Mercedes Becomes the Latest To Cut Trim And Models Across The Board

Mercedes’ lineup in the United States has almost doubled to 15 models since 2000. There’s more to come as aside from the recently launched A-Class Sedan, MB USA is getting ready to introduce the GLB. Dealers attending a national meeting held in Las Vegas earlier this month learned from Mercedes about the boxy crossover’s arrival scheduled for this holiday season.

During the same meeting, dealers were warned about a simplified lineup as Mercedes is looking to axe slow-selling products from its U.S. lineup. The SLC is being retired globally with a Final Edition, so the little roadster is saying goodbye to North America as well. The three-pointed star did not mention any other cars at risk to face extinction, but mentioned the vehicles in question will leave the U.S. within the next 12 months. The automaker went on to mention some announcements regarding which models will be terminated will be made in the following 90 days.

PUGPROUD - 5/20/2019 4:37:20 PM

+2 Boost

Smart move. Conserve resources for EV push.

MDarringer - 5/20/2019 6:35:11 PM

0 Boost

The Germans got silly with their model proliferation and now they need to contract.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 5/20/2019 8:38:43 PM

+1 Boost

@MD like the guy said, 14 pages, 100 options per page. Too much. And there is a G-Wagon Professional that is diesel and based on the previous Gen, all stripped down and ready to offroad and you can't buy it outside of a few select markets. I think it would sell if priced right.

malba2367 - 5/20/2019 8:11:57 PM

+3 Boost

I think they have to cut the model lineup in the US, as most of the business here is buying off the lot. Dealers simply can't afford to keep all these models on the lot, and the manufacturer ends up financing/incentivizing the inventory. In foreign markets they have more ability to keep multiple models since customers custom order vehicles.

MDarringer - 5/20/2019 9:53:17 PM

-2 Boost

Each model has the base, low mid, mid mid, high mid, high, AMG trim levels

GermanNut - 5/20/2019 10:35:27 PM

+3 Boost

I wonder if BMW will follow suit. While BMW's sales have done better than Mercedes-Benz and Audi this year in terms of YTD percentage performance, it too has a lot of models. I suspect once the Merceds-Benz GLC, GLE and GLS come into full swing, BMW's lead will start to shrink and likely be gone by year-end.

MDarringer - 5/21/2019 8:10:56 AM

-3 Boost

Percentage performance means nothing.

cidflekken - 5/21/2019 1:33:04 PM

+3 Boost

Kind of sad to know that coupes are becoming extinct. Especially the S-Class coupe which, for me, is one of the most gorgeous coupes ever. I'm surprised to know they sell so few since I continue to see tons of them on the road. Same with the C-Class Coupe.

Swagg - 5/22/2019 4:29:26 PM

+2 Boost

Yea, its quite disappointing. Particularly when I read the article mentioning people would rather buy the GLC coupe or GLE coupe rather the two door coupe of the C & S class. Lol who are these people??

Swagg - 5/22/2019 4:29:55 PM

+2 Boost

This is quite disappointing. Particularly when I read the article mentioning people would rather buy the GLC coupe or GLE coupe rather the two door coupe of the C & S class.

Lol who are these people??