Mercedes to invest big to transition into a fully-electric lineup in the future
Mercedes-Benz is reportedly considering the retirement of two of its popular coupé-SUV models, the GLC Coupé and GLE Coupé, as part of an ongoing review of its combustion-engined vehicle lineup. This move comes in response to the German luxury carmaker’s broader strategy to streamline its portfolio and transition towards a fully electric future.
The GLC Coupé and GLE Coupé are currently at the “top of the list” of models under review. Mercedes-Benz has already removed several other combustion-powered models from its lineup, including the C-Class Coupé, S-Class Coupé, CLS sedan and the X-Class pick-up truck. Initially, the company had plans to discontinue the A-Class hatchback and B-Class MPV by the end of 2024, though these models have now been granted a temporary reprieve until 2026.
Announcement on further model cuts is expected soon. However, they refrained from commenting specifically on the fate of the GLC and GLE Coupé, stating that “every current model is under review” as part of a continuous evaluation process.
The shift towards reducing its model derivatives aligns with Mercedes’ significant investment in electric vehicle development. The company is actively focusing on the creation of new electric models, with the first of these – the third-generation CLA saloon, based on its new MMA platform – set to debut later this year. This model will be available in both fully electric and combustion-engined versions. By 2025, successor models for the CLA Shooting Brake, EQA and EQB are also expected to join the lineup.
Despite the GLC Coupé being in the early stages of its second generation, with a projected seven-year lifecycle, and the GLE Coupé having received a facelift in 2019, Mercedes’ strategy seems to favour a leaner portfolio of vehicles as it navigates the evolving automotive landscape.
As Mercedes-Benz accelerates its transition to electric mobility, the potential discontinuation of the GLC and GLE Coupé SUVs underscores the brand’s broader efforts to simplify its range and invest in the next generation of EVs.
