Mercedes-Benz is committed to offering coupe and cabriolet models in the future, according to chief operating officer Markus Schafer, but will trim back and refocus its line-up of such machines.
The firm has launched the new C-Class in saloon and estate form, which in the past have been followed by Coupe and Cabriolet variants. But with Mercedes currently expanding its line-up of EQ-branded electric models, Schafer said the firm needed to rationalise and focus on higher-volume machines.
“We reached a portfolio of close to 50 vehicles last year, and there’s more to come on the electric side with our EQ line-up,” said Schafer. “We have some limitations in terms of what we can do in research and development.
“Some of [our models] got quite narrow [in terms of market] so we want to really focus on a portfolio that’s more precise and consumer-oriented. So we’re doing some significant shifts in our line-up, portfolio and shape of vehicles.
“We have a very high density on the coupe and cabriolet side with the C-Class, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Mercedes-AMG SLC. It’s a wide offering and the market is going in a different direction. That’s why we’re shifting: we’re going to continue with coupes and cabriolets in the future, but in a different form and shape.
“We will not give up the segment because it’s very important to use as a brand-shaper, but maybe in a more limited offering.”
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I've enjoyed driving my C43 Cab for the last 3 years. It reminds me of a Saab 900 Turbo. Unfortunately the lease is up soon and it seems like there will be less of these types of car going forward. An EV coupe or convertible would be great for me but I doubt theres a big demand for them. Maybe a fun older roadster for the weekends and something like the new Hyundai for the daily commute? Interesting times.
I've enjoyed driving my C43 Cab for the last 3 years. It reminds me of a Saab 900 Turbo. Unfortunately the lease is up soon and it seems like there will be less of these types of car going forward. An EV coupe or convertible would be great for me but I doubt theres a big demand for them. Maybe a fun older roadster for the weekends and something like the new Hyundai for the daily commute? Interesting times.
OMG, that sounds to me like code for Barbie-like SUV cabriolets (Evoque/T-Roc). My wife has had CLK cabriolets for 15 years and loves them. She wouldn't love an EQC cabriolet or similar.
Yes, it no doubt means SUV cabriolets, and Coupe SUVs from now on..
Fear not, I think they just mean a return to having one CLK type Coupe/Cab instead of both C and E. I don't think anyone looked at the sales(or comparative lack thereof) of the Evoque Cab and thought that is how we can increase our volume!
Yes, I have heard from another source that one model will replace both C and E coupes which makes sense. I suspect that it will come in when the E class coupe needs replacing, not before, which, reading between the lines, is what they maybe hinting at here. Anyway I can't believe that they will leave BMs 4 series unchallenged. They've already decided to ditch the SLC.