We asked the Mercedes CEO, "What about gasoline and diesel?"

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its new electric C-Class, marking a pivotal moment in the automaker’s history. The introduction of this all-electric model signals a strategic shift toward electrification while maintaining a commitment to internal combustion engines and hybrid technologies. According to Klaus Rehkugler, deputy head of product management and global training at Mercedes-Benz, the decision to launch the electric C-Class was deliberate, aligning with the company's long-term vision for sustainable mobility. The vehicle is based on a new dedicated electric architecture, similar to the one used for the electric GLC, which is designed specifically for battery-powered vehicles. This platform is intended to serve as the foundation for the largest sales segment within Mercedes-Benz’s lineup. The transition to electric power is expected to take longer than previously anticipated. While Mercedes-Benz believes electric propulsion will eventually dominate, the company acknowledges that the shift will be gradual. Internal combustion engines and plug-in hybrids remain integral to the brand’s strategy for the foreseeable future. In Stuttgart, officials have emphasized that gasoline and diesel engines, along with hybrid variants, will continue to play a key role in the company’s offerings over the coming decade. This approach reflects a balanced strategy aimed at meeting consumer demand while advancing technological innovation. The new electric C-Class represents one of the most significant introductions in Mercedes-Benz’s recent history. It enters the core of the brand’s product portfolio, a segment historically crucial to its identity and market presence. Unlike previous models, the electric C-Class is not simply an evolution of the current gasoline-powered version. Instead, it is a completely separate vehicle built on a purpose-designed electric architecture. This underscores the company’s commitment to developing specialized platforms tailored to different powertrain configurations. Rehkugler explained that the decision to prioritize the electric C-Class was not arbitrary. The model is part of a broader strategy to integrate electric vehicles into the mainstream market. By launching the electric C-Class first, Mercedes-Benz aims to establish a strong foothold in the growing segment of electric compact cars. The company is confident that this move will help shape the future of its model range. However, he also clarified that the traditional C-Class will not disappear. A comprehensive redesign of the current generation of ICE-powered C-Class is planned for later this year, ensuring that the model remains relevant in the market for years to come. Despite the emphasis on electric vehicles, Mercedes-Benz maintains that design and functionality will remain distinct between electric and conventional models. While the redesigned ICE C-Class will share some common design elements with the electric variant, it will retain its own unique architecture suited for combustion engines. This approach allows the brand to maintain a clear distinction between its electric and traditional offerings, catering to diverse customer preferences. The dual architecture strategy has been a point of discussion among industry observers. Critics have questioned why Mercedes-Benz hasn’t yet developed a unified platform capable of supporting both electric and internal combustion engines, akin to the architecture used for the CLA and GLB models. Rehkugler addressed these concerns, explaining that economic factors play a major role in such decisions. The current C-Class with internal combustion engines was introduced in 2021, and its development cycle typically spans seven to eight years. Changing the architecture after four or five years would mean losing substantial investment. “Today we use two architectures, but in the long run, we will unify them,” he stated. This strategy of separating development cycles for electric and conventional vehicles is referred to internally as “closing the zipper” or “filling the gap.” Currently, development for electric and thermal-engine vehicles proceeds independently, but future generations will be constructed on a shared modular base. The first example of this integrated approach is the new MMA architecture for compact models, which has already produced both electric and gasoline/hybrid versions of the CLA and other models. This modular framework is expected to streamline production and enhance flexibility in adapting to evolving market demands.