Much like the four-cylinder AMG C63, Mercedes had high hopes for the electric G-Class. The company naively believed customers would seamlessly switch to the EV version, assuming the power of the Geländewagen brand would offset the downsides of electrification. However, a new report paints a grim picture of how the market has responded to the G580 with EQ Technology.
According to German business newspaper Handelsblatt (subscription required), Mercedes executives have brutally admitted that the electric G-Class is a commercial failure. One executive, who understandably wished to remain anonymous, stated: “The car is sitting like lead at dealers; it’s a complete flop.” Another manager quoted by the reputable publication said: “It’s a niche model; the sales volume is very low.”
Handelsblatt examined the numbers and found that only 1,450 units had been sold by the end of April, nearly a year after the model’s launch. In contrast, the regular G-Class with gasoline and diesel engines achieved about 9,700 sales, making it almost seven times more popular than its EV counterpart.
Despite the disappointing figures, a Mercedes spokesperson claimed the luxury brand is “on target with our sales figures,” but declined to provide further details. Another executive from the three-pointed star was more candid, admitting: “People want a real G-Class – with six or eight cylinders.”
Motor1 has reached out to Mercedes for comment and will update the story once we hear back.
Meanwhile, why is the electric G-Class a tough sell? Several factors come to mind. First, it’s substantially more expensive than the six-cylinder gas and diesel versions. The European model has a maximum payload of just 415 kilograms (915 pounds) and lacks a towbar option, making it far less practical than the ICE model. The latter has a decades-long reputation as a go-anywhere, do-anything off-roader.
It also weighs a hefty 3,085 kilograms in Europe and nearly the same 6,746 pounds in the United States. Range is another weak point, though not unexpected, given the vehicle’s substantial curb weight. The G580 with EQ Technology is rated at 473 kilometers (294 miles) on the WLTP cycle, but its EPA-certified range is significantly lower at just 239 miles (385 kilometers).
Handelsblatt also reports that the low demand is forcing Mercedes to rethink its plans for the so-called “Little G.” While the downsized version is still expected later this decade, it may not be an EV-only model as originally intended. Rumors suggest the smaller G could offer combustion engines to broaden its appeal. According to a company manager, an ICE variant is currently being “examined,” while an engineer noted that the added R&D costs would be “manageable.”
The Little G is apparently still on track for a 2027 release as an EV, but it’s increasingly likely that a gas version will follow, presumably with some form of hybridization baked in.
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Source: Handelsblatt
