The EQC was one of Mercedes-Benz's pioneering efforts to break into the global EV market, but it never crossed the Atlantic to the United States. Initially slated for a 2021 release, this crossover faced delay after delay. Eventually, the three-pointed star decided to scrap the US launch entirely, citing a "comprehensive review of market developments." Now, it turns out that the EQC has been quietly discontinued worldwide for some time.

Jan Weber, International EQ-Product Communications at Mercedes, confirmed that the EQC was discontinued in the second quarter of 2023. Yes, the last electric crossover rolled off the assembly line over a year ago. Business Insider reported on the EQC's impending demise in July 2022, predicting it would end production in May 2023, but Mercedes never made an official announcement. We're only just getting the confirmation now.

While the EQC is no more, the name is set to make a comeback on an entirely new EV. This new model aims to take on the Tesla Model 3, armed with insights from the sleek Vision EQXX concept. It’s expected to be about the size of a CLA or C-Class Sedan and will be built on the Modular Mercedes Architecture (MMA). However, much like the old EQC shared its underpinnings with combustion cars, the MMA won't be a dedicated electric platform either.

Christoph Starzynski, Mercedes-Benz's vice president of electric drive development, told us in 2022 that the compromise would be on the internal combustion engine (ICE) side. In other words, the architecture is primarily intended for EVs, with some concessions made for ICE vehicles. So much for the "Best or Nothing" mantra, right?

Unlike today’s EQ cars, the upcoming EQC (name not confirmed) is expected to ditch the much-criticized bulbous shape. To get a sense of its fresh design, look no further than the Concept CLA-Class. We're expecting some of the Vision EQXX’s aerodynamic wizardry to influence this production car.

In its concept form, the swoopy CLA was touted as having 750 kilometers of range in the WLTP cycle. However, we reckon that an equivalent EPA figure would be lower. The more affordable versions are expected to feature lithium-ion phosphate batteries, while the pricier ones will use silicon-oxide anodes for higher energy density and more range. Although Mercedes never revealed the battery pack’s size, the concept likely had a usable capacity of around 89.6 kWh. That’s based on the quoted range and an energy consumption of 8.4 kilometers per kilowatt-hour.

The EQC will also face off against a 3 Series Sedan-esque EV, confirmed for a 2026 launch. The BMW model will ride on a dedicated electric car platform, as the Neue Klasse won't be used for gasoline vehicles. A future Audi A4 EV, due later this decade, will also have a bespoke electric car platform.

The Mercedes sedan will be one of four initial models on the MMA platform, alongside a pair of crossovers and a wagon. These newcomers are likely replacements for the current-generation GLA, GLB, and CLA Shooting Brake. And let’s not forget the fully electric "Little G" planned to slot below the iconic G-Class, which has also gone electric.