After an initial seating test in the battery-electric sedan Mercedes-Benz EQE at the IAA mobility show, the sister platform of Vision Mobility, taxi today, officially inquired with Mercedes-Benz Sales Germany (MBVD) in Berlin whether this model is supposed to replace the E-Class with its internal combustion engines. The taxi and rental car activities are also located there, with the E-Class series W 213 still playing the leading role.
This question was answered evasively by a press spokesperson with the introductory general remark that they are monitoring the market in the taxi and rental car business and responding to changes in its development and customer requirements. "In addition to the growing demand for locally emission-free drives, the need for suitable vehicles with flexible usage and space concepts has also increased, leading to a significant rise in the proportion of vans in the passenger transport sector (taxis, rental cars, shuttle services)," said the response. It refers to the battery-electric vans eVito Tourer and EQV, which are offered with taxi equipment.
The response was as follows:
“Within the scope of our experience and insights regarding urban development and customer needs, we are currently reviewing our strategy in the taxi business to continue to offer the taxi industry and customers the optimal offerings they are accustomed to in the future.”
However, they ask for understanding that this process will take some time and they do not wish to comment further at this time.
What does this mean?
Even if it is still sought after as a taxi in its second life in Southern Europe and good for a million kilometers, the E-Class with internal combustion engines could have a hard time in the future taxi portfolio of Mercedes-Benz.
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