Mercedes-Benz has announced that it will not completely abandon internal combustion engines as it continues its transition to electric mobility. This change in the company’s strategy reveals that new Mercedes models will continue to be on the roads with both electric and gasoline versions in the future.
Mercedes will continue to produce internal combustion engines
The new generation Mercedes CLA and the 2026 model GLC will be the first examples of this hybrid approach. Both models will be on sale with both electric and internal combustion engine options. This flexible structure will expand the brand’s reach and offer an option that is more compatible with user preferences, especially in markets where electric charging infrastructure is insufficient.
Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius described this change as a “course correction” in an interview with the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport. Källenius said that advanced internal combustion engines with electric support will remain in production for longer than the company had anticipated. According to the CEO’s statement, Mercedes will now prioritize electric and gasoline vehicle technologies equally.
The company’s electric vehicle portfolio will continue to expand. The CLA represents the beginning of this new era. The fully electric versions of the GLC, C-Class and E-Class models will be introduced afterwards. The electric GLC model will replace the EQC, which previously failed to attract the desired attention in the market.
The gasoline and electric versions of the new GLC will be on sale at the same time. This structure will allow different powertrains to be offered in the same segment, similar to the strategy Porsche implemented with the Macan model in North America. Although the two versions are produced on different platforms; common design lines and market positioning will increase the flexibility of the brand in the transition process.
This approach by Mercedes-Benz shows that the transformation process in the automotive sector will not proceed in a one-way direction. So what do you think about this issue? You can share your views with us in the comments section below.
