Mercedes Revising Entire Model Naming Structure

2015 Mercedes Benz Coupe SUV Concept (Credit: © Mercedes Benz)

Do you have the C-Class, CLA-Class, G-Class, SL-Class, SLK-Class, E-Class, S-Class, etc. all straight in your head? Starting next year you’re going to have to learn a whole new model naming structure for the Mercedes-Benz lineup, because the automaker has decided to do what Infiniti has already undertaken (although it would be offended at such an association) and streamline its entire model nomenclature so it makes more sense.

The first model that will be given a new name is the M-Class, which when it is given a refresh for 2015 will be called the GLE. There will be a GLE Coupe that will launch as well, which is based on the Concept Coupe SUV.

While Mercedes-Benz hasn’t confirmed the news, it has been vetted by several resources, including Car and Driver, so it likely is true. Some are characterizing the move as similar to when Audi reworked its entire model nomenclature in the 1990s, but bringing up Infiniti is just so much more pertinent right now.

2015 Mercedes Benz Coupe SUV Concept (Credit: © Mercedes Benz)

While not all of the details of the new Mercedes-Benz naming structure are available, so far it’s known that there will be car models that go by the names GLA, GLC and GLE. Those, of course, would be the CLA-,C-, and E-Class, respectively.

While some automotive enthusiasts might start bemoaning having to relearn the names of the entire Mercedes-Benz model lineup (which seems to be growing overnight), the fact is that many average car shoppers find the current naming system to be incredibly confusing. Such confusion can cause frustration and car shoppers paying more attention to other brands, which is likely at least part of the reason the company is moving forward with the change.