Mercedes Says It Won’t Hesitate To Kill Off Unpopular Models

Mercedes-Benz admits that it won’t hesitate to kill off models which it feels are no popular.

Speaking to Top Gear at the ongoing Paris Auto Show, current Mercedes research and development boss and future chief executive Ola Kallenius said that the company’s willingness to kill off models comes after two decades of constant expansion.

“We have had about 20 years of almost uninterrupted broadening of the portfolio, especially on the SUV side, if you look at how successful that has been over the years.

“[Between] 2020-2022 this will take us to well above 40 models. And even if we love every one of our ‘children’, and we do, we must be very rational. We must not hesitate to slim down as well,” he said.

It’s hard to keep track of all the current Mercedes models.

Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, Kallenius didn’t pinpoint any of automaker’s current models which are on the chopping block. However, the slow-selling SLC roadster will probably be the first model to go if Mercedes does actually go about trimming its range.

“I do not think we’re looking at any radical trimming of the tree here. But, over the next ten years, we’ll look at the portfolio, look at what makes sense and cater it to where the market is going,” he said.

In all likelihood, Mercedes-Benz will reduce the number of sedans it sells in favor of SUV models, particularly in the United States.

As for some future models which could be on the cards, Kallenius dropped a hint that the AMG GT family could be expanded beyond the all-new GT 4-Door.