Mercedes-Benz EQA, EQB open for pre-order in China, prices start at around $58,000

The Mercedes-Benz EQC registered 3,472 units in China from January to July, compared to 49,155 units for the Nio in the same period.

(Photo credit: Mercedes-Benz)

Mercedes-Benz's EQA and EQB, all-electric SUVs, are available for pre-order in China starting today, signaling that the German luxury brand is ramping up its efforts in the world's largest auto market.

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The company is offering the EQA 300 4MATIC and EQB 350 4MATIC models, with pre-sale prices of RMB 370,000 ($58,000) and RMB 440,000, respectively.

They are based on the Mercedes-Benz fuel SUVs GLA and GLB, respectively, with the EQB featuring AMG-style sport components, including multifunctional sports steering wheel, sport seats, and AMG footrests.

With dimensions of 4,463*1,834*1,624mm and a wheelbase of 2,829mm, the EQA is smaller than Nio's best-selling ES6, which measures 4,850*1,965*1,758/1,731mm and has a wheelbase of 2,900mm.

The EQA is equipped with dual front and rear motors, with the front motor producing a maximum of 150kW and the rear motor a maximum of 70kW. Mercedes-Benz has not announced the model's 0-100km acceleration performance.

It is powered by a 73.5kWh battery pack and has a CLTC range of 537km. It supports fast charging, replenishing from 10 percent to 80 percent in 45 minutes.

The EQB is equipped with dual front and rear motors with a maximum power of 215kW, peak torque of 521N-m and 0-100km acceleration time of 6.3 seconds.

It has a battery pack capacity of 66.5kWh and a CLTC range of 512km.

Both models are equipped with high-speed following, lane change assist, lane-keeping, active braking, and smart parking.

Consumers who pay an RMB 99 intent deposit now can get a free Smart Charging Wall Box or an RMB 5,000 charging credit at select public charging stations for 1 year. They can also get 3 free one-touch power-ups in 1 year.

It is worth noting that despite the popularity of Mercedes-Benz's traditional fuel vehicles in the premium market, it has had a weak performance in the Chinese EV market.

The company announced the launch of the China-made EQC as its first locally produced electric vehicle on November 8 last year, with a starting price of RMB 579,800.

Earlier this year, Mercedes said the EQA and EQB will go into production in Beijing this year, as will the EQE, by which time it will have four all-electric models in the Chinese market.

Previously available data shows that the Mercedes-Benz EQC had 3,472 insurance registrations in China from January to July.

In comparison, Nio had 49,155 insurance registrations from January to July this year, more than the combined insurance registrations of Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi pure-electric models in China in the period.

In the RMB 350,000 - RMB 550,000 range, Nio's market share in the first seven months was about 43 percent.