Mercedes-Benz's comprehensive electric vehicle plan has failed, and internal combustion engine models will fight for another ten years! The field of electric vehicles has suffered setbacks, how can traditional giants counterattack?
Recently, Kang Linsong, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, announced at the annual general meeting of shareholders that it shocked the industry: Mercedes-Benz will abandon the all-electric vehicle plan and plan to continue to produce internal combustion engine vehicles for the next ten years. This decision has undoubtedly dropped a bombshell on the global electric vehicle market, which has aroused widespread attention and heated discussions.
Kang Linsong said that given that the popularity of electric vehicles has not reached expectations, Mercedes-Benz will no longer adhere to the original goal of fully switching to electric vehicle sales in major markets by 2030. This means that in the coming period, Mercedes-Benz will continue to develop in parallel in the field of electric vehicles and fuel vehicles, rather than fully transforming into electric vehicles.
Regarding this decision, Kang Linsong explained that Mercedes-Benz's development in the field of electric vehicles has not achieved the expected results, especially in the Chinese market. At present, Mercedes-Benz's electric vehicles sold in China include EQC, EQB, EQA and other models, but the sales performance of these models in the market is not ideal. Data shows that in the whole year of 2023, Mercedes-Benz electric vehicle sales are far less than domestic mainstream electric vehicle brands.
So, why is Mercedes-Benz in such a dilemma in the field of electric vehicles? This is mainly due to the mistakes of Mercedes-Benz's initial "oil to electricity" strategy. Although Mercedes-Benz is advancing the electrification transformation at a rapid pace, it is difficult to meet the needs of consumers due to its over-reliance on the existing fuel vehicle platform for electrification, resulting in insufficient product strength in the field of electric vehicles.
However, Mercedes-Benz has not abandoned the electric vehicle market. Kang Linsong pointed out that Mercedes-Benz will continue to increase investment and research and development efforts in the field of electric vehicles, and plans to launch more competitive electric models in the future. At the same time, Mercedes-Benz will continue to pay attention to market dynamics and technology development trends to adapt to changing market demand.
For this decision of Mercedes-Benz, industry insiders believe that it is a wise choice. In the current EV market that is not yet fully mature, overly aggressive transformation plans can bring significant risks and pressures to businesses. By finding a balance between internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles, Mercedes-Benz can better respond to market changes and competitive challenges.
In addition, Mercedes-Benz's brand influence and technical strength in the field of traditional fuel vehicles should not be underestimated. Through continuous investment and innovation, Mercedes-Benz is expected to continue to maintain its leading position in the field of internal combustion engine vehicles and catch up in the field of electric vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz's decision to abandon its all-electric plan and continue to produce internal combustion engine vehicles has sparked controversy and discussion, but it may be a more prudent and pragmatic option from the perspective of the company's long-term development. In the future automobile market, how Mercedes-Benz will counterattack and rebuild its glory, let us wait and see! March Creation Incentive Program