Benz outs 2019 model rollout plans
BY TIM NICHOLSON | 30th Oct 2018
MERCEDES-BENZ has revealed its global model rollout plans for 2019, with the German car-maker set to launch at least 12 new or updated models and variants next year.
The 2018-to-2019 road map was released as a slide in the middle of a January-to-September results press release and it provides a glimpse of what’s to come from Benz.
As expected, Benz is set to launch its recently revealed GLE large SUV and B-Class tallboy hatchback in the first quarter of the next year internationally, with the GLE touching down in Australia in April. Local timing for the B-Class is unclear.
Benz’s electrified vehicle rollout picks up significant pace in 2019, with the fully electric EQC mid-size SUV hitting showrooms around the world mid-year.
The fully electric eVito will start to roll out at the end of 2018 or start of 2019 and the larger eSprinter will go to market late in 2019.
Both electric light commercials will eventually be offered Down Under, but, as GoAuto has reported, the Australian arm will have to wait until they are rolled out to other more EV-friendly markets first.
The V-Class people-mover will get a facelift in the first half of the year and so will the GLC and GLC Coupe mid-size SUV twins that launched in Australia in late-2015 and late-2016 respectively.
An all-new CLA four-door coupe-style sedan will replace the existing swoopy model just before mid-year and it will be based on the new MFA2 architecture that underpins the new A-Class hatch. The Shooting Brake version will follow it in late-2019.
Benz has also confirmed that it will launch the eighth model from its compact-car family just before the end of 2019.
While Benz has not officially confirmed what that model will be, it is widely believed to be the new GLB compact crossover that will be pitched as a mini G-Class, with rugged looks and some off-road abilities.
The new-generation GLS will also lob early in the second half of 2019 and will go head to head with BMW’s freshly revealed X7 seven-seat upper large SUV and the Range Rover, as well as the Lexus LX and Infiniti QX80.
Missing from the launch list is an all-new GLA crossover which might surface in 2020.
An upgrade to the Smart city car will also land just before the end of next year, but the Smart brand is not currently offered in Australia.
The company’s local arm has however expressed interest in resurrecting the brand in Australia after the entire Smart line-up becomes electric only from 2020.
Benz also detailed its 2018 launches that have included the A-Class sedan, C-Class facelift, AMG 4-door Coupe and S-Class Pullman.
