Mercedes-Benz CEO Announces 18 New Models By The End Of 2027 originally appeared on Autoblog.
Mercedes Has Big Plans To Overcome Rivals
In recent times, BMW has been enjoying remarkable sales success, but its compatriot rivals are not performing as well. In fact, BMW has sold twice as many cars as Audi did in the first six months of 2025, and while Mercedes has reported better figures, it's still only sold 142,000 vehicles in Q1 2025 compared to BMW's 178,499. In an attempt to close the gap to BMW over the next few years, Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius says the period from this year through 2027 will have "probably the most intense amount of launches in a three-year period in the history of our company," reports Top Gear, with no fewer than 18 new models planned.
18 New Vehicles, But Not As Many New Nameplates
Mercedes is considering the launch of a gas-powered vehicle as a separate thing from the launch of an EV with the same name, so the CLA EV counts as one launch and the hybrid CLA as another. Similarly, the upcoming combustion-powered CLA Shooting Brake is a new launch separate from the EV that has already been released. Mercedes reportedly intends to add one more 'entry-level' combustion car in 2026, alongside two electric cars.
One tier above these cars are the 'core' Merc models, which will welcome two combustion vehicles and two EVs next year. One of these will be the new all-electric GLC that was recently teased and will be revealed at the Munich auto show (IAA) in September. As TG notes, the current C-Class was launched around the same time as the GLC, in 2021, so it's likely that a facelift of the sedan will be unveiled before long.
Major Changes Coming To The Top Tier Of Mercedes Models
"Most of the customers at the top end today still choose the Swiss watch of cars with a combustion engine, but it's not going to stop our push to electrification," Källenius said. "By the end of this decade, for all relevant Mercedes-Benz models, there will be the choice of an electric powertrain for customers." This mirrors earlier comments from the company that revealed the EQS would disappear to be reborn simply as an S-Class EV with similar styling to the traditional model. As we've noted before, BMW's decision to make EVs like the i4, i5, and i7 look nearly identical to their combustion-powered 4 Series, 5 Series, and 7 Series siblings appears to be paying dividends. At the same time, Mercedes will continue developing internal combustion powertrains.
"Five years ago, we would have been estimating that we would be further along in the journey to electrification by now," the CEO said. "We will have both ICE and EV for minimum the next 10 years. You cannot let your high-tech combustion engine side sit still." Expect new AMG models soon, a new baby G-Class, and the production version of the GTXX concept, which will also spawn an SUV.
In summary, to satisfy both sorts of buyers, Mercedes plans six new combustion cars and six new EVs in the 'top end' bracket, two new ICE models and one EV in the 'core' lineup, and one new combustion car in the 'entry level' segment.
Related: 1,000-HP Brabus Turns The Mercedes-AMG GT Up To 11
Mercedes-Benz CEO Announces 18 New Models By The End Of 2027 first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 5, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
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