It looks like the days might be numbered for the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé and GLE Coupé as the German giant continues to streamline its line-up. The word from Stuttgart is that these coupé-SUVs are right at the top of the list for cuts, as Mercedes reshapes its offerings and drives full throttle into an electric future.

This move would follow the culling of several other models that have already met their end most notably the C-Class Coupé, S-Class Coupé, the once-sleek CLS, and even the X-Class pick-up. All victims of a broader strategy to clear the way for more electrification.

The GLC Coupé, introduced just last year and known internally as the C254, has only just begun its seven-year run, while the recently refreshed GLE Coupé (C169) has been on the market since 2019. But despite their relative newness, Mercedes is evaluating every combustion-powered model in its portfolio as part of a long-term review process. The aim? A line-up with far fewer derivatives and far more electrification.

Mercedes has already been playing this game of model musical chairs for a while. Initial plans suggested the A-Class hatchback and B-Class MPV would also be phased out by 2024. But in a twist, these models have been granted a stay of execution until 2026, after which they are expected to make their final bow.

Although officials remain coy on the exact fate of the GLC and GLE Coupé, one thing is clear Mercedes is making significant investments into its new electric models. With heavy R&D directed towards electric platforms, like the upcoming MMA (Mercedes Modular Architecture), the brand is looking to shift its line-up to better reflect the needs of the next generation.

Later this year, Mercedes will pull the covers off the first of four new models underpinned by the MMA platform. Leading the charge will be the third-generation CLA saloon, available in both electric and combustion variants. In 2025, the CLA Shooting Brake, EQA, and EQB successors will join the ranks.

It’s an exciting but bittersweet moment for fans of the combustion-engine era. As Mercedes steps on the accelerator towards an electric future, some well-loved models might soon find themselves in the rear-view mirror. One thing’s for certain, Mercedes is pushing hard to future-proof its line-up, and it’s making bold moves to stay ahead of the curve.