Mercedes Cuts EQ Prices Ahead of U.S. Production Pause

by Chris Teague

Published: July 21st, 2025

mercedes cuts eq prices ahead of u s production pause

Mercedes-Benz is pausing production of its EQ-branded EVs for the American market, and some models got a big price cut ahead of the shutdown. The automaker recently confirmed that it would temporarily halt production of U.S.-bound EQE and EQS vehicles starting September 1, and the order banks for the cars have been closed.

A Mercedes sales manager in Ohio posted about the price drops on TikTok, saying that the 2026 EQS SUV would see a more than $15,000 price drop. The EQE SUV will drop by around $13,000, while the sedan’s price will fall by around $10,000. The EQS Sedan had the smallest price cut of around $5,000.

A spokesperson confirmed the shutdown, saying, “Vehicles scheduled for production prior to Sept. 1 will continue to be produced. This announcement applies only to U.S. vehicle orders of these models.” We don’t know how long the shutdown will last, but Mercedes builds the EQS and EQE SUVs at its Alabama factory, so American jobs could be impacted.

Mercedes’ EVs have never been a particularly hot sellers and they didn’t qualify for federal EV tax credits unless leased because of their high prices. Most expect a slowdown in EV demand as those credits fade away this year, and steep discounts don’t exactly fit with Mercedes’ image, so the EQ models could be due for an extended hiatus.

[Images: Mercedes-Benz]

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Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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11 of 20 comments

Ajla on Jul 21, 2025

These things are so rolly-polly in design it makes an '86 Taurus look like an '86 Town Car.

1 Reply
- See 7 previous
- 28-Cars-Later on Jul 21, 2025
  The aesthetics are pathetic but there's a much larger issue in play. Hoovie bought one of these and pointed out:
  The interior materials are chintzy.
  They didn't even paint the inside of the hood.
  The "upgraded" wheel covers are made of plastic.
  
  Bean-count the $100K "flagship"? This is straight out of the RenCen playbook.... but its Mercedes.
  2
- MaintenanceCosts on Jul 21, 2025
  
  For what it's worth, I've sat in an EQS, and did not feel the interior materials were chintzy at all.
  Have wheel covers ever not been made of plastic?
  
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- 28-Cars-Later on Jul 22, 2025
  
  Wheel covers used by EvilGM and Ford were some kind of pot metal when those were en vogue in the 1980s. No Mercedes stateside should be using a cheap wheel cover, its the height of "we have completely failed". Hoovie made some comment about the wheels being the "upgraded wheels" and seemed surprised when he was told they were plastic wheel covers on other wheels.
  
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- MaintenanceCosts on Jul 22, 2025
  
  Both the factory wheel covers and the second factory set (a different look) on my 1987 Taurus were plastic. I think you have to go back to the malaise era to find metal "hubcaps."
  Wheel covers are very common on EVs from all makers because wheel aerodynamics make a huge difference in range, and making wheels themselves with that level of coverage would make them very heavy. Every one I've been exposed to is plastic.
  
  1
- Ajla on Jul 22, 2025
  
  Couldn't they use a carbon polymer at least when it comes to stuff that is over $70k?
  
  Like
- MaintenanceCosts on Jul 22, 2025
  
  Another name for "carbon polymers" is "plastic."
  
  Like
- 28-Cars-Later on Jul 22, 2025
  
  In the video it appears the wheels underneath are aluminum or some other alloy, so instead of having two wheel designs for the model they apparently have one and put plastic covers over them for the "upgraded" wheels? AMG has always had its own wheels, but the EQ flagship north of 100K gets hub caps? Reeks of asshattery and L-A-Z-Y on the part of a so called luxury marque.
  
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- Ajla on Jul 22, 2025
  
  Another name for "carbon polymers" is "plastic."
  Correct. Just like how Tokyo Story and Kangaroo Jack are both "movies".
  I'm not familiar with the wheels on the EQS but if they are using a plastic more at home in a Toys'R'Us aisle that is weak on their part.
  
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SCE to AUX on Jul 21, 2025

Dud cars receive big discounts. Dodge Hornets are another example.

Like Reply
- Jkross22 on Jul 21, 2025
  
  Apparently Audi has taken over the spot of most lot anchors per brand from Stellantis.
  
  Like