Mercedes-Benz EQA delayed

Mercedes-Benz has postponed the official unveiling and global launch of its all-new EQA until 2021.

• The EQA’s unveil is expected 6 months later due to the Covid-19 pandemic
• Mercedes-Benz is slated to unveil the EQA, EQB and EQS in 2021
• No official announcement regarding India launch of EQA, yet

When was the Mercedes-Benz EQA originally to be unveiled?

The production version of the new electric crossover, previewed in lightly disguised prototype form during cold-weather testing last March, was originally planned to be revealed during the third quarter of 2020, with international sales beginning before the end of the year.

What caused the delay of the Mercedes-Benz EQA?

A reorganisation of Mercedes' electric car production activities, ongoing battery cell supply difficulties and interruptions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic are said to have forced a delay. The delay is expected to be around six months for the new model, pushing its unveil to the first half of 2021.

Where is the Mercedes-Benz EQA going to be produced?

Among the key organisation changes that have affected the launch plan is a switch in the production location for the upcoming EQB, according to Mercedes sources.

The third EQ model was originally slated to be assembled at the Smart Fortwo factory in Hambach, France. However, ongoing talks relating to a sale of the facility to Ineos and a subsequent decision to move EQB production to Rastatt, Germany, where the EQA is due to be built, are said to have delayed plans for the entry-level electric Mercedes.

What is the Mercedes-Benz EQA?

The Mercedes-Benz EQA will be an all-electric model based heavily on the second-generation GLA crossover. It will compete with the likes of the new Volkswagen ID 3.

As of now, two distinct variants of the EQA are planned, with standard single-motor front-wheel drive and optional dual-motor four-wheel drive.

The EQA will also be one of three new electric Mercedes now planned to go on sale in 2021, together with the EQB and EQS. A fourth model, the EQE, is set for sale in 2022.

Will the Mercedes-Benz EQA get an AMG version?

Word out of Mercedes' AMG performance division suggests that a four-wheel-drive sporting variant of the EQA could be on the cards.

Nothing is official, but our sister publication Autocar UK, understands that AMG is preparing a top-spec EQA model, featuring an upgraded rear motor to provide it with performance consummate to the recently unveiled GLA 45 S.

Will the Mercedes-Benz EQA come to India?

The German Luxury carmaker has made no official announcement regarding its plans to bring the EQA to our market. However, Mercedes-Benz has already confirmed that it will bring its electric ‘EQ’ sub-brand to India with the launch of the EQC in the coming months. You can read our Mercedes-Benz EQC India review to see how it performs on our roads.