After Tesla boom, Mercedes-Benz clients had long time expected for their first electric SUV. Now, the production of the new Mercedes-Benz EQC is already sold out, even before the SUV is on the road.
The new Mercedes-Benz EQC was presented in world premiere at Stockholm, on September 4, 2018
Since then, Mercedes-Benz clients had expected the first electric SUV but the deliveries will not start before September 2019. The late debut will not allow high production figures in 2019 which will delay the deliveries to the clients. “We are sure that we cannot meet the demand in 2019 and probably also 2020, “says Dieter Zetsche, Daimler CEO, quoted by Auto Motor und Sport magazine. “But we do everything we can to achieve the maximum capacity.”
Mercedes-Benz will have 10 electric models in its portfolio and this will happen by around 2022, according to Dieter Zetsche, who think that “we’ve set all points in advance”.
The delay of 9 to 12 months is not unfamiliar for the premium brands. That comes despite the fact that electric cars customers have been able to order the Jaguar I-Pace can be ordered since last year. Meanwhile, the new Audi E-Tron Quattro will start deliveries in April.
Audi has declared they have already 20,000 pre-orders for E-Tron Quattro, from which 16,000 come from Europe.
All the three premium german manufacturers have problems to bring significant numbers of electric cars on the road to meet the new CO2 limits in EU.
Mercedes-Benz EQC sold out, competitor for the BMW iX3
BMW was the first in 2013 and they had a low start. With the new battery technology, the BMW i3 boasts higher numbers in terms of sales. But the first electric SUV – the iX3 – does not exist yet as a production car.
Mercedes-Benz had launch other electric models before EQC. The Mercedes-Benz B-Class ED is not a success due to the small range but the smart EQ models production is already sold.
Audi is at the first experience with an electric model like Jaguar and they will benefit in the future by the common PPE (Premium Platforme Electric) developed in common with Porsche. The PPE platform will be the base for three model families.
