Electric Mercedes GLC with problems. Only 3,300 units sold compared to 32,000 gasoline GLC models.

The Mercedes GLC EQ Tech, the electric version of the Mercedes GLC, is being delivered at a snail’s pace, noted [via paywall] the German newspaper Handelsblatt. This isn’t due to low demand for the vehicle, as the gasoline-powered GLC is currently a best-seller and more people are wanting to buy electric cars. It turns out that cost savings in the supply chain are affecting Mercedes, preventing the company from producing the model fast enough, despite claiming to have increased production speeds at the same time.

The Mercedes GLC EQ is currently struggling

By the end of May this year, only 3,300 units of the electric Mercedes GLC were delivered in Europe, accounting for just 10.3 percent of the GLC’s (32,000 units) sales volume during the same period. This is also 21 percent of what its main competitor, the BMW iX3 (15,471 units delivered just two weeks later), managed to sell. Orders for the GLC EQ Tech have been fully met, with all production allocated through the second half of 2026. Additionally, in some regions, up to 50 percent of customers are coming to dealerships specifically for electric vehicles, compared to “only” 20 percent just a few months ago. So what’s driving this trend?

The Mercedes GLC EQ Tech production line in Bremen. Compare the paint color with the image below

The diesel and electric versions of the Mercedes GLC are produced at the same facility in Bremen, Germany. However, only the electric version is facing issues. Hungary’s new government has ordered the halt of production at CATL’s Hungarian plant due to violations of environmental regulations. As a result, the lithium-ion batteries must be shipped from China to Germany, delaying the entire process by six weeks. Additionally, the sole supplier of wiring components, Kromberg & Schubert, is dealing with the aftermath of floods in Morocco.

The waiting time for the electric GLC is currently six months, which is not an excessively long period, although it is known that faster delivery can lead to better sales. Additionally, Mercedes claims the issue has already been resolved. But the current situation is not due to “bad luck” but rather the result of the manufacturer’s well-thought-out strategy. Securing strategic supply through more than one company is considered too costly, as the firm aims to cut production costs by 10 percent and material costs by 8 percent by 2027.

The Mercedes GLC, as we mentioned, is the best-selling model in the entire Mercedes lineup. The electric version would have a chance to attract customers interested in this specific car if it were available.

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