Mercedes C-Class electric global debut in 2026

Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius has confirmed the arrival of an all-electric C-Class sedan in 2026. An all-electric GLC SUV will also be revealed around the same time. This development was confirmed at the recent Mercedes’ earnings call for the second quarter of 2024, according to our sister publication, Autocar UK.

1. C-Class and GLC’s electric versions will sit in ‘core luxury’ segment
2. India to get Maybach EQS SUV on September 5
3. Mercedes is betting big on high-end models globally

Mercedes’ future line-up: what’s coming? 

The two new all-electric models from the German brand will be positioned in what Mercedes dubs the ‘core luxury’ segment, currently occupied by the likes of the CLE and E-Class globally. The CLE debuted in India recently, and the all-new E-Class with LWB body style is due in the coming months.

Mercedes-Benz’s entry-level line-up will include the CLA coupe sedan and the GLA and GLB SUVs, all based on the new MMA platform. The all-new CLA, showcased as a concept at last year’s Munich Motor Show, will debut in 2025. The German brand is expected to raise the pricing of these new entry-level models to some extent to make up for costs for advanced tech and other bits.

In the same earnings call, the brand also confirmed that it plans to grow the share of its “top-end” luxury cars, such as AMG performance models and the G-Class, by 60 percent globally. In India, too, the brand sees strong potential for its top-end vehicle (TEV) category, which comprises cars priced above Rs 1.5 crore. 

In a recent interaction, Sagree Sardien, head of Region Overseas, Mercedes-Benz Cars, said the company sees strong potential in the TEV category as it has been reporting double-digit growth for Mercedes-Benz in recent years. In India, the TEV segment contributed over 25 percent of the brand’s total volumes in 2023, and as per Sardien, “this trend will continue in 2024 and beyond”.

Mercedes-Benz also assured that despite its growing assault on the EV market, it remains committed to offering combustion-engined cars globally. As far as India goes, the EQS Maybach electric SUV is the next launch here. The much-awaited E-class sedan will also go on sale in the coming months. Apart from these, the electric G-Class SUV and the updated AMG GT will also launch in India this year.