Mercedes-Benz is pausing production of its EQ-branded EVs for the American market, and some models got a big price cut ahead of the shutdown. The automaker recently confirmed that it would temporarily halt production of U.S.-bound EQE and EQS vehicles starting September 1, and the order banks for the cars have been closed.
A Mercedes sales manager in Ohio posted about the price drops on TikTok, saying that the 2026 EQS SUV would see a more than $15,000 price drop. The EQE SUV will drop by around $13,000, while the sedan’s price will fall by around $10,000. The EQS Sedan had the smallest price cut of around $5,000.
A spokesperson confirmed the shutdown, saying, “Vehicles scheduled for production prior to Sept. 1 will continue to be produced. This announcement applies only to U.S. vehicle orders of these models.” We don’t know how long the shutdown will last, but Mercedes builds the EQS and EQE SUVs at its Alabama factory, so American jobs could be impacted.
Mercedes’ EVs have never been a particularly hot sellers and they didn’t qualify for federal EV tax credits unless leased because of their high prices. Most expect a slowdown in EV demand as those credits fade away this year, and steep discounts don’t exactly fit with Mercedes’ image, so the EQ models could be due for an extended hiatus.
[Images: Mercedes-Benz]
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