Mercedes E-Class Remains A Segment Leader In 2023
The E-Class continues its long-standing success story even today
Mercedes-Benz has produced more than 16 million upper mid-range vehicles since 1946. The heritage of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class goes back to the very early days of the brand.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the preceding companies from which Mercedes-Benz emerged brought corresponding vehicles to market.
When operations recommenced after the Second World War, the Model 170 V (W 136) originally introduced in 1936 went back into production. In 1947 the Saloon followed as the first post-war passenger car from Mercedes-Benz.
Success story: Mercedes-Benz coupés of the upper mid-range series. Left to right: “Stroke Eight” coupé of the 114 model series, coupé of the 123 model series and coupé of the 124 model series (from the 1993 E-Class coupé). Photo from 1987.
Meanwhile, the 180 model (W 120) of 1953 with self-supporting “Ponton” body introduced new technical as well as formal features. In 1961, the four-cylinder versions of the “Tailfin” series (W 110) followed.
Then in 1968, the upper medium class of the “Stroke/8” series (W 114/115) signified the next major step. The succeeding 123 model series from 1976 proved even more successful.
In fact, the most popular E-Class model to date was the W123 and at the time it wasn’t even called ‘E-Class’ yet.
We feel that the W123 was perhaps the model that earned the brand its reputation for durability and quality. It should be noted that this model was not really called the ‘E-Class’ back then.
Mercedes-Benz CLK 320 CDI Cabriolet (A 209), AVANTGARDE design and equipment line. Photo from 2004.
So, the E-Class name only came during the production run of the W124 (the W123’s successor). Back when the W123 was in production, the ‘E’ in its name referred to ‘fuel injection’ (einspritzung) in petrol engines.
There were just as many ‘D’ models with diesel engines sold, meaning this product line could have ended up being called the D-Class had the rebranding exercise gone a different direction.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet, E 500 with AMG sports package
The 124 model series produced from 1984 to 1995 bore the name E-Class for the first time from mid-1993. The “twin-headlamp” face and innovative technology were the characteristic features of the 210 model series launched in 1995.
The E-Class of model series 211 was launched in early 2002. The E-Class 212 (Saloon and Estate) and 207 (Cabriolet and Coupé) model series followed in 2009. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class model series 213 had its debut in 2016, and from 2017 for the first time also as an All-Terrain.
Mercedes-Benz CLK 230 Kompressor Cabriolet (A 208). Photograph from 1997.
Point To Note: Deliveries to customers in the Core Luxury segment reached 1,101,800 units (+4%). Once again, the GLC was the best-selling Mercedes-Benz model with 342,900 units (+3%) in 2022. With its successor model, launched in mid of 2022, Mercedes-Benz aims to continue this success story. The C-Class saw deliveries rise 17% to 299,100 cars.
The all-electric EQE is now available in all regions and has been delivered 12,600 times in 2022. The recently introduced EQE SUV can now be ordered throughout Europe. China and U.S. will follow in the first half of 2023. The Core Luxury segment will be further enhanced by the brand-new E-Class which will celebrate its world premiere in 2023.
