Mercedes-Benz is set to phase out its EQS electric model just three years after its debut. The decision comes as the EQ series has fallen short of expectations, prompting the brand to return to its classic S-Class name.
Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes, confirmed the news in an interview with Auto Car.
He revealed that the company will offer two versions of the S-Class moving forward: one with a combustion engine and another with an electric motor.
This move reflects a shift in Mercedes' strategy as the growth of its electric vehicle lineup has been slower than anticipated.
Originally, the company aimed to go fully electric by 2030. Now, it's rethinking that plan.
Mercedes is redirecting major funds — billions, in fact — toward developing more efficient internal combustion engines with hybrid technology.
The electric S-Class isn’t disappearing just yet. Mercedes plans to keep the current model around with a major facelift in 2027, extending its life until 2030. An upgraded version of the EQS, featuring advanced 800-volt architecture, is also expected next year.
But the EQS name will quietly fade out. The EQS and S-Class have both struggled in sales, leading to this decision.
The S-Class saw a 37% drop in global sales in the first quarter of 2024, prompting reduced production at the factory where both models are built.
This isn’t the first stumble for Mercedes in recent years—remember the X-Class pickup? It was discontinued after just two years.
