Mercedes launches EQC sales

Mercedes-Benz has started production and sales of their new EQC. The electric model is now rolling off the assembly line at the plant in Bremen and can be ordered immediately at prices starting at 71,281 euros. Initially, a launch edition of the electric model will be available for a period alongside the normal serial version this summer.

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Mercedes emphasized that even the basic version of the EQC will have extensive standard equipment. With a base price of less than 59,900 euros, the model is eligible for the environmental bonus in Germany, regardless of individual equipment. In addition to production in Bremen, the Beijing Benz Automotive (BBAC) joint venture will also start production of the EQC for the Chinese market later this year.

At the official presentation of the EQC in Stockholm at the beginning of September 2018, it was announced that the model should hit the roads by “mid 2019″”. According to information from the MB Passion Blog, Mercedes will initially start deliveries of the EQC 400 4MATIC Edition 1886 at the end of June, which will cost 84,930 euros, within the framework of a limited quota. A follow-up statement by the company then added that the decision to deliver to select customers first, who had independently registered for the vehicle, before dealerships and showrooms will be supplied. The market launch at dealerships will take place in October, where the model will be available to other customers in the second quarter of 2020, according to a press release by the German carmaker.

As early as February, there had been reports that although deliveries of the electric SUV would start in June, for the time being only “a few VIP customers” would be allocated the vehicles. According to the report, this could be due to the fact that the German company is not getting enough batteries.

Mercedes did not comment on this, but rather emphasized the flexibility of the production run that is starting now. The EQC will be integrated into the series production of the Mercedes plant in Bremen, where it will run from the same production line as the C-Class and the GLC. The manufacturer describes the newly installed battery joining centre there as a major innovation: “The staff in Bremen have many years of experience in the production of vehicles with a wide range of drive types. We are building on this know-how in the electric age, too. With the start of production of the Mercedes-Benz EQC, we are turning the switch today – for the electric mobility of the future.” The batteries for the EQC are supplied by the Daimler subsidiary Accumotive. Additional manufacturing capacities for the EV will also be set up in Rastatt and Sindelfingen in Germany, Tuscaloosa in the USA and Hambach in France.

Update 08.05.2019: Following the announcement of the production start of the EQC electric SUV and the release of pricing for Germany, Mercedes-Benz has announced prices for the UK. The Mercedes-Benz EQC 4MATIC is now available to order in the UK starting at £65,640 for the most basic EQC 400 4MATIC Sport. Approximately £2,000 more will buy a series of visual upgrades, while the most expensive variant, the EQC AMG Line Premium Plus, costs £74,530, and offers all the technical shenanigans. All model variants feature the same powertrain with the 80 kWh battery and two electric motors with a combined output of 300 kW.

media.daimler.com, blog-mercedes-benz-passion.com (German) carscoops.com, autocar.co.uk, mercedes-benz-media.co.uk (3x Updates)