Mercedes is ditching the A-Class within the U.S. and has advised sellers it would change the C-Class and E-Class coupes with the brand new CLE.
Mercedes can be going more upmarket, specializing in its high-performance AMG and tony Maybach subbrands — each of which can even obtain the EV therapy.
Rival BMW Group is extra pragmatic with its pivot to a zero-emission future.
Having launched two EVs within the U.S. this yr, the automaker will ship battery-powered variations of the BMW 7 Sequence sedan and 5 Sequence sedan and the Mini Countryman crossover over the subsequent two years.
Additional out, Mini is contemplating two China-made EVs for the U.S. market, together with a crossover that may slot below the Countryman.
However BMW will nonetheless push on with redesigned combustion engine and hybrid variants of its marquee nameplates, together with the three Sequence, 5 Sequence and seven Sequence lineups.
“If you wish to be resilient, you must be versatile,” BMW CEO Oliver Zipse said in April. “We predict the [EV] infrastructure won’t transfer as quick as market demand.”
At Audi, the transition to an all-electric portfolio is continuing with the addition this yr of the This autumn E-tron whereas the model continues to expire its lineup of inner combustion-powered automobiles by another life cycle development.
Nevertheless, Audi’s aggressive timetable was impacted by the battle in Ukraine and the worldwide microchip scarcity, inflicting some tasks to slide additional into mid-decade.
Audi has additionally signaled that it’ll use design to assist differentiate its lineup by powertrain, adopting distinctive options for EVs solely. And it provided hope with a collection of idea automobiles over the past yr that it’ll keep on with the technological leading edge for its future EVs.
Larry P. Vellequette contributed to this report.