autoevolution
 

Mercedes-Benz EQC Electric SUV Canceled From U.S. Lineup, EQS Incoming

Take a good look at the compact utility vehicle in the main photo: it's the first mainstream EV from Mercedes-Benz and the first member of the EQ family. Codenamed N293 and based on the platform of the GLC-Class, can you believe this fellow was revealed at the 2018 Paris Motor Show?
Mercedes-Benz EQC 45 photos
Photo: Mercedes-Benz
2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic2020 Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4Matic
Three years later, “market developments” are to blame for the EQC not coming to the United States of America. That’s a little curious if you remember that pricing information was published in 2019, but on the other hand, Mercedes-Benz made the right decision to nip the e-SUV in the bud.

$68,895 including the destination charge but not accounting for the $7,500 federal tax credit would have made the EQC way too expensive for what it offers. Excluding potential savings, the Tesla Model Y Performance currently retails at $60k while the rear-wheel-drive Model Y Standard Range is $42k.

The Merc isn’t particularly great in terms of driving range either. Updated in 2020 with an 11-kW charger, the EQC offers 417 kilometers under the WLTP or 259 miles. The Model Y promises 504 kilometers or 313 miles, although the battery’s capacity is lower by approximately 5 kilowatts-hour.

Another reason the electric SUV from Bremen was bound to fail is… well… the lack of customers. If you look at the Audi e-tron and Jaguar I-Pace's sales figures, it becomes all too obvious that we’re dealing with a limited pool of potential customers. What’s worse for legacy automakers, Tesla is too far ahead of them, hence the Palo Alto-based automaker's success.

Speaking to Autoblog, a representative made it clear that America will be treated to the electric S-Class instead of the EQC. EQS is the name of the luxury sedan, and I’m wondering if Mercedes is aware that Tesla has experienced dwindling sales figures of the Model S due to the Model 3 and early adopter saturation.

Based on the MEA skateboard-style platform, the EQS Concept presented in 2019 is good for 435 miles (700 kilometers) and 350 kW charging. To be revealed in April 2021, the series-production version is expected to cost approximately $150,000 in the United States in range-topping trim.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories