Prices up, quantities down – that seems to be Mercedes’ new strategy for their model range. Because the Swabians have big plans. At an event in southern France Mercedes-Boss Ola Källenius announced the brand’s new direction, and it’s going heavily in the direction of luxury. The product portfolio is divided into three categories: Entry Luxury, Core Luxury and Top-End Luxury. More than 75 percent of the investments are earmarked for the top two segments.
With the realignment towards the more profitable segments, the Group is directing its attention not only to the luxury class vehicles, but above all to the AMG– and Maybachmodels and the G-Class. In addition, electrification is to be accelerated again and from 2030 there will largely only be models with a plug.
Fewer models, better technology and more customization
With the entry-luxury segment Mercedes make the entry into the luxury world in the future. The number of body variants will be reduced from seven to four, and the technology will be upgraded at the same time. Means: With the upcoming, compact MMA platform, the new MB.OS (Mercedes-Benz Operating System) as standard. In addition, the customization options should increase from the Entry Luxury onwards.
However, the majority of the investments will flow into the higher Core Luxury and Top-End Luxury lines. The upper range mainly includes all models from AMG and MaybachEQ vehicles like the EQS and its SUV offshoots, as well as S and G class.
Lots of chrome, red paintwork and a black hood covered with the Maybach logo. This is what the luxury version of the SL could look like.
In line with the new luxury orientation, Mercedes chief designer Gordon Wagener teased a Maybach version of the SL on Instagram. The picture only shows a black bonnet Maybach logo to recognize. What the whole car will look like remains to be seen.
New “Mythos” series with limited collector’s copies
For those who like it particularly exclusive, there should be a special “Mythos” series – special series with very limited copies and exclusive collaboration models. This includes, for example, the Maybach S-Class by Virgil Abloh. Also one speedsterversion of the SL could be in the Mythos program.
The core area with the particularly strong-selling models such as the C-Class and E class and their derivatives Mercedes cover in the core luxury segment. Here, too, the Stuttgart-based company wants to push ahead with electrification, and based on the EVA2 platform (EQE and EQE SUV) and later on the MB.EA architecture. The new edition of the E-Class announced for 2023 should show the direction.
