Mercedes’ Electric G Flops So Hard It Could Change What Comes Next

It turns out not every icon translates easily to electric power, no matter how much fanfare is involved. Mercedes made a big song and dance about the iconic G-Class going electric, but would-be buyers don’t want to hear it. Sales are so bad the automaker is considering adapting its planned EV-only baby G-Class to work with combustion power to avert disaster, according to a new report out of Germany.

Related: Mercedes Teases Baby G-Class, Electric E-Class, And More, V8 And V12 Live On

The all-electric G580 with EQ Technology was introduced last April, but things haven’t exactly gone to plan. Handelsblatt reports that sales have been dismal in the year since its debut. “The car is sitting like lead at dealers; it’s a complete flop,” one Mercedes executive told the publication. Another internal source added, “It’s a niche model; production numbers are very low.”

The report claims that the terrifyingly pricey ($161,500 in the US) EV had found only 1,450 European buyers by the end of this April based on Dataforce and Marklines figures, 61 in South Korea and just 58 in electric-loving China. The report even suggests Mercedes had failed to sell a single example in the US, which sounds dubious and is something we’ve asked MB USA to check.

Gas G-Class Still Dominates

While the electric G stalls, its combustion counterpart is doing brisk business. The also expensive ICE SUV outsells its electric brother seven to one, Handlesblatt says. And unlike the EQS and EQE, the G EV’s poor showing can’t be blamed on boring design because it looks almost exactly the same as the in-demand combustion model. So what gives?

One possible criticism is that unlike traditional EVs, which have a long wheelbase, flat floor and tons of interior space as a result, the G-Class EQ mirrors the dimensions and roominess of the ICE model. And what it does have a lot more of – weight – means it’s far less useful as a tow vehicle than the petrol G-Class and has a pathetic 239 miles (385 km) of EPA range.

Luxury buyers also remain unconvinced about the merits of electric power, preferring the traditional luxury and status that comes with a big, powerful petrol engine – though the G550 downgraded from a V8 to an inline six for the latest generation.

Mercedes had already confirmed earlier this year in response to slow EV sales that it would invest more in ICE technology while still introducing new EVs. One of those EVs is the upcoming baby G-Class, but Handelsblatt’s sources at Mercedes now say the automaker is seriously considering adapting the SUV to take a combustion  – or more likely, hybrid – powertrain.

Also: This Not-So-Serious Fake G-Class Sold For Seriously Real Money

This switch is apparently still possible late in the game because the the mini G is built on the company’s MMA architecture found under the new CLA in both electric and combustion forms, the report says. This contradicts earlier rumors swirling around the web suggesting Mercedes would use a different platform.