Mercedes-Benz Halts Development For MB.EA Large Luxury EV Platform

Poor sales pace of current EQS and EQE models have reportedly prompted Mercedes-Benz to halt development for its new MB EA Large platform.

Mercedes-Benz is set to significantly reduce its investment in electric vehicle platform development. According to German business daily Handelsblatt, the three-point-star marque has elected to halt development of its new MB.EA Large platform architecture. 

Citing information from four different insiders, the German financial journal claims that the decision was made because of the current EQE and EQS models' dismal sales performance. The new platform, initially planned to launch in 2028, was intended to underpin successors of the existing EQE and EQS saloons and SUVs.

The expected savings on investments resulting from stopping the development and infrastructure modifications at its production facilities to make room for the new platform range from €4 billion to €6 billion (RM 23.69 billion to RM 35.53 billion). 

Since the structure has been canceled Mercedes-Benz plans to further expand the EVA2 platform, which serves as the foundation for the current EQE and EQS models, with an 800-volt charging architecture intended to replace the 400-volt system currently in use.

The MB.AMG platform, due in 2025, is earmarked to underpin a successor to the AMG GT 4-Door Coupé and a new AMG SUV model. 

The cancellation of the MB.EA Large platform's intentions, as reported by Handelsblatt, is  part of a larger reorganisation of Mercedes-Benz's future development endeavours. 

The automaker has rescheduled its goal of having 50% of sales come from plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) by 2025 to 2030. Additionally, plans to offer electric vehicles solely "in markets where the conditions allow" by 2030 were rescinded. KR