Mercedes-Benz will temporarily suspend production and stop taking orders for its EQE and EQS electric vehicle lineups intended for the U.S. market starting September 1, a company spokesperson confirmed. The pause affects both SUV and saloon variants of the two models, with no timeline provided for when production or sales will resume.
“All U.S. vehicle orders of these models scheduled for production prior to Sept. 1 will continue to be produced,” a Mercedes-Benz USA spokesperson told InsideEVs, adding that the measure applies only to the U.S. market. Dealers have already been informed, and order books have been closed.
The production halt will affect three plants: the SUV versions of the EQE and EQS are manufactured in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, while the saloon versions are built in Bremen and Sindelfingen, Germany, and exported to the U.S. Production for other global markets, including Europe, will continue uninterrupted.
While Mercedes did not directly explain the rationale, the move coincides with mounting challenges in the U.S. EV market, including the expiration of certain federal EV tax credits at the end of September. The EQE and EQS models do not currently qualify for these incentives unless leased.
“As a company with global activities and more than 30 plants worldwide, including in Alabama and South Carolina, Mercedes-Benz maintains a local-for-local strategy,” the spokesperson said. “In doing so, we continuously optimise our production network and use its high flexibility to react quickly to market conditions.”
The market for EQ models in the U.S. has been tepid, with analysts pointing to factors such as controversial design choices, lower interior quality relative to Mercedes’ combustion counterparts, limited range, and slower charging times compared to competitors. The looming phase-out of tax incentives has added further uncertainty.
Other electric offerings such as the Hungarian-built EQB SUV and the ultra-luxury EQS SUV Maybach are still listed on the U.S. configurator, but it remains unclear whether they will be impacted. The company has not commented on the EQB’s future in the U.S.
Mercedes’ upcoming electric models like the next-generation CLA and electric GLC are expected to remain part of its U.S. strategy. These vehicles, built with more traditional styling and familiar nameplates, are anticipated to resonate more strongly with American consumers than the EQ-branded series.