Mercedes-Benz will stop trying to drive consumers into showrooms the brand to buy electric cars and will become more flexible in its drivetrain strategy, allowing the market to dictate what types of vehicles it should sell.
At a recent three-day event in Stuttgart for retailers, Mercedes-Benz executives said the brand will increase the number of combustion engine cars available as early as this year and does not expect the percentage of electric vehicles to increase dramatically through 2024th.
„Every dealer is concerned about this transition to electrification and doesn't think it's keeping pace with the consumer,” said Benzel-Busch Motor Car Group President and Mercedes-Benz Dealer Council Chairman Joseph Agresta.
During the event, Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kellenius said the brand is not interested in chasing sales and will not cut prices. Instead, it will "give the consumer more value for their money as opposed to lowering the retail price."