Mercedes Plans To Stop Making EVs Look Like Eggs
Mercedes-Benz plans to adopt a unified styling language across its entire lineup, meaning no more glaringly visual differences between combustion-engine vehicles and electric ones.
Key Points
- Mercedes-Benz will unify the design language of its EV and combustion-engine models for a cohesive look across its entire lineup.
- The strategy aims to reverse a 23% drop in EV sales by offering electric models that share styling with traditional vehicles without compromising space, elegance, or efficiency.
- Upcoming models include an all-electric S-Class, updated EQA and EQB compact SUVs, and electric C-Class and GLC models, with dozens of new or refreshed vehicles planned by 2027.
Mercedes wants all future cars bearing the three-pointed star to share a cohesive look, regardless of what powers them. Importantly, Mercedes assures that this new strategy won’t come at the expense of space, elegance, convenience, or efficiency.
“Going forward a coherent design language will be used across the entire portfolio. BEV and electrified high-tech ICE models will exploit their respective strengths, without sacrificing space, elegance, convenience, or efficiency,” the company said in a statement. Mercedes fans everywhere are breathing a sigh of relief as the company's electric offerings will no longer look like the insertion end of your favorite object.
The unified design approach comes as Mercedes struggles with slowing EV sales. Last year, the company delivered 185,100 electric vehicles—a 23% drop compared to the previous year. While Mercedes still sold more EVs than Audi, which experienced an 8% decline with 164,000 units, it trailed BMW significantly. BMW delivered 368,523 EVs marking an 11.6% year-over-year increase and outselling Mercedes and Audi combined.
Mercedes hopes that moving away from the low-drag, egg-like designs that have characterized many of its EVs will help boost demand—of course, this assumes the issue is one of aesthetics and not a functional or desire-based rejection by consumers.
A more traditional design language in line with the brand's combustion-engine vehicles could make electric models more appealing to a broader range of buyers, or it could just make conventional-looking electric vehicles that will still remain unsold. Although to be fair, BMW has experienced success employing the same strategy.
This design shift has been in the works for some time. Mercedes previewed the aesthetic change when it debuted the CLA electric concept, confirming that a combustion-powered version would also follow on the same platform. Many of Mercedes' crossovers are already closely related, including the GLA/EQA and GLB/EQB crossovers.
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An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
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It's about time! I haven't liked the looks of the C series since the 2015 redesign and the modifications to it since then that only made it look cheaper.
I think the 20s are like the 70s all over again. Ugly cars everywhere you look, with a few rare and notable exceptions.