
Mercedes-Benz admits its G-Class EV is a "complete flop"
Launched last week in Australia, the Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology, as the G-Class electric vehicle (EV) is called, was revealed in 2024 as the production version of the 2021 EQG concept.
While the G-Class (often referred to as the G-Wagen or Geländewagen) has long been a favourite of celebrities, for many years it's also been inextricably linked with the V8 engine under the bonnet of the brawny Mercedes-AMG G63, which costs a cool $365,900 before on-road costs.
The move to electric power in the lengthily named G580 with EQ Technology has reportedly not only been met with a collective yawn from consumers, despite its significantly lower starting price ($249,000 in Australia), but could also impact the German automaker's future product plans.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
"The car is sitting like lead at dealers; it's a complete flop," an unnamed Mercedes-Benz executive told German business newspaper Handelsblatt.
"People want a real G-Class – with six or eight cylinders," reads another quote from an anonymous source.
Another insider had a more glass-half-full explanation, telling the media outlet: "It's a niche model; production numbers are very low."
According to the German publication, Mercedes-Benz is now considering launching the upcoming 'little G' – a smaller SUV with similarly boxy styling – with a petrol engine instead of offering it exclusively with electric power.
This model is due for launch in 2027.
This bad publicity over weak demand for the G-Class EV follows the response to the plug-in hybrid Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance, which has been dogged by reports of weak demand and heavy discounting in markets like Germany, as well as repeated rumours of a return to V8 power (or at least the adoption of a turbocharged inline six) for AMG's arch-rival to the BMW M3.
Unlike the C63, in which a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain completely replaced a twin-turbo V8, Mercedes-Benz's electric G-Wagen didn't come at the expense of much-loved combustion-powered variants of the legendary off-road wagon.
To that end, Mercedes-Benz can adjust its production mix to match buyer demand.
"Mercedes-Benz is prepared for all market scenarios. Into the 2030s, we can flexibly offer vehicles with both a fully electric drivetrain or an electrified high-tech combustion engine," a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson told Motor1.
"Our customers decide what suits them best. This applies also for the G-Class."
This year to the end of May, Mercedes-Benz has delivered 23 examples of the newly-released G-Class EV in Australia, compared to 133 combustion-powered variants in the same period.
According to Handelsblatt, Mercedes-Benz had sold 1450 G-Class EVs worldwide to the end of April, against around 9700 petrol and diesel G-Class vehicles.
Despite this, a spokesperson told the publication "[we are] on target with our sales figures".
And despite its high-tech powertrain, the electric G-Class is cheaper than both the combustion-powered G450d and G500 in Germany, though it also lacks a towbar option and has a maximum payload of only 415kg.
But Mercedes-Benz hasn't offered a non-AMG, non-electric G-Class in Australia since it dropped the G400d in 2022, hence the $115,000-plus price gap between the G580 and G63 here.
Powering the G580 are four electric motors capable of producing up to 432kW and 1164Nm, propelling the circa-3000kg SUV from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds, and allowing it to perform 'tank turns' on the spot.
A huge 116kWh battery supplies power to the blocky EV, which has a claimed driving range of 473km on the WLTP test cycle.
The twin-turbo V8-powered G63 AMG, in contrast, produces 430kW and 850Nm. It's good for a 0-100km/h time of 4.4 seconds, thanks in large part to weighing around 400kg less than the electric model.
MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
The first all-electric version of one of Mercedes-Benz's most iconic models reportedly isn't selling well.
Launched last week in Australia, the Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology, as the G-Class electric vehicle (EV) is called, was revealed in 2024 as the production version of the 2021 EQG concept.
While the G-Class (often referred to as the G-Wagen or Geländewagen) has long been a favourite of celebrities, for many years it's also been inextricably linked with the V8 engine under the bonnet of the brawny Mercedes-AMG G63, which costs a cool $365,900 before on-road costs.
The move to electric power in the lengthily named G580 with EQ Technology has reportedly not only been met with a collective yawn from consumers, despite its significantly lower starting price ($249,000 in Australia), but could also impact the German automaker's future product plans.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
"The car is sitting like lead at dealers; it's a complete flop," an unnamed Mercedes-Benz executive told German business newspaper Handelsblatt.
"People want a real G-Class – with six or eight cylinders," reads another quote from an anonymous source.
Another insider had a more glass-half-full explanation, telling the media outlet: "It's a niche model; production numbers are very low."
According to the German publication, Mercedes-Benz is now considering launching the upcoming 'little G' – a smaller SUV with similarly boxy styling – with a petrol engine instead of offering it exclusively with electric power.
This model is due for launch in 2027.
This bad publicity over weak demand for the G-Class EV follows the response to the plug-in hybrid Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance, which has been dogged by reports of weak demand and heavy discounting in markets like Germany, as well as repeated rumours of a return to V8 power (or at least the adoption of a turbocharged inline six) for AMG's arch-rival to the BMW M3.
Unlike the C63, in which a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain completely replaced a twin-turbo V8, Mercedes-Benz's electric G-Wagen didn't come at the expense of much-loved combustion-powered variants of the legendary off-road wagon.
To that end, Mercedes-Benz can adjust its production mix to match buyer demand.
"Mercedes-Benz is prepared for all market scenarios. Into the 2030s, we can flexibly offer vehicles with both a fully electric drivetrain or an electrified high-tech combustion engine," a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson told Motor1.
"Our customers decide what suits them best. This applies also for the G-Class."
This year to the end of May, Mercedes-Benz has delivered 23 examples of the newly-released G-Class EV in Australia, compared to 133 combustion-powered variants in the same period.
According to Handelsblatt, Mercedes-Benz had sold 1450 G-Class EVs worldwide to the end of April, against around 9700 petrol and diesel G-Class vehicles.
Despite this, a spokesperson told the publication "[we are] on target with our sales figures".
And despite its high-tech powertrain, the electric G-Class is cheaper than both the combustion-powered G450d and G500 in Germany, though it also lacks a towbar option and has a maximum payload of only 415kg.
But Mercedes-Benz hasn't offered a non-AMG, non-electric G-Class in Australia since it dropped the G400d in 2022, hence the $115,000-plus price gap between the G580 and G63 here.
Powering the G580 are four electric motors capable of producing up to 432kW and 1164Nm, propelling the circa-3000kg SUV from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds, and allowing it to perform 'tank turns' on the spot.
A huge 116kWh battery supplies power to the blocky EV, which has a claimed driving range of 473km on the WLTP test cycle.
The twin-turbo V8-powered G63 AMG, in contrast, produces 430kW and 850Nm. It's good for a 0-100km/h time of 4.4 seconds, thanks in large part to weighing around 400kg less than the electric model.
MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
The first all-electric version of one of Mercedes-Benz's most iconic models reportedly isn't selling well.
Launched last week in Australia, the Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology, as the G-Class electric vehicle (EV) is called, was revealed in 2024 as the production version of the 2021 EQG concept.
While the G-Class (often referred to as the G-Wagen or Geländewagen) has long been a favourite of celebrities, for many years it's also been inextricably linked with the V8 engine under the bonnet of the brawny Mercedes-AMG G63, which costs a cool $365,900 before on-road costs.
The move to electric power in the lengthily named G580 with EQ Technology has reportedly not only been met with a collective yawn from consumers, despite its significantly lower starting price ($249,000 in Australia), but could also impact the German automaker's future product plans.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
"The car is sitting like lead at dealers; it's a complete flop," an unnamed Mercedes-Benz executive told German business newspaper Handelsblatt.
"People want a real G-Class – with six or eight cylinders," reads another quote from an anonymous source.
Another insider had a more glass-half-full explanation, telling the media outlet: "It's a niche model; production numbers are very low."
According to the German publication, Mercedes-Benz is now considering launching the upcoming 'little G' – a smaller SUV with similarly boxy styling – with a petrol engine instead of offering it exclusively with electric power.
This model is due for launch in 2027.
This bad publicity over weak demand for the G-Class EV follows the response to the plug-in hybrid Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance, which has been dogged by reports of weak demand and heavy discounting in markets like Germany, as well as repeated rumours of a return to V8 power (or at least the adoption of a turbocharged inline six) for AMG's arch-rival to the BMW M3.
Unlike the C63, in which a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain completely replaced a twin-turbo V8, Mercedes-Benz's electric G-Wagen didn't come at the expense of much-loved combustion-powered variants of the legendary off-road wagon.
To that end, Mercedes-Benz can adjust its production mix to match buyer demand.
"Mercedes-Benz is prepared for all market scenarios. Into the 2030s, we can flexibly offer vehicles with both a fully electric drivetrain or an electrified high-tech combustion engine," a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson told Motor1.
"Our customers decide what suits them best. This applies also for the G-Class."
This year to the end of May, Mercedes-Benz has delivered 23 examples of the newly-released G-Class EV in Australia, compared to 133 combustion-powered variants in the same period.
According to Handelsblatt, Mercedes-Benz had sold 1450 G-Class EVs worldwide to the end of April, against around 9700 petrol and diesel G-Class vehicles.
Despite this, a spokesperson told the publication "[we are] on target with our sales figures".
And despite its high-tech powertrain, the electric G-Class is cheaper than both the combustion-powered G450d and G500 in Germany, though it also lacks a towbar option and has a maximum payload of only 415kg.
But Mercedes-Benz hasn't offered a non-AMG, non-electric G-Class in Australia since it dropped the G400d in 2022, hence the $115,000-plus price gap between the G580 and G63 here.
Powering the G580 are four electric motors capable of producing up to 432kW and 1164Nm, propelling the circa-3000kg SUV from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds, and allowing it to perform 'tank turns' on the spot.
A huge 116kWh battery supplies power to the blocky EV, which has a claimed driving range of 473km on the WLTP test cycle.
The twin-turbo V8-powered G63 AMG, in contrast, produces 430kW and 850Nm. It's good for a 0-100km/h time of 4.4 seconds, thanks in large part to weighing around 400kg less than the electric model.
MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
The first all-electric version of one of Mercedes-Benz's most iconic models reportedly isn't selling well.
Launched last week in Australia, the Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology, as the G-Class electric vehicle (EV) is called, was revealed in 2024 as the production version of the 2021 EQG concept.
While the G-Class (often referred to as the G-Wagen or Geländewagen) has long been a favourite of celebrities, for many years it's also been inextricably linked with the V8 engine under the bonnet of the brawny Mercedes-AMG G63, which costs a cool $365,900 before on-road costs.
The move to electric power in the lengthily named G580 with EQ Technology has reportedly not only been met with a collective yawn from consumers, despite its significantly lower starting price ($249,000 in Australia), but could also impact the German automaker's future product plans.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
"The car is sitting like lead at dealers; it's a complete flop," an unnamed Mercedes-Benz executive told German business newspaper Handelsblatt.
"People want a real G-Class – with six or eight cylinders," reads another quote from an anonymous source.
Another insider had a more glass-half-full explanation, telling the media outlet: "It's a niche model; production numbers are very low."
According to the German publication, Mercedes-Benz is now considering launching the upcoming 'little G' – a smaller SUV with similarly boxy styling – with a petrol engine instead of offering it exclusively with electric power.
This model is due for launch in 2027.
This bad publicity over weak demand for the G-Class EV follows the response to the plug-in hybrid Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance, which has been dogged by reports of weak demand and heavy discounting in markets like Germany, as well as repeated rumours of a return to V8 power (or at least the adoption of a turbocharged inline six) for AMG's arch-rival to the BMW M3.
Unlike the C63, in which a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain completely replaced a twin-turbo V8, Mercedes-Benz's electric G-Wagen didn't come at the expense of much-loved combustion-powered variants of the legendary off-road wagon.
To that end, Mercedes-Benz can adjust its production mix to match buyer demand.
"Mercedes-Benz is prepared for all market scenarios. Into the 2030s, we can flexibly offer vehicles with both a fully electric drivetrain or an electrified high-tech combustion engine," a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson told Motor1.
"Our customers decide what suits them best. This applies also for the G-Class."
This year to the end of May, Mercedes-Benz has delivered 23 examples of the newly-released G-Class EV in Australia, compared to 133 combustion-powered variants in the same period.
According to Handelsblatt, Mercedes-Benz had sold 1450 G-Class EVs worldwide to the end of April, against around 9700 petrol and diesel G-Class vehicles.
Despite this, a spokesperson told the publication "[we are] on target with our sales figures".
And despite its high-tech powertrain, the electric G-Class is cheaper than both the combustion-powered G450d and G500 in Germany, though it also lacks a towbar option and has a maximum payload of only 415kg.
But Mercedes-Benz hasn't offered a non-AMG, non-electric G-Class in Australia since it dropped the G400d in 2022, hence the $115,000-plus price gap between the G580 and G63 here.
Powering the G580 are four electric motors capable of producing up to 432kW and 1164Nm, propelling the circa-3000kg SUV from 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds, and allowing it to perform 'tank turns' on the spot.
A huge 116kWh battery supplies power to the blocky EV, which has a claimed driving range of 473km on the WLTP test cycle.
The twin-turbo V8-powered G63 AMG, in contrast, produces 430kW and 850Nm. It's good for a 0-100km/h time of 4.4 seconds, thanks in large part to weighing around 400kg less than the electric model.
MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
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Arch-rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz have a close competition going on – just six deliveries separate them in this year's sales race – but unusually both brands have simultaneously announced local leadership changes. In press releases both dated July 14, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have confirmed new Australian bosses. Vikram Pawah is returning to the position of CEO of BMW Group Australia from September 1, 2025, having previously held the role between 2018 and 2020 and more recently served as head of BMW Group India – where, BMW notes, he presided over "consistent year-on-year [sales] increases". He takes over from Wolfgang Buechel, who has been promoted to vice president and head of Mini Global Sales, where he'll be responsible for developing and executing Mini's global sales strategy. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. 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Mr Cohen joined after Mercedes-Benz moved to an agency sales model in Australia for its Cars division, which resulted in a sales downturn. The agency move saw Mercedes-Benz take ownership of dealership stock, and remove the ability for customers and dealership staff to negotiate on prices – a change that saw dealers sue the brand over what it called inadequate compensation. The Federal Court ruled against the dealers, and this month dismissed an appeal made against its ruling. Deliveries of vehicles from Mercedes-Benz Cars fell from 28,348 in 2021 to 26,801 in 2022, before dropping again in 2023 to 24,315, and then 19,989 in 2024. But there's light at the end of the tunnel, it would appear, with deliveries in the first half of 2025 up 15.9 per cent on the same period last year to 11,146 in total – Mercedes-Benz's best first-half of a year since 2023. BMW is well ahead of Mercedes-Benz in terms of electric vehicles (EVs), however. To the end of June, BMW has delivered 3090 EVs so far this year, while Mercedes-Benz has delivered 1581 – a figure that also includes EVs from its Mercedes-Benz Vans division. Content originally sourced from: Arch-rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz have a close competition going on – just six deliveries separate them in this year's sales race – but unusually both brands have simultaneously announced local leadership changes. In press releases both dated July 14, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have confirmed new Australian bosses. Vikram Pawah is returning to the position of CEO of BMW Group Australia from September 1, 2025, having previously held the role between 2018 and 2020 and more recently served as head of BMW Group India – where, BMW notes, he presided over "consistent year-on-year [sales] increases". He takes over from Wolfgang Buechel, who has been promoted to vice president and head of Mini Global Sales, where he'll be responsible for developing and executing Mini's global sales strategy. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. ABOVE: Vikram Pawah (left) and Wolfgang Buechel (right) Mr Buechel served as BMW Group Australia CEO for five years, and leaves after leading BMW to reclaim its position, after 11 years, as the leading premium automotive brand in Australia in 2023. It remained ahead of Mercedes-Benz in 2024 – 26,341 versus 24,831 deliveries, the latter including the three-pointed star brand's van division – and sits ahead of it so far this year. It's a tighter race this year, with BMW sitting at 13,712 deliveries against 13,706 for Mercedes-Benz. At the same time, the CEO and managing director of Mercedes-Benz Australia-Pacific, Jamie Cohen, is stepping down from his role after just over a year. ABOVE: Homero Becerra Gonzalez (left) and Jaime Cohen (right) He's being succeeded by Homero Becerra Gonzalez, who assumes the role on November 1, 2025. Mr Cohen will work closely with Mr Becerra Gonzalez before departing the company on December 31, 2025. Mr Becerra Gonzalez has an extensive background in finance, having headed up Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Iberia since earlier this year, serving in this role while simultaneously being managing director of Mercedes-Benz fleet and mobility subsidiary Athlon Iberia since 2021. He also has previously served as the head of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services in Italy. He takes over from Mr Cohen, who joined the Australia/Pacific division in April 2024, following a five-year tenure as the CEO and managing director of Mercedes-Benz Mexico. The outgoing local boss has more than 35 years of experience within the Mercedes-Benz Group. "Under his leadership, Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific achieved sustained sales and market share growth in a challenging and dynamic geopolitical environment, including a steady rise in the share of electric vehicle deliveries," the company said in its release announcing the change. Mr Cohen joined after Mercedes-Benz moved to an agency sales model in Australia for its Cars division, which resulted in a sales downturn. The agency move saw Mercedes-Benz take ownership of dealership stock, and remove the ability for customers and dealership staff to negotiate on prices – a change that saw dealers sue the brand over what it called inadequate compensation. The Federal Court ruled against the dealers, and this month dismissed an appeal made against its ruling. Deliveries of vehicles from Mercedes-Benz Cars fell from 28,348 in 2021 to 26,801 in 2022, before dropping again in 2023 to 24,315, and then 19,989 in 2024. But there's light at the end of the tunnel, it would appear, with deliveries in the first half of 2025 up 15.9 per cent on the same period last year to 11,146 in total – Mercedes-Benz's best first-half of a year since 2023. BMW is well ahead of Mercedes-Benz in terms of electric vehicles (EVs), however. To the end of June, BMW has delivered 3090 EVs so far this year, while Mercedes-Benz has delivered 1581 – a figure that also includes EVs from its Mercedes-Benz Vans division. Content originally sourced from: Arch-rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz have a close competition going on – just six deliveries separate them in this year's sales race – but unusually both brands have simultaneously announced local leadership changes. In press releases both dated July 14, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have confirmed new Australian bosses. Vikram Pawah is returning to the position of CEO of BMW Group Australia from September 1, 2025, having previously held the role between 2018 and 2020 and more recently served as head of BMW Group India – where, BMW notes, he presided over "consistent year-on-year [sales] increases". He takes over from Wolfgang Buechel, who has been promoted to vice president and head of Mini Global Sales, where he'll be responsible for developing and executing Mini's global sales strategy. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. ABOVE: Vikram Pawah (left) and Wolfgang Buechel (right) Mr Buechel served as BMW Group Australia CEO for five years, and leaves after leading BMW to reclaim its position, after 11 years, as the leading premium automotive brand in Australia in 2023. It remained ahead of Mercedes-Benz in 2024 – 26,341 versus 24,831 deliveries, the latter including the three-pointed star brand's van division – and sits ahead of it so far this year. It's a tighter race this year, with BMW sitting at 13,712 deliveries against 13,706 for Mercedes-Benz. At the same time, the CEO and managing director of Mercedes-Benz Australia-Pacific, Jamie Cohen, is stepping down from his role after just over a year. ABOVE: Homero Becerra Gonzalez (left) and Jaime Cohen (right) He's being succeeded by Homero Becerra Gonzalez, who assumes the role on November 1, 2025. Mr Cohen will work closely with Mr Becerra Gonzalez before departing the company on December 31, 2025. Mr Becerra Gonzalez has an extensive background in finance, having headed up Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Iberia since earlier this year, serving in this role while simultaneously being managing director of Mercedes-Benz fleet and mobility subsidiary Athlon Iberia since 2021. He also has previously served as the head of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services in Italy. He takes over from Mr Cohen, who joined the Australia/Pacific division in April 2024, following a five-year tenure as the CEO and managing director of Mercedes-Benz Mexico. The outgoing local boss has more than 35 years of experience within the Mercedes-Benz Group. "Under his leadership, Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific achieved sustained sales and market share growth in a challenging and dynamic geopolitical environment, including a steady rise in the share of electric vehicle deliveries," the company said in its release announcing the change. Mr Cohen joined after Mercedes-Benz moved to an agency sales model in Australia for its Cars division, which resulted in a sales downturn. The agency move saw Mercedes-Benz take ownership of dealership stock, and remove the ability for customers and dealership staff to negotiate on prices – a change that saw dealers sue the brand over what it called inadequate compensation. The Federal Court ruled against the dealers, and this month dismissed an appeal made against its ruling. Deliveries of vehicles from Mercedes-Benz Cars fell from 28,348 in 2021 to 26,801 in 2022, before dropping again in 2023 to 24,315, and then 19,989 in 2024. But there's light at the end of the tunnel, it would appear, with deliveries in the first half of 2025 up 15.9 per cent on the same period last year to 11,146 in total – Mercedes-Benz's best first-half of a year since 2023. BMW is well ahead of Mercedes-Benz in terms of electric vehicles (EVs), however. To the end of June, BMW has delivered 3090 EVs so far this year, while Mercedes-Benz has delivered 1581 – a figure that also includes EVs from its Mercedes-Benz Vans division. Content originally sourced from: Arch-rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz have a close competition going on – just six deliveries separate them in this year's sales race – but unusually both brands have simultaneously announced local leadership changes. In press releases both dated July 14, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have confirmed new Australian bosses. Vikram Pawah is returning to the position of CEO of BMW Group Australia from September 1, 2025, having previously held the role between 2018 and 2020 and more recently served as head of BMW Group India – where, BMW notes, he presided over "consistent year-on-year [sales] increases". He takes over from Wolfgang Buechel, who has been promoted to vice president and head of Mini Global Sales, where he'll be responsible for developing and executing Mini's global sales strategy. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. ABOVE: Vikram Pawah (left) and Wolfgang Buechel (right) Mr Buechel served as BMW Group Australia CEO for five years, and leaves after leading BMW to reclaim its position, after 11 years, as the leading premium automotive brand in Australia in 2023. It remained ahead of Mercedes-Benz in 2024 – 26,341 versus 24,831 deliveries, the latter including the three-pointed star brand's van division – and sits ahead of it so far this year. It's a tighter race this year, with BMW sitting at 13,712 deliveries against 13,706 for Mercedes-Benz. At the same time, the CEO and managing director of Mercedes-Benz Australia-Pacific, Jamie Cohen, is stepping down from his role after just over a year. ABOVE: Homero Becerra Gonzalez (left) and Jaime Cohen (right) He's being succeeded by Homero Becerra Gonzalez, who assumes the role on November 1, 2025. Mr Cohen will work closely with Mr Becerra Gonzalez before departing the company on December 31, 2025. Mr Becerra Gonzalez has an extensive background in finance, having headed up Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Iberia since earlier this year, serving in this role while simultaneously being managing director of Mercedes-Benz fleet and mobility subsidiary Athlon Iberia since 2021. He also has previously served as the head of Mercedes-Benz Financial Services in Italy. He takes over from Mr Cohen, who joined the Australia/Pacific division in April 2024, following a five-year tenure as the CEO and managing director of Mercedes-Benz Mexico. The outgoing local boss has more than 35 years of experience within the Mercedes-Benz Group. "Under his leadership, Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific achieved sustained sales and market share growth in a challenging and dynamic geopolitical environment, including a steady rise in the share of electric vehicle deliveries," the company said in its release announcing the change. Mr Cohen joined after Mercedes-Benz moved to an agency sales model in Australia for its Cars division, which resulted in a sales downturn. The agency move saw Mercedes-Benz take ownership of dealership stock, and remove the ability for customers and dealership staff to negotiate on prices – a change that saw dealers sue the brand over what it called inadequate compensation. The Federal Court ruled against the dealers, and this month dismissed an appeal made against its ruling. Deliveries of vehicles from Mercedes-Benz Cars fell from 28,348 in 2021 to 26,801 in 2022, before dropping again in 2023 to 24,315, and then 19,989 in 2024. But there's light at the end of the tunnel, it would appear, with deliveries in the first half of 2025 up 15.9 per cent on the same period last year to 11,146 in total – Mercedes-Benz's best first-half of a year since 2023. BMW is well ahead of Mercedes-Benz in terms of electric vehicles (EVs), however. To the end of June, BMW has delivered 3090 EVs so far this year, while Mercedes-Benz has delivered 1581 – a figure that also includes EVs from its Mercedes-Benz Vans division. Content originally sourced from: