Mercedes Is Quietly Preparing to End the Slow-Selling EQS

Far From Successful

The EQS is probably one of the cars that Mercedes-Benz would like to forget. The idea was to spin off the S-Class into two branches: one with ICE or hybrid power, and build a separate platform for pure-electric versions. To say that the experiment had failed is putting it lightly. Worldwide sales never went beyond 30,000 units per year and were easily outsold by the fuel-fed S-Class.

If anything, the whole EQ line of cars hasn't paid dividends for Mercedes-Benz. That includes the EQS SUV and its Maybach counterpart, as well as the EQE, EQE SUV, EQB, and EQA. With that, Mercedes-Benz is in the process of simplifying its lineup by combining two platforms into one, as first demonstrated by the redesigned CLA.

Is the EQS Going Away Soon?

Based on Auto Express' recent report, that would be a yes. Given its sales figures, it's probably no surprise. It also didn't help that the car didn't exactly receive critical acclaim to redeem it. The car's styling also drew a fair amount of criticism, and a facelift in 2024 did little to boost deliveries.

It's not known when exactly it will get the axe, but it's likely that it will be gone before the decade ends or once the next-generation S-Class is introduced.

Not Giving Up

Mercedes-Benz isn't abandoning the idea of a battery-powered flagship sedan, though. However, it appears that the company is insisting on building another separate platform for the electric S-Class.

Ola Källenius, the automaker's current CEO, explained to Auto Express back in late 2024, "You don't want to have a very big car that is then kind of small-ish on the inside, in relative terms. You want to have that fully uncompromised packaging, and you want the performance to be uncompromised. Hence, the only solution that we think is viable in that scenario is that you have two platforms."

What's Next?

That said, plans can change, and investing in a bespoke architecture for a niche market doesn't sound like the best fiscal idea. Also, the full-size luxury sedan market isn't exactly strong at the moment. Case in point, the Lexus LS has been discontinued in several markets, and the Audi A8 faces an uncertain future.

What Mercedes can do is to take a page from its rivals across town, BMW, and adapt a single platform that accommodates ICE, PHEV, and EV powertrains like in the 7 Series. Besides, the company is already doing that with its entry-level models, and it seems wise to do the same for the rest of the range.

Whether the EV version will have a different architecture from its ICE and hybrid counterparts or not is still up for debate. One thing is for sure, though, and that's the EQS will be absorbed by the S-Class lineup, likely to feature more traditional styling.

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