035, Europe’s automotive industry will implode:

The Mercedes boss, who is also president of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), cautions that the continent’s car industry will “collapse” if the EU doesn’t drop the ban. Before regulators outlaw new ICE vehicles, Källenius predicts customers will rush to buy gas and diesel cars ahead of the deadline, set to take effect in nine and a half years, which “doesn’t help the climate at all.”

He is 100% correct, if the EU don't relax their ban on ICE engines by 2035 then the European car industry will implode. The take up rate for buying EV is not as high as they would have anticipated. Too many obstacles with the high purchase price, lack of incentives, lack of a robust charging network and depreciation fears are making people hesitant to buy

 

[Design FIRST]

Too many obstacles with the high purchase price

Of course, far less of an issue for those who lease. And their numbers are steadily increasing. But for BUYERS, new EV's remain far too expensive in many cases. Auto manufacturers are also at fault, propagating lower manufacturing costs and production efficiencies that would make EV's considerably less expensive than ICE vehicles. It hasn't worked out that way so far, though. And many consumers are suspecting greedy, cash grabs by manufacturers.

lack of incentives,

Here in Germany, the initial incentives were soon cancelled or capped. This obviously seriously obstructs a far more timely transformation. A political as well as industry problem.

lack of a robust charging network

I'm not quite sure whether this is such a big issue in my country. In secluded rural areas yes, but in metropolitan regions far lesser so if at all.

and depreciation fears are making people hesitant to buy

Those fears alleviated by way of leasing. However, leasing rates can be steep, far too steep actually, for private non-business customers. Manufactuers and service providers need to become far more innovative with far more flexible leasing/rental models for private non-business consumers.

 

[Design FIRST]

You sure you posted this enough times lol?

Must say that I find the dash/screen solution imagined at 3:15 quite interesting.

 

[SKY]

Mercedes CEO Warns Europe's Car Industry Could Collapse: 'We Need a Reality Check'
Unless the EU changes its mind, automakers are heading 'full speed against a wall.'

Only a few years ago, Mercedes-Benz was confident about going all-in on electric vehicles in Europe. In 2021, it projected that by the end of the decade, it would stop selling cars with combustion engines "where market conditions allow." Not only has the luxury brand dropped this ambitious goal, but it has also taken a 180-degree turn. Without ICE vehicles, the company’s head honcho believes the local automotive industry will "collapse."

In an interview with the German business newspaper Handelsblatt (subscription required), Ola Källenius warned that if the EU’s sales ban on new combustion-engine cars remains in place for 2035, Europe’s automotive industry will implode:

@Ursula Von der Silly.

 

[Design FIRST]

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[hannaz]

I dont think its accurate but just sharing what I saw in IG

 

[lukeswiss]

I dont think its accurate but just sharing what I saw in IG

 

[Luca]

MERCEDES WIRFT LUXUS ÜBER BORD – KÄLLENIUS STARTET RISKANTEN NEUSTART
MARKUS JORDAN·
MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG
·16. AUGUST 2025·1 MINUTE LESEDAUER
Unter Ola Källenius setzte Mercedes-Benz jahrelang kompromisslos auf Luxus: mehr Maybach, mehr AMG, weniger Kompaktmodelle. Nun verschwindet das Wort „Luxus“ jedoch still und leise aus der Konzernstrategie. Was steckt hinter diesem Schritt – und ist es kluger Pragmatismus oder ein Eingeständnis des Scheiterns?

 

[SKY]

MERCEDES WIRFT LUXUS ÜBER BORD – KÄLLENIUS STARTET RISKANTEN NEUSTART
MARKUS JORDAN·
MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG
·16. AUGUST 2025·1 MINUTE LESEDAUER
Unter Ola Källenius setzte Mercedes-Benz jahrelang kompromisslos auf Luxus: mehr Maybach, mehr AMG, weniger Kompaktmodelle. Nun verschwindet das Wort „Luxus“ jedoch still und leise aus der Konzernstrategie. Was steckt hinter diesem Schritt – und ist es kluger Pragmatismus oder ein Eingeständnis des Scheiterns?

????

 

[Ozy]

Supposedly the sketches of the electric C class. Very similar to the GLC - obviously - but also reminds me of the w124/140 designs, with more rectangular headlights and grill, imho very promising.

 

[Swissbob]

????

MERCEDES JACKLES LUXURY – KÄLLENIUS LAUNCHES RISKY REBOOT
MARKUS JORDAN ·
MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG
·AUGUST 16, 2025 · 1 MINUTE READ
Under Ola Källenius, Mercedes-Benz has been uncompromisingly committed to luxury for years: more Maybachs, more AMGs, fewer compact models. Now, however, the word "luxury" is quietly disappearing from the company's strategy. What's behind this move – and is it wise pragmatism or an admission of failure?

 

[SKY]

MERCEDES JACKLES LUXURY – KÄLLENIUS LAUNCHES RISKY REBOOT
MARKUS JORDAN ·
MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG
·AUGUST 16, 2025 · 1 MINUTE READ
Under Ola Källenius, Mercedes-Benz has been uncompromisingly committed to luxury for years: more Maybachs, more AMGs, fewer compact models. Now, however, the word "luxury" is quietly disappearing from the company's strategy. What's behind this move – and is it wise pragmatism or an admission of failure?

But of course. MB as a brand has lost equity in the last 5 years. Who is buying its top end models? I have barely seen a few SL and AMG GT of the latest generation. S-Class AMG is a rare sight too, and same goes for the C63. This was not the case 5-10 years ago.

MB needs a complete overhaul of its exterior and interior design. Its halo cars need to be something else. Not just a modified SL, something special, like the SLS was back in 2009. And its fit and finish needs to go back to where it was 10 years ago.

I really don't see MB being up to the task. You can see the company is entirely devoted to margins and has lost its way so badly.

 

[leylandi]

GLC

 

[Swissbob]

Finally no shiny black plastic anymore.

At least on the doors.

But also no Buttons for memory, heating and ventilation which is a little bit disappointing.

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

Finally no shiny black plastic anymore.

At least on the doors.

But also no Buttons for memory, heating and ventilation which is a little bit disappointing.

I assume that is spec dependent. Or they've moved the memory function elsewhere.

 

[Swissbob]

I assume that is spec dependent. Or they've moved the memory function elsewhere.

I guess they’ve moved it on the screen like in the new CLA.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

GLC

The seat adjustment looks promising.