The future nomenclature will only be decided when Mercedes goes purely electric
When Mercedes-Benz unveiled its electric EQ sub-brand, more than a few were skeptical whether this was the right decision for the German automaker's electric future. Mercedes has now officially presented the last piece of the puzzle of its EQ sub-brand with the debut of the EQE SUV. With it, the brand has now added an electric counterpart to the ICE model in all important vehicle segments. However, the question now arises as to what the future holds for EQ, especially if Mercedes is to go purely electric from 2030.
Motor1.com spoke to Christoph Starzynski, vice president of Electric Vehicle Architecture, and Chief Technology Officer Markus Schäfer on this topic during the launch of the EQE SUV in Paris. When asked what will happen to EQ if Mercedes goes all-electric, Starzynski deferred to the marketing and sales team, but added that EQ "is more than just a battery; it’s a technology, its intelligence…The brand is more than just the badge on the rear of the car." This suggests that the EQ label is likely to survive, at least until the end of the decade, but in what form remains an open question for now.
When asked about a future for EQE and EQS's EV2 platform, Starzynski said it will eventually be replaced by the new MB.EA platform. That platform, he said, would then be used in mid-range and high-end models. This suggests that the successor or successors to the Mercedes EQC will also be based on this platform from 2025. On the EV2 platform, however, the EQE is likely to remain the smallest model. This becomes particularly clear when considering Starzynski's statements about the smaller MMA platform that Mercedes is developing for new models up to the mid-range.
However, Markus Schäfer hinted that the EV2 platform will not be put to bed just yet, but could carry other models. "We have further ideas, more to be announced yet, that we could do on this platform," he told Motor1. Whether it will ultimately get that far remains questionable, especially since the MB.EA is expected to be operational as early as 2025. What's certain is the ICE versions that serve as the basis for the EQA, EQB and EQC will be phased out for a switch to an all-electric platform, but which platform is still to be determined.
Moritz is a car enthusiast who is especially interested in novelties and the car industry. In addition to his work as a car journalist, Moritz is pursuing a Master’s degree in Sustainable management and enjoys sports.