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Auto Blog
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Failure of the Electric G-Class Could Spark Something Better
Good things will likely come out with the unfortunate flop of the G-Class with EQ Technology. Mercedes Confirms 'Little G' Is Coming For the first time, Mercedes-Benz is introducing a smaller version of the G-Class go-anywhere SUV as confirmed earlier this year, following rumors that had circulated for years. According to the German marque, this move aligns with its plans to counter its recent sales dip – and we agree, because who doesn't want a small SUV that's easier to maneuver in both trails and urban settings? Mercedes-Benz stopped short of divulging more details about the upcoming 'Little G,' though reports hinted at electrification – a full-electric baby G-Wagen following the footsteps of the G-Class with EQ Technology. However, recent developments, particularly the lackluster demand for the electric G-Class have affected its roadmap, spelling a win for lovers of ICE. Electric G-Class Is A Flop, Admits Merc Execs According to Mercedes-Benz executives who spoke to the German newspaper Handelsblatt, the battery-powered G-Class is a flop, with one unnamed executive saying that 'The car is sitting like lead at dealers; it's a complete flop.' Other people who wished to remain anonymous admitted that buyers want ICE-powered G-Class, either with a six-cylinder or the mighty V8. Numbers back those declarations. The German publication released the sales numbers for Europe and found that only 1,450 units of the electric G-Class were sold by the end of April, paling in comparison to its diesel and gas-powered counterparts at 9,700 units sold so far. There are many reasons for this sales flop. The G-Class with EQ Technology is significantly pricier than its combustion-powered counterparts, plus it has a disadvantage in practicality and functionality due to the use of an electric powertrain. Mercedes Hints at Launch Timing for Compact G by 2030 The same publication has reported that the low sales volume of the G-Class BEV is making the automaker reconsider its plans for the smaller G-Wagen. Contrasting with previous reports, Mercedes-Benz is now considering putting combustion engines in the upcoming model. However, given the stringent emission requirements in Europe, we expect the Baby G to have some form of electrification, akin to what the automaker employed in the new Mercedes-Benz CLA. This will, of course, offset the penalty of having an engine by the end of the decade. Mercedes-Benz plans to introduce the smaller G-Class by the end of the decade, so we'll know more concrete information in the years to come. About the Author Jacob Oliva View Profile
Daily Mail
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Mercedes exec calls electric version of iconic SUV a 'complete flop'
A Mercedes-Benz executive has described the new electric version of one of its most iconic models as a 'complete flop' that dealers are struggling to shift. It is reportedly being outsold seven to one by the petrol variant of the same SUV model, which for years has been a massive hit among celebrities and especially professional footballers. The car in question is the G-Class - or 'G-Wagon' - which has been reinvented for an electric generation with the arrival of the £154,870 'G580' EV last year. Only 1,450 examples have been delivered since its launch whereas the £133,500 gas-guzzling alternative continues to prove popular among well-heeled clients who snapped up 9,700 units over the same period to the end of April, German business newspaper Handelsblatt claims. It reported that one exec said: 'The car is sitting like lead at dealers; it's a complete flop,' as they referenced its poor sales performance amidst a wider EV slowdown. Mercedes-Benz earlier this year announced plans to bring more new petrol and diesel cars than electrics to market for its new product range in a bid to revive margins as it braced for a sharp drop in earnings in 2025 on the back of stalling EV sales. The German paper claims another Mercedes 'manager' had attempted to defend the small sale volumes of G580 EVs, saying it is a 'niche model' with 'very low' production output. This is Money contacted Mercedes-Benz, with a spokesman telling us: 'The G-Class continues to prove popular. 'The G-Class achieved its best-ever sales quarter in Q4 2024 and continued its strong sales performance in the first quarter of 2025 with sales up 18 per cent compared to last year. 'Mercedes-Benz is prepared for all market scenarios. Into the 2030s, we can flexibly offer vehicles with both a fully electric drivetrain or an electrified high-tech combustion engine. 'Our customers decide what suits them best. This applies also for the G-Class.' The G580 was first unveiled last April. It is on sale in the UK for £154,870, which is a £20k mark-up on the petrol version In keeping with its 45-years tradition, the new all-electric G-Wagon has a ladder-frame chassis. It uses a huge 116kWh battery that provides energy for four e-motors located near the wheels to produce 579bhp. However, because of its extra half-tonne of bulk over the petrol alternatives, it is 0.4 seconds slower to 62mph (4.7 seconds for the G580) than the burbling 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 G63 AMG and its 112mpg top speed is down on the AMG's 149mph. The additional heft of the battery pack also limits the electric G-Class' full-charge battery range, which is just 292 miles, according to the WLTP test cycle used in the UK and Europe. This is almost 200 miles shy of its CLA electric saloon's market-leading single-charge range of 492 miles - and that's from a car costing from just £45,000. In the US, one of the G-Class' biggest markets, the G580 EV's EPA-certified range is even lower, at just 239 miles. Other factors are limiting the G580's appeal to customers include its steep premium over a six-cylinder internal combustion engine variant, a disappointing maximum payload of just 415kg and the lack of a practical towbar as an option. Handelsblatt also reported this week that the disappointing demand for the electric G-Wagon has forced Mercedes to rethink plans for a smaller model Junior G-Class variant. The forthcoming 'Little G' has been rumoured for 2027 and had been expected to launch exclusively with electric power. However, Mercedes could now make it available as a hybrid as part of a wider strategy to push more combustion engine models into the market in the coming years. In February, the Stuttgart luxury car maker said it will release 19 new combustion engine models and 17 battery-electric cars by the end of 2027, in a sign of a renewed focus on the former after its EV sales collapsed by a quarter last year. Most of the new models will be in its top-end price tier, showing its commitment to its strategy of selling a lower volume of higher-margin vehicles, despite some investors and labour representatives expressing concern in recent months that the strategy had failed. 'The strategy of value over volume remains in place - it has not been abandoned,' CFO Harald Wilhelm said earlier this year, adding it was good news for its margin that combustion engine cars were still far outselling EVs. Daimler-Benz first introduced the original G-Class in 1979, having developed the off-road in partnership with Steyr-Daimler-Puch in Austria. Originally called the 'Wolf', it was designed as a robust military off-roader capable of taking on all terrains. But in more recent times, the SUV has become the choice of footballers, celebs and social media stars wanting to show off their vast wealth and love of enormous - and hugely powerful - vehicles. There have been a number of oddball modified examples too, not least the six-wheeled G63 6x6 and the Project Mondo G built in collaboration with premium coat company Moncler, which ultimately put a puffer jacket on a Mercedes G-Class. Car makers scrambling to adjust EV strategies Mercedes is among a raft of car makers grappling with a slower-than-expected uptake of EVs. On Wednesday, Volvo Cars confirmed it had sold 59,822 cars in May, down 12 per cent year-on-year, primarily due to a lack of EV appetite. The Swedish car maker, majority-owned by China's Geely, said in a statement that sales of fully electric cars fell 27 per cent to account for a fifth of its total sales volumes. It also confirmed in May that it will cut 3,000 mostly white-collar jobs - around 15 per cent of its global workforce - as it contends with a slowdown in EV demand, higher operating costs and trade uncertainty triggered by US President Donald Trump. Volvo UK declined to comment to This is Money when asked how many UK jobs could be impacted. Legendary Italian marque Alfa Romeo has also hit headlines in recent days following reports from sources that it has delayed the launch of its new electric Stelvio SUV, which was due to go into production this year at its Cassino vehicle plant in central Italy. Reuters said on Thursday that insiders had suggested it has been postponed to 2026 as it 'reassesses its strategy' amid tepid demand for electric cars, with the likelihood it will also be sold with hybrid power. This would follow a similar strategy used by other Stellantis-owed brands, including Fiat, Citroen, and Jeep. Fiat will make available a hybrid version of its latest 500 from next year, despite promises to only sell it as an EV. It also made a last-minute call to do the same with its bigger 600 last year. The Citroen C4 X and Jeep Avenger - also both promised to be EV-only - now have hybrid powertrain options too. This is Money contacted Alfa Romeo too. A spokesperson on behalf of the bran told us: 'Stellantis has announced, through a company spokesperson, that it is working on an update to its plan for Italy. 'The plan includes an expansion and reshaping of activities in the country, in light of current market conditions, uncertainties surrounding EU regulations, and the impact of tariffs. 'A constructive dialogue is underway in the appropriate forums.'
The Sun
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Iconic car brand's new £155k EV ‘is a complete flop' after iconic model loved by celebs is reinvented
STAFF at Mercedes have admitted that the electric version of an SUV popular with celebrities has been a "complete flop". The German manufacturer had high hopes for the £154,810 EV, but it has not had the desired impact on the car market. 6 6 6 An electric version of the popular Mercedes G-Class - often referred to as the G-Wagon - has not proved successful among customers. Reports show that, since the G 580 was introduced in April last year, the original G-Wagon has almost seven times more sales than its electric counterpart. German newspaper Handelsblatt reported that one Mercedes executive had labelled the motor a "complete flop". They added: "The car is sitting like lead at dealers. It's a complete flop." Another manager admitted the volume of sales for the "niche" EV had been "very low". It is understood that only 1,450 electric G-Wagons had been sold over a 12-month period, compared to 9,700 sales of the regular version. Despite having the same silhouette, the G 580 has proved difficult to sell against its iconic predecessor, which is substantially cheaper. The latter retails from £133,500, which is £20,000 less than its electric alternative. Customers have also been put off by the EV's EPA-certified range, which sits at just 239 miles from a single charge. And it could affect Mercedes plans for a downsized version, the "Little G", which is set to be released in 2027. Mercedes reveals its new luxury EV with 'superscreen' passengers can play video games or watch Netflix on while on move It was initially rumoured to be an EV-only model, but the motor giants might have to rethink these plans following the damning data and offer the vehicles with combustion engines. First designed in the 1970s, the G-Wagon was originally conceived as a military vehicle. But it has garnered a reputation for ferrying around famous faces and the super-rich, including Megan Fox, Britney Spears and Kendall Jenner. Speaking to Motor1, Mercedes' Markus Nast, global communications manager for compacts, midsizers, and the G-Class, said the company was "prepared for all market scenarios". He added: "Into the 2030s, we can flexibly offer vehicles with both a fully electric drivetrain or an electrified high-tech combustion engine. "Our customers decide what suits them best. This also applies for the G-Class." The G 580 features a three-speed intelligent off-road crawl function, which can drag the car through ditches and ravines. It can reach 62mph in less than five seconds, with a top speed of 112mph. 6 6 6 Like a regular G-Wagon, the electric G has a ladder-frame chassis with low-range, off-road gearing and trick suspension. And with an impressive 587hp, the three-tonne tank is as quick as a Porsche Cayman off the line. But reports have shown that the all-electric iteration has tanked in the market, with customers still favouring the iconic original motor. The Sun contacted Mercedes for comment.
ArabGT
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- ArabGT
The Electric G-Class Flop Mercedes Didn't See Coming
It was supposed to be the electric crown jewel of Mercedes's legendary G-Class lineup. Instead, the all-new G580 EQ is turning into one of the brand's biggest recent disappointments — and now, even insiders are admitting it. A scathing report from Handelsblatt quotes a Mercedes executive who didn't hold back: 'The car is sitting at dealerships like a rock… a complete failure.' This brutal honesty reflects a reality that's hard to ignore. By April 2025, Mercedes had sold just 1,450 units of the electric G, while nearly 9,700 gas-powered G-Classes found buyers. That's not just a dip — it's a seven-to-one rejection by the very audience the EQ was supposed to impress. Too Expensive, Too Heavy, Too Limited Let's start with the price. The Electric G-Class, or the G580 EQ starts around €180,000 in Europe — over €40,000 more than a similarly specced G500. Add inflation and economic uncertainty to the mix, and that premium becomes nearly impossible to justify. But price is just the beginning. Utility — one of the G-Class's defining traits — takes a major hit. The electric version can only tow about 415 kg. That's not a typo. Gas versions tow up to 3,500 kg. And while the G580 EQ looks the part, it weighs over 3,000 kg — hundreds more than the V8. That weight crushes its range, which tops out at just 385 km on a full charge, and even less in real off-road conditions. Buyers Want the Real Thing One Mercedes exec said it best: 'People want a real G-Class… with a V8.' The market isn't just rejecting the EV — it's sending a clear message. The G-Wagen is more than a silhouette and a badge. It's about raw power, sound, and capability. And right now, the electric version doesn't deliver on any of those fronts. Is There a Way Back? Mercedes isn't giving up yet. A smaller 'Baby G' is reportedly in development for 2027, and it might not be electric-only — a turbocharged combustion option is on the table. That could be the key to winning back the core audience. The electric G-Class was meant to electrify the brand's most iconic SUV. Instead, it's become a cautionary tale. You can't strip the soul out of a legend and expect people not to notice. Mercedes now has to ask itself: can the future of the G really be silent, slow, and soulless?
Motor 1
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Mercedes Exec Admits Electric G-Class Is a 'Complete Flop': Report
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. 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Electric Review 35 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. G Minus The ICE: The Electric G-Wagon Is Comedy: Video Review The Electric G-Class Is Better Than the Gas Version Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Handelsblatt Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
