Mercedes-Benz reportedly killing off wagons by 2030

Mercedes-Benz will reportedly end production of all traditional wagon models to focus on SUVs by 2030.

That’s the word out of Europe, where a report by Automotive News’ German affiliate Automobilwoche on the weekend cited “not enough demand for the station wagon… in the mega-markets of the USA and China” as the reason.

Passenger wagons, or Estates in Mercedes-speak, have for decades been a staple diet for the European market, in which Audi Avant and BMW Touring models have long been strong sellers.

However, the repercussions back home in Australia will be almost non-existent, where the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate and E-Class Estate have already been axed.

And when the all-new W206-generation C-Class lands Down Under in March after several semi-conductor and other COVID-19 related delays, the once top-selling mid-size passenger model will initially only be offered sedan guise, followed by two-door coupe and cabriolet body styles.

While Mercedes-Benz now has a 10-strong range of SUVs including two EVs – comprising the GLA, EQA, GLB, GLC (its top-seller), GLC Coupe, EQC, GLE, GLE Coupe, GLS and G-Class – the E-Class All-Terrain crossover has been discontinued and the new C-Class All-Terrain will only be sold in Europe.

That leaves Aussies with only a few mid-size wagon options from prestige brands, including the Audi A4 Avant, BMW 3 Series Touring and Volvo V60 Cross Country.

And while the Volkswagen Passat sedan has been killed off, the wagon version of the long-running German nameplate will continue alongside the Skoda Octavia wagon as a more affordable European wagon option.

Indeed, the culling of Merc’s wagons will be a more significant loss in other markets, where the CLA-Class Shooting Brake (not sold in Australia) is set to disappear from the line-up from 2025, according to the report.

Before then, however, when the German brand’s larger new E-Class arrives in a year or so, it will be offered with a host of electrified powertrain options – but not a wagon derivative for the first time.

Mercedes-Benz COO Markus Schafer has previously spoken of dwindling demand for traditional wagons and the brand’s renewed focus on electric vehicles, and the Automobilwoche report suggested the luxury car-maker may consider other options for European wagon-lovers, such as high-riding electrified sedans.