Mercedes will return to developing new models with internal combustion engines – demand for electric cars is falling

Mercedes-Benz management has officially announced that the company is resuming work on cars with internal combustion engines. This means that the complete electrification of the brand will take at least another 10 years. And even more if the situation continues to develop according to the current scenario.


Let us recall that initially Mercedes-Benz planned to completely switch to the production of electric cars. At least in those markets where environmental standards are the most stringent. First of all, let's talk about the EU countries and Japan.

The German manufacturer announced its focus on electric cars in mid-2021. At the same time, work on new models with internal combustion engines was “frozen.” Moreover, this also affected plug-in hybrids.


It was only after summing up the results for 2023 that Mercedes-Benz management became alarmed. Despite the profit, the company's business is not going as planned. The funds invested in the development of electric cars cannot be recovered.

Moreover, sales are too low. For example, the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV crossover turned out to be so unprofitable that its production was moved to Germany from the USA. But it was the North American market that was initially planned as the main one for this model.

This is a global trend – a decrease in demand for electric cars. Well-known European manufacturers suffer first of all. The main reason is the aggressive competition of Chinese brands. Their cars are cheaper, and their technical characteristics often surpass those of their more famous rivals.

US producers are also suffering. For example, General Motors and Ford have revised down their plans to finance the electrification of all their factories. The last couple of years have proven that investments in this industry will pay off for a very long time.


Drivers living in EU countries, despite pressure from their governments, still do not want to switch to electric cars. Firstly, they are much more expensive than models with internal combustion engines.

Secondly, infrastructure is developing too slowly. Thirdly, electric cars are not universal, despite the variety of body types. It is not possible to charge such a car everywhere, which automatically imposes restrictions on use. You can't go anywhere you want in this car.

Now Mercedes-Benz management is calling other dates. They plan to completely abandon internal combustion engines by 2039. But this is written with pitchforks - the final result depends on the demand for electric cars in the future.