Hot! Mercedes-Benz, What's Next?

[hannaz]

Created a special thread for Fuel-Cell truck concept

Concept - Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Fuel-Cell Concept truck

Daimler Trucks presents technology strategy for electrification – world premiere of Mercedes-Benz fuel-cell concept truck Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck, a fuel-cell truck with a range of up to 1,000 kilometers and more for flexible and demanding long-haul transport – customer trials in 2023...

germancarforum.com

 

[leylandi]

Mercedes 2021'i elektrikli otomobil yılı ilan etti

Merdedes-Benz 2021'i elektrikli otomobil yılı ilan etti: 2021 için dört prömiyer onaylandı. EQA, EQB ve EQS'ye ek olarak, başka bir EVA2 aracı da ortaya çıkıyor.


Plug-in hibrid modelleri Mercedes Benz de patlama vardır. A ve B-Serisi'nin yanı sıra CLA ve GLA'daki 5 kompakt 250e modeli ile Mercedes mükemmel bir konuma sahiptir. Bafa'nın çifte çevre bonusu sayesinde müşteriler çok sayıda araç sipariş ediyor. Teslimat süreleri bazen çok uzundur .

Tamamen elektrikli araçlar söz konusu olduğunda, 2020 yılında en azından ünite sayısı açısından önemli artışlar sağlanmalıdır.

As a result of the environmental bonus, sales of the EQC will increase significantly from September, but no later than the 4th quarter of 2020. But the target of 50,000 EQC in 2020 will very clearly be missed. Perhaps, according to Jesmb prognosis, one can sell another 20,000 EQC.

The change year 2020-2, presumably available for order in October, will then bring the long-awaited 11-KW charger (3-phase) (from production December 2020) . This shortens the charging time at an AC wallbox / charging station from 11 to 7.5 hours.

In addition, a reduced-power variant following China was also able to come onto the market in Europe. The EQC 350 4matic develops 286 hp and accelerates to 100 km / h in 6.9 seconds. The range is then still around 414 km according to WLTP.

The EQV 300 and the commercial vehicle brother eVito Tourer will continue to be launched at the end of 2020.

But one is missing in 2020. The EQA!

Mercedes EQA on winter testing in Lapland

2021 the electric car year:
On February 25, 2020, before the full extent of the corona pandemic and the resulting economic crisis, it was said: “This year, the series version will have its premiere as the fully electric brother of the GLA. Prototypes of the EQA are currently underway during the demanding winter trials in the far north. "
Nothing will come of it now. The EQA has been postponed to 2021!

Due to the upcoming factory sale in Hambach, where the EQB was originally supposed to roll off the assembly line in 2021, production capacities have to be reallocated. This also negatively affects the start-up of the EQA and thus the world premiere has also been postponed to 2021.

Mercedes-Benz is currently announcing four new electric cars for 2021:

EQA (EVA1.5)
EQB (EVA1.5)
EQS (EVA 2)
In addition, another EVA 2 model (presumably EQE sedan (V295)) will celebrate its premiere at the end of 2021.

Mercedes EQS Erlkönig

To the EQA and EQB:

The EQA is based on the GLA (MFA2). So it does not build on its own electric platform like the EVA2 vehicles. The EQB is based on the well-known GLB.

Both vehicles are driven on the front axle as standard. Compared to the EQC, however, significantly more model variants should be retained, comparable to today's petrol models. That means there will also be higher performance levels with 4matic (all-wheel drive). That means that a second electric machine is installed on the rear axle. There will also be an AMG variant. The machine is probably blocked with the EQC. In other words, the eATS from ZF are used. Whether a possible Mercedes-AMG EQA 45 4matic will produce the same 408 hp as the EQC 400 4matic has not yet been confirmed.

Mercedes-Benz customers who want to switch to a Mercedes electric car can use the EQ ready app to track their own driving behavior over a certain period of time in advance and then check whether the individual driving profile is suitable for the electric cars (more on this at the end of the article).

Based on this knowledge, 96% of all journeys are shorter than 100 km.

Mercedes-Benz will therefore not equip the EQA and EQB with longer ranges than the EQC. That means, depending on the engine variant, jesmb expects ranges of 350 to 420 km.

From a rational point of view, Mercedes-Benz is right that more is not necessary and that higher battery capacities, only increase the vehicle weight and the vehicle price. But most people who switch are rather skeptical at the beginning and therefore prefer more range first.

With the EQA and EQB, Mercedes-Benz will be offering high-quality premium compact cars which, with their MBUX, have an excellent infotainment system. In addition, they have a very good processing quality and feel. These are points that a buyer cannot find with a VW id.3 or VW id.4. But the id.3 and id.4 optionally have a 77 kWh battery (net, gross 82 kwh), which will nip the range fear of a first-time electric car buyer in the bud.

In combination with the large 77 kWh battery, the VW id.3 becomes a 4-seater (the large battery reduces the load)
Whether such a high battery capacity is required in a compact car may be an open question, but if the customer wants it from irrational customers, Mercedes-Benz cannot make an offer here.

Here Mercedes could still score with a high DC charging capacity. But you still have to wait for the premiere here. The highest rated charging power of an EQB at a public ionity charging station was 106 kW, i.e. at the level of the EQC. But maybe there is another positive surprise here.

Vision EQS interior, series version comes in 2021

The third electric car, the EQS , will be based on the EVA 2 platform and will roll off the assembly line in the new Factory 56 together with the new S-Class. Deliveries are expected to start in the second half of 2021. The range will be here at 700 km WLTP is the most economical configuration (probably only as rear-wheel drive).
The Mercedes-Benz teaser video for the EQS is available here.

İkinci EVA2 modeli yıl sonuna doğru sunulacak. Mercedes henüz 4 EVA2 modelinden hangisinin olacağını söylemedi.

Erlkonig gezi dayanarak, jesmb varsayar EQE sunulacak bir sedan (V295) olarak 2021 yılı sonunda ve 2022 den Bremen fabrikasından müşterilere teslim edileceğini.
Bunu, 2022'de dördüncü EVA2 modeli olarak EQE SUV ve daha sonra EQS SUV izleyecek.

 

[Wolfgang]

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[bialkov]

New Mercedes-Benz strategy announced - targeting structurally higher profitability

• New Mercedes-Benz strategy for the car business unveiled today at a virtual investor
  and analyst conference.
• The new strategy will enhance the Mercedes-Benz brand’s luxury status, raise the product
  portfolio’s positioning and mix, pursue significant growth for sub-brands AMG, Maybach,
  G and EQ and accelerate the development of electric drive and car software.
• Mercedes-Benz confirms its full commitment to electrification across all products and
  segments, unveils new dedicated electric architectures, and announces multiple new
  electric product launches.
• Four all-new electric vehicles on new large EVA architecture set for launch from 2021.
• New electric products coming for AMG, Maybach and G.
• New »Electric first« MMA platform in development for compact and medium sized cars.
• Expanded cost reduction plans unveiled that will drive down capex, R&D and fixed costs in
  absolute terms and will improve the industrial footprint.
• Financial ambitions sharpened: lowering break-even point, targeting higher profitability
  and strong cash conversion rate.

Stuttgart (Germany) – Mercedes-Benz has announced a new strategic course that will pursue profitable growth in the luxury segment and target leadership in electric drive and car software. “In recent years we have done many things right: design, product engineering, brand rejuvenation, sales growth. As a result, we have put Mercedes back on top again. But we have not yet lived up to our full potential in terms of turning volume success into profit growth. That’s why we have refocused and are launching our new strategy. We intend to build the world’s most desirable cars. It’s about leveraging our strengths as a luxury brand to grow economic value and enhancing the mix and positioning of our product portfolio. We will unlock the full potential of our unique sub-brands – AMG, Maybach, G and EQ. Our strategy is designed to avoid non-core activities to focus on winning where it matters: dedicated electric vehicles and proprietary car software. We will take action on structural costs, target strong and sustained profitability,” said Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG at a virtual investor and analyst conference titled »Mercedes-Benz Strategy Update« on October 6, 2020. Källenius also said “with this new strategy we are announcing our clear commitment to the full electrification of our product portfolio and our determination to ensure the business is fully carbon-neutral, in line with our Ambition 2039 target.”

The new Mercedes-Benz strategy is a comprehensive program that has been designed to power the company forward technologically and financially. It has six pillars:

Think and act like a luxury brand

Luxury has always been part of the soul of Mercedes-Benz. Going forward, the brand will see a renewed focus on luxury, making it an integral part of all products, customer interactions and digital technologies. Mercedes-Benz will reshape its product portfolio, brand communications and its sales network to deliver a true luxury experience - a luxury experience that will be electric, software-driven and sustainable.

Focus on profitable growth

Mercedes-Benz will take actions to improve and recalibrate its market strategy. These will focus on optimizing the balance between volume, price and channel mix to ensure improved contribution margins from the current and future portfolio. Mercedes-Benz will also focus its product development resources and capital on the most profitable parts of the market and the segments in which it competes, in order to ensure structurally higher profitability.

Expand customer base by growing sub-brands

Mercedes-Benz is the most valuable luxury car brand in the world, according to Interbrand. It will remain the guiding star. But Mercedes-Benz also has extraordinary sub-brands: AMG, Maybach, G and EQ. The new strategy will take them to the next level - accelerating their development, with clear and targeted plans to unlock their potential and drive substantial incremental EBIT growth.

AMG is set for the next level with high-performance electrification, starting in 2021. Its links with Formula 1 will also intensify next year, to reflect its identity as Mercedes’ high performance sub-brand. Maybach will pursue global opportunities, doubling in size and going electric. The demand for the legendary G is ahead of current capacity. The legend will grow, and will electrify. With the EQ brand, Mercedes-Benz will address a new audience with progressive high-technology products, built on dedicated electric architectures.

Embrace customers and grow recurrent revenues

Mercedes-Benz is committed to fostering life-long relationships with its customers. The aim is for customers to love owning a Mercedes-Benz and to be so satisfied by the relationship that they stay with the brand for a long-time, ideally forever. Now, Mercedes-Benz will aim for even stronger loyalty, higher repeat purchases and rapid growth in recurrent revenues – from services and parts and also increasingly from Over-the-Air (OTA) updates and subscription services. The growing number of connected cars provides very significant revenue opportunities in the future, as the Mercedes-Benz fleet will reach 20 million fully connected vehicles in total by 2025.

Lead in electric drive and car software

Mercedes-Benz is aiming to take the lead in electric drive and car software with ambitious product development targets and the accelerated introduction of new technology. As part of its »Electric First« strategy, Mercedes-Benz has announced four all-new electric vehicles based on its upcoming large-car Electric Vehicle Architecture (EVA). The EQS luxury sedan is the first representative of this new dedicated architecture and will reach the market in 2021 with an electric range of more than 700 km (WLTP). It will be followed by the EQE, the EQS-SUV and the EQE-SUV. In addition, AMG, Maybach and G will go electric. From 2025, multiple further models will be added to the electric vehicles portfolio on the second all-new dedicated electric platform, the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA) designed for compact and medium-sized cars.

Mercedes-Benz will shift even more of its product development resources and expertise to electric drive, and will invest in new technologies and concepts to accelerate electric range and efficiency. The next generation of eMotors are developed in house and will feature sophisticated inverter and high voltage technology. The company is making huge strides in battery technology - with in-house battery R&D complimented by close partnerships with key strategic partners CATL, Farasis and Sila Nano. New materials and production processes will increase range, reduce charging time and cost.

Mercedes-Benz also announced an exciting next step in electric vehicle development today, with the Vision EQXX technology program. The aim is to build an electric vehicle with spectacular efficiency and range. Mercedes-Benz has tasked its engineering group with pushing the boundaries of electric range and efficiency with a cross-functional, multi-disciplinary team based in Stuttgart, supported by specialists from the Mercedes-Benz F1 HPP group in the UK, who bring expertise in eMotors plus motorsport-inspired development speed. While Vision EQXX is a technology program, it is expected to result in innovations that will quickly make their way into series production cars.

In the area of car software, Mercedes-Benz has announced its own proprietary MB.OS operating system. This will be developed in-house and is scheduled for launch in 2024. It will allow Mercedes-Benz to centralize the control of all the vehicles’ domains and also its consumer interfaces. Proprietary software development will allow greater speed and more frequent updates, and will be designed around scalable architectures that will control future development costs.

“At Mercedes-Benz, we strive for nothing less than taking the lead in electric drive and car software. We will do this with an intelligent electric platform strategy and a proprietary software development approach,” said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, responsible for Daimler Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars COO. “We are going to do it the Mercedes way, bringing a true luxury experience to the world of electric and connected cars. We will leverage in-house technology development and strategic partnerships to deliver superb products. And from 2025 on, we are targeting strong contribution margins for all new architectures thanks to high commonality and controlled investment, and ongoing falls in the cost of battery systems. While we will expand the electrified portfolio towards a share of more than 50% of global sales by 2030, our investments in combustion engine development will decline quickly and the number of combustion engine variants will fall by 70% by 2030.”

Lower cost base and improve industrial footprint

Mercedes-Benz will improve its profitability and cash generation and take actions to prepare for the future and to accelerate the transition to electric drive. 2020’s events have confirmed that the company’s break-even point is too high and, with the transformational challenges ahead, further actions will be needed. Mercedes-Benz will therefore take significant new steps to reduce the cost base and improve the industrial footprint in the period to 2025.

Fixed costs will be cut by more than 20% by 2025 in absolute terms compared to the 2019 baseline, via reduced spending, capacity adjustments and lower personnel costs. Capex and R&D expenditure are also set to decrease by more than 20% by 2025 compared to 2019. Variable costs will be reduced by 1% net per annum compared to the level of 2019 during the period until 2025, including increased and prolonged savings targets for material costs. This target excludes the effects of a higher xEV mix.

The new Mercedes-Benz strategy and its financial ambitions

With its refocused approach, the new Mercedes-Benz strategy should deliver an improvement in commercial performance via better mix and pricing, an improved product portfolio and growth in recurrent revenues. These developments, when combined with the substantial actions on costs and industrial footprint, should drive a structurally higher level of profitability. By 2025, Mercedes-Benz AG is aiming for a return on sales (RoS) level within a mid to high single-digit range, even under unfavorable market conditions. The company’s ambition is to achieve a double-digit margin in a strong market environment.

“We are set for profitable growth. Additionally we have initiated comprehensive measures to bring down the breakeven point in order to right-size our company and our operations. All measures together are designed to make our business weatherproof, address the challenges of the transformation and lead to solid profitability levels even in rough weather, with significant upside in favorable market conditions,” said Harald Wilhelm, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Finance & Controlling/Daimler Mobility, and of Mercedes-Benz AG, responsible for Finance & Controlling.

“The foundation of our new strategy is our highly qualified and motivated team. All of us at Mercedes-Benz are determined to deliver on our ambitions. We will build the world‘s most desirable cars. That’s our mission, that’s what we want to deliver to our customers. We will make a leap forward in technology. We will invest where we can win, grow more intelligently, and reshape our industrial footprint. As a result, we will be able to improve profitability and lift shareholder value,” said Källenius.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

These presentations along with the declarations of intent quite commonly sound exciting. But, of course, delivering is what counts.

I'll be looking very forward to witness how and when M-B will genuinely embrace dedicated electrification of its' AMG and Maybach portfolios, evidence being clear and precise indications of exactly what sort of products are well into development and have been irreversibly greenlighted for production. More recent images of EQS prototypes are looking rather promising. Hence, I sincerely hope that M-B...DELIVERS.

 

[J.E]

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[Cashmere]

Just watched the presentation and all I can say is yikes. MB is fuc*ed. I'll be shocked if they survive the next decade.



They made a big splash about MB OS but only the interface design will be done by Mercedes - rest of it will be outsourced to software companies around the world:

Also, their own operating system which will be capable of delivering OTA updates (which a 2012 Model S can do) is only going to be ready 2024 - what does that mean for everyone that buys cars for the next 5 years - they're already obsolete?

Also still obsessed with the legacy of gearboxes.
Heads will roll. Massive layoffs coming next year.

 

[PanterroR]

MB is fuc*ed. I'll be shocked if they survive the next decade.

 

[Serpens]

Just watched the presentation and all I can say is yikes. MB is fuc*ed. I'll be shocked if they survive the next decade.

LOL now that's a hot take.

They made a big splash about MB OS but only the interface design will be done by Mercedes - rest of it will be outsourced to software companies around the world:

Yes, lots of existing companies are going this route or are already on this route. What exactly is the issue?

Also, their own operating system which will be capable of delivering OTA updates (which a 2012 Model S can do) is only going to be ready 2024 - what does that mean for everyone that buys cars for the next 5 years - they're already obsolete?

MBUX can receive OTA updates. Would love to know what the sunsetting plan will be for that operating system was MB.OS launches.

Also still obsessed with the legacy of gearboxes.
Heads will roll. Massive layoffs coming next year.

Mercedes isn't the first and won't be the last to explore multispeed transmissions for EVs.

 

[PanterroR]

@Serpens The guy is a electrified joke, why bother?

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

So what has Daimler promised for the future? Cut costs, increase margins. This means, that the customer will pay more for less. Totally wrong attitude. Maximum in two years Daimler will relay on goverment support in order to stay aflote.

 

[Serpens]

So what has Daimler promised for the future? Cut costs, increase margins. This means, that the customer will pay more for less. Totally wrong attitude. Maximum in two years Daimler will relay on goverment support in order to stay aflote.

It's for investors. Were you expecting them to say "We're going to increase our product overhead and create razor thin profit margins. Invest in us!"? They've been dropping the "cut costs, increase margins" line every year for decades now. So has every other major automaker, with the exception of Tesla for obvious reasons.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

It's for investors. Were you expecting them to say "We're going to increase our product overhead and create razor thin profit margins. Invest in us!"? They've been dropping the "cut costs, increase margins" line every year for decades now. So has every other major automaker, with the exception of Tesla for obvious reasons.

Ha ha. They depend much more on their customers, than on their investors. And that's exactly where the problem in their attitude is. This is over. They are not the default choice anymore. They have to fight for customers and the investors will come with the customers, not vice versa.

 

[Serpens]

Ha ha. They depend much more on their customers, than on their investors. And that's exactly where the problem in their attitude is. This is over. They are not the default choice anymore. They have to fight for customers and the investors will come with the customers, not vice versa.

Fighting for customers and investors aren't mutually exclusive. It is, however, a very cynical balancing act.

 

[Cashmere]

Yes, lots of existing companies are going this route or are already on this route. What exactly is the issue?

LOL, 5 years to build a linux based OS for your cars? Have you seen how much Mercedes spends on R&D? What have they been doing for the last 10 years to only have it ready for release in 2024?

Mercedes isn't the first and won't be the last to explore multispeed transmissions for EVs.

Yes, and with your extensive list of companies that have used multispeed transmissions on EVs - where has the multispeed transmission (if ever) led to the product having significantly best in class efficiency?

Perhaps I should be asking you - what groundbreaking innovation did you see in the presentation that gets you excited about MB's future as a carmaker?

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

A double speed transmission and 800V don't bring anything. They are dust in the eyes.

 

[Serpens]

LOL, 5 years to build a linux based OS for your cars? Have you seen how much Mercedes spends on R&D? What have they been doing for the last 10 years to only have it ready for release in 2024?



Yes, and with your extensive list of companies that have used multispeed transmissions on EVs - where has the multispeed transmission (if ever) led to the product having significantly best in class efficiency?

Perhaps I should be asking you - what groundbreaking innovation did you see in the presentation that gets you excited about MB's future as a carmaker?

MBUX is on Linux, which they are going to continue to evolve until 2024. MB.OS is just the next generation platform.

As for the transmission part, I wasn't at any point expecting MB to be in the lead here in terms of efficiency so perhaps that's why our standpoints differ. They're rarely (if ever) are even at the tops in efficiency with the ICE engines.

So net, the thing that gives me some solace is a coherent strategy to move forward that can keep Mercedes profitable. They may not be the top of the class from a performance standpoint, but as long as the overall package is still attractive and distinctly luxurious then I'm all in to see what the future brings.

 

[BorkLaser]

So what has Daimler promised for the future?

Things like a electric Maybach SUV, a fat S-Class SUV(Finally a proper Oberklasse-SUV from Germany) and SUV-sedans. I am way more excited for these than these weird EQx coupe-sedans.

Cut costs, increase margins.

Which is nothing new at Daimler and by the way:

"Cost-cutting" is a very vague term, what I would understand as "cost-cutting" might be not perceived or understood as such from other people. Hell I even think that not everything that screams or is actually "cost-cutting" must be inherently a bad thing. So for example not developing a manual transmission for products, where manuals have virtually no demand, is actually a good idea and saves important money.

This means, that the customer will pay more for less.

Vehicles like the DBX use the light switch from the A-Class, the Urus has door handles from Czech subcompact vehicles, the new Flying Spur looks like a Audi A8 with RWD proportions and has the instrument cluster from Audi and the steering wheel is very close to that from the old Audi A3. No no no I am not a person, who will badmouth other vehicles.

As long Mercedes offers vehicles that looks like this

,they sell like hotcakes.

 

[Cashmere]

So net, the thing that gives me some solace is a coherent strategy to move forward that can keep Mercedes profitable.

So the new leadership team at Mercedes present their vision/strategy for the next 10 years and the most exciting development for you from that presentation is that they will (try and) remain profitable.

I can see why you have no qualms with a 2 speed transmission and a general lack of innovation.

 

[Serpens]

So the new leadership team at Mercedes present their vision/strategy for the next 10 years and the most exciting development for you from that presentation is that they will (try and) remain profitable.

Did you read something I didn’t? I read a bunch of information about where they want to be in 2025- 5 years from now by my count, not 10. The only reference to 2030 was their EV vs. ICE mix. Further, for an investor’s conference yes a plan for profitability and lowering their break even point is exactly what I want to hear.