In any case, the EQS represents progress. Mercedes built its initial electric vehicle, the EQC SUV, on a tweaked combustion-engine platform with compromised efficiency. It offers about 280 miles of range.
Schaefer said that going forward, Mercedes will be able to flexibly scale up output of any kind of vehicle. He expects “a steep increase” this year for plug-ins and pure EVs that accounted for 8% of deliveries in 2020.
Mercedes will be able to meet demand if consumers embrace EVs faster than expected, Schaefer said. The company has forecast that half its deliveries will be plug-in hybrids and fully electric cars in 2030.
The automaker also is open to sharing components or electric-car underpinnings with more peers in addition to Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings Plc if the cooperation is mutually beneficial, according to Schaefer. Mercedes deepened its ties with the British luxury-car maker last year.
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.