Mercedes brings new EQA, EQB to Korea with reduced range, more features, same price

Mercedes-Benz introduced partially revamped EQA and EQB SUVs in the Korean market with reduced ranges per charge but the same sticker prices.

Mercedes-Benz Korea CEO Mathias Vaitl, right, and Kilian Thelen, vice president of product, marketing, and digital business pose with the latest EQA after a press event in central Seoul on Tuesday. [MERCEDES-BENZ KOREA]

Mercedes-Benz introduced partially revamped EQA and EQB SUVs in the Korean market with reduced ranges per charge but the same sticker prices.

It's the first revamp for the EQA in three years and the EQB in two years. The two compact electric SUVs account for around 41 percent of Mercedes' total sales in Korea.

Mercedes-Benz Korea CEO Mathias Vaitl introduces the company's latest EQA and EQB during a press event on Tuesday. [MERCEDES-BENZ KOREA]

The vehicles got a fresh facelift with a black panel radiator grille with a three-pointed star pattern. The latest steering wheel is equipped with touch control panels, enhancing operational convenience.

Powered by a 65.9-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, the EQA can run 367 kilometers (228 miles) per single charge, according to Korea's Environment Ministry certification. That's slightly down from the predecessor's 378 kilometers.

The new EQB can run up to 302 kilometers on a single charge, also down from the previous 313 kilometers.

"The official range has been cut due to various certification factors in Korea, but the foundation of the car has made no changes, including batteries," said Kilian Thelen, vice president of product, marketing and digital business at Mercedes-Benz Korea, during a press event Tuesday.

"We froze the price as well despite many new features installed, such as driving assistance packages."

Mercedes said the vehicles come with improved sensors and camera technology, augmented reality navigation for intuitive guidance and a 360-degree camera for convenient and safe parking.

Both models can be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent in 30 minutes.

“The new EQA and EQB, which have significantly contributed to the growth of Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles, have returned as more attractive entry-level electric cars with enhanced design, driving efficiency and convenience features.” Thelen added. “We expect these models to meet the high standards of our Korean customers and solidify our brand’s position in the electric vehicle market.”

The sticker price of the EQA starts at 67.9 million won ($50,000), while the EQB starts at 76.6 million won. Mercedes is still discussing the EV tax credits with the Korean government.

Customer delivery will start in June.

Mercedes sold a total of 9,182 EVs in Korea last year including 1,700 EQAs and 2,065 EQBs, according to data from market tracker CarIsYou.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]