Mercedes-Benz’s third electric SUV after the mid-sized EQC and compact EQA has been officially on sale in Australia since September 1, yet we hear there might still be some available stock for a pre-Christmas delivery for buyers who are quick enough.
Speaking at the launch of the EQB EV SUV in Melbourne recently, Mercedes-Benz Australia head of media relations and brand engagement, Jerry Stamoulis, let it out that despite pent up demand, some examples of both grades – the 250 in five-seater and seven-seater models as well as the five-seater-only 350 4Matic – are arriving without customer names allocated to them.
“We delivered 80 last month, and stock (will be limited) and whatever lands will be gone,” he said.
“Right now, EQB is almost sold, but if somebody wants one and they are willing to get in quick, they can have one this year.
“If you wanted one, there might be something available, but if you want to place an order, it’s like any other car that you order from us, in that it could be anywhere between three to eight months – it’s hard to say at the moment.
“But based on the type of specification we have, we should have something that somebody would want (now).”
In 2022, this is rare, as demand for almost every electrified car and SUV in Australia has run hot across the board, from the BYD Atto 3 to the Mercedes-Benz EQS 53 AMG costing nearly 7.5 times the price.
As a result of this, consumers face many months of delays, with some expected delivery times even running into a year or beyond.
“With EQA and EQB, every single one that lands will go,” Mr Stamoulis added. “At this stage it will be the stock holding us back, not the demand.”
Whether Mercedes-Benz can improve the EV stock shortage heading into 2023 remains to be seen.
“We do get our fair share of electric cars and we do ask for more than we get, but as you can imagine, we are not the only market in the world that are wanting vehicles,” Mr Stamoulis explained.
“I’m not sure how long it will last for, but the demand will outstrip supply, at least in the foreseeable future.”
That said, the bastion of the German new-model release activity – the so-called ‘exclusive’ small-run launch edition, is likely to remain available in the EQB (where it’s known as the Edition One) until about the end of next year, according to Mr Stamoulis.
“It’s normally available from the start of both production for left-hand and right-hand drive,” he said. “By the time we’ve gone on sale, it’s probably another 12 months to go. “We’ll bring some in and people can order as well.
“(Demand generally for Edition One vehicles) is different for every car we’ve ever done it on. It’s normally quite high with AMG, but for some of the non-AMG models it can be up and down.”
For the record, costing $9100 on the 250 and $3900 on the 350 4Matic that already has some of its features as standard, the EQB Edition One includes items like an AMG body kit, ‘Rose Gold’ coloured 20-inch alloy wheels, a ‘Night’ trim package, illuminated door sills, grey leather upholstery, blue-stitched trim, unique climate control vents and a special key.
With only the lighter EQB 250 offering the $2900 third-row option in Australia due to the payload restrictions, Mercedes-Benz is reluctant to reveal what it believes will be the sales split between it and the heavier and more-expensive twin-motor EQB 350 4Matic all-wheel drive flagship, except to proffer a 50/50 broad prediction.
“We don’t have any data just yet,” Mr Stamoulis said. “The GLB data might reveal something, but it’s still too early to say.
“And with (the smaller, entry-level EQA) we’ve been only on sale with 250, and 350 is coming a little later, so we don’t have that comparison either as yet.”
While EVs like the Tesla Model Y and Hyundai Ioniq 5 mooted as possible crossover/SUV rivals to the EQB, Mercedes-Benz is adamant its electric car’s available people-packaging flexibility as well as robust SUV styling make it a unique proposition in the market.
“From a seven-seater perspective, I don’t think there is anything else, especially at this price range,” Mr Stamoulis said.
Finally, while the new EQB overlaps in some aspects with the existing GLC that has been on sale since 2015 as well as its EQC EV offshoot that landed in Australia four years later, the next-generation models – starting with the X254 GLC set to arrive in February next year – will be noticeably larger (and likely cost more), giving the EQB more breathing space in the market.
“The new GLC will grow in size, so it will bring some differentiation,” according to Mr Stamoulis. “The GLC we offer today has proportions that are similar if not identical.”
Keyword: Want a luxury EV SUV before Xmas? Mercedes-Benz says it still has stock of its new EQB electric car, if waiting for that Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Kia EV6 is taking too long