--- title: "Mercedes Dealers Struggling to Sell EVs, Complain EQS Isn’t ‘Aspirational’ Enough" description: "As EV sales slow down, Mercedes-Benz dealers say the problem is a low supply of the cheaper models buyers actually want." date: "2023-10-20" modified: "2023-10-20" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/mercedes-dealers-struggling-to-sell-evs-complain-eqs-isnt-aspirational-enough" categories: - "Car Tech" - "Electric Vehicles" - "Mercedes-Benz News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Electric Vehicle" - "EQS" - "EQS SUV" - "luxury" - "Mercedes-Benz" - "sedan" - "suv/crossover" --- # Mercedes Dealers Struggling to Sell EVs, Complain EQS Isn’t ‘Aspirational’ Enough ![]() *\Mercedes-Benz\* [Mercedes-Benz](), like so many automotive brands, has ambitions to go all-electric in the coming decades. That begins with the few EVs it offers on its dealer's lots today, yet those very dealers appear to be finding it challenging to move product and get shoppers into its high-end EQ-branded models. What's more, they're starting to complain anonymously to the press about how Mercedes is botching its electrification rollout with cars that just aren't "aspirational" enough. Not great! The problem is complex, according to personnel from various dealers interviewed by *[Automotive News]()*, whose identities were withheld due to "fear of retaliation." One representative from a store said that there's been "almost no \[lease\] support," despite the premium the brand's priciest EVs command. Another said that Mercedes has prioritized keeping the range-topping, $105,000 [EQS sedan]() and [SUV]() well-stocked, at the expense of the relatively affordable [EQB]() and [EQE]() that have been more popular with buyers. "Our cars need to be 'want' cars," a dealer told *Automotive News*. "The S-Class has maintained good loyalty because it's aspirational. An EQS is not something that most people aspire to own." To that, Dimitris Psillakis, the company's U.S. chief, said that supply-side holdups have kept the company from "getting the volume we want when we want it," especially for the lower-priced models. Last week, [Mercedes reported]() third-quarter sales of 10,423 EVs out of 90,011 total cars, and 7,727 of those were represented by the EQB and EQE. ![]() *Dealers say they've had an easier time moving the entry-level EQB SUV, seen here, which starts at $53,900. Mercedes-Benz* No matter the cause, the current situation hasn't led to a rosy picture for the commercial outlook on Merc's pricier all-electric models. One source interviewed by *Auto News* estimated that while they had roughly a 50-day supply of internal-combustion engine-powered cars in their inventory, that figure looked more like six months for battery-electrics. Another reported a roughly 20-day supply for gas cars, compared to a 60-to-90-day supply of EVs. Despite that, one retailer said about 65 percent of cars allocated to their dealership these days wear EQ badges. Some have taken it into their own hands to tack on discounts and promotions to the Silver Arrows' EVs, but that solution's hardly been a tenable one for many franchisees. All that's contributed to the reality that has seen Mercedes' electric models take more than twice as long to turn over compared to those of one of its foremost competitors. According to *Edmunds*, EQ models typically spend about 82 days on the lot, versus 38 days for BMW's EVs. Reading between the lines, the conclusion appears to be that the EQS—a sedan our own Peter Holderith not so affectionately [compared to a wireless computer mouse]()—isn't drawing buyers, and could use some help selling itself. If it's any consolation to Mercedes-Benz, [it doesn't seem to be alone]() at the moment. *Got a tip? Send us a note: tips@thedrive.com. Anonymity guaranteed.* ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()