Mercedes-Benz

===Electric cars===
Mercedes opened its sixth battery factory in 2018. Critics deemed the marque's EQS sedan a tough competitor to [[Tesla, Inc.|Tesla, Inc]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Denton|first=Jack|title=This new 'Tesla fighter' from Mercedes beats out the Model S on two key measures, UBS says|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-new-tesla-fighter-from-mercedes-beats-out-the-model-s-on-two-key-measures-ubs-says-11625052287|access-date=2021-10-08|website=MarketWatch|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2017-12-07|title=Mercedes is quietly becoming Tesla's biggest rival {{!}} TBF|url=https://the-business-factory.com/mercedes-is-quietly-becoming-teslas-biggest-rival/|access-date=2021-10-08|website=The Business Factory}}</ref> The six factories are established across three continents.

[[File:Mercedes-Benz EQC, Paris Motor Show 2018, IMG 0599.jpg|thumb|Mercedes-Benz EQC]]
The brand has also launched its electric EQ brand with the [[Mercedes-Benz EQC|EQC]] SUV which was set for production in the year 2019. In September 2018, Mercedes unveiled the EQC, its first fully electric car, at an event in Stockholm.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-germany-daimler-mercedes/mercedes-unveils-electric-car-in-direct-german-challenge-to-tesla-idUSKCN1LK26G|title=Mercedes unveils electric car in direct German challenge to Tesla|last=Vaish|first=Esha|work=U.S.|access-date=5 September 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=4 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904211234/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-germany-daimler-mercedes/mercedes-unveils-electric-car-in-direct-german-challenge-to-tesla-idUSKCN1LK26G|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/gunning-for-the-top-spot-mercedes-benz-unveils-its-first-fully-electric-car-in-direct-challenge-to-tesla/articleshow/65683615.cms|title=Gunning for the top spot: Mercedes-Benz unveils its first fully-electric car in direct challenge to Tesla|date=5 September 2018|work=The Economic Times|access-date=5 September 2018|archive-date=5 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905175604/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/gunning-for-the-top-spot-mercedes-benz-unveils-its-first-fully-electric-car-in-direct-challenge-to-tesla/articleshow/65683615.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>

Mercedes unveiled the VISION AVTR at the 2020 [[Consumer Electronics Show]] in Las Vegas.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-21 |title=Mercedes-Benz VISION AVTR: Is it ready for streets? (Video) – Technology Org |url=https://www.technology.org/2022/01/21/mercedes-benz-vision-avtr/ |access-date=2022-12-18 |website=www.technology.org |language=en-US}}</ref> The car was inspired by the 2009 science fiction film [[Avatar (2009 film)|Avatar]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vaughn |first=Mark |date=2022-12-13 |title=We Drive the Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR Concept Car from Avatar |url=https://www.autoweek.com/news/future-cars/a42211554/we-drive-the-mercedes-benz-vision-avtr-concept-car-from-avatar/ |access-date=2022-12-18 |website=Autoweek |language=en-US}}</ref> Whilst the AVTR is a concept car, it is said to "hold clues on features bound for next-generation Mercedes-Benz cars".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-13 |title=Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR Concept Driven: Electric Luxury Fit for Giant Blue Aliens |url=https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/mercedes-benz-vision-avtr-first-drive-review/ |access-date=2022-12-18 |website=MotorTrend |language=en}}</ref>

2022 will be the year in which Daimler has said that the company will have invested $11 billion to ensure that every Mercedes-Benz has a fully electric or hybrid version available on the market.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/mercedes-reveals-plans-to-dominate-ev-market-2018-1|title=Mercedes just revealed how it plans to conquer electric cars — and Tesla should be nervous|work=Business Insider|access-date=31 January 2018|language=en|archive-date=31 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131000017/http://www.businessinsider.com/mercedes-reveals-plans-to-dominate-ev-market-2018-1|url-status=live}}</ref>

While releasing details of the project, Markus Schäfer said,

''"Our electric vehicles will be built in six plants on three continents. We address every market segment: from the smart fortwo seater to the large SUV. The battery is the key component of e-mobility. As batteries are the heart of our electric vehicles we put a great emphasis on building them in our own factories. With our global battery network, we are in an excellent position: As we are close to our vehicle plants we can ensure the optimal supply of production. In case of a short-term high demand in another part of the world our battery factories are also well prepared for export. The electric initiative of Mercedes-Benz Cars is right on track. Our global production network is ready for e-mobility. We are electrifying the future."''<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://electrek.co/2018/01/29/mercedes-benz-electric-vehicle-production-global-battery-network/|title=Mercedes-Benz unveils aggressive electric vehicle production plan, 6 factories and a 'global battery network'|date=29 January 2018|work=[[Electrek]]|access-date=31 January 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=30 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130161718/https://electrek.co/2018/01/29/mercedes-benz-electric-vehicle-production-global-battery-network/|url-status=live}}</ref> After [[Audi]] declared that it would cut more than 9,000 jobs by 2025, the [[Daimler AG|owner of Mercedes-Benz]] announced that the company will shed around 10,000 jobs worldwide to focus on electric cars.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-50598673|title=Mercedes owner to cut 10,000 jobs worldwide|date=29 November 2019|access-date=1 December 2019|language=en-GB|archive-date=30 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130161759/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-50598673|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2021, Mercedes-Benz revealed its new electric SUV, the EQA, which will have a range of 426 kilometres and will be on sale in Europe starting 4 February.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Carey|first=Nick|date=2021-01-20|title=Mercedes unveils electric compact SUV in bid to outdo Tesla|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-autos-daimler-electric-idUSKBN29P19N|access-date=2021-01-20|archive-date=20 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120120946/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-autos-daimler-electric-idUSKBN29P19N|url-status=live}}</ref>