Mercedes’ EQ EVs Are Back in US Dealerships, Game-Changing New Electric CLA Now Available

Mercedes-Benz has resumed U.S. orders for its EQ lineup after an approximately six-month pause, with vehicles once again appearing at dealerships nationwide. At the same time, the new electric CLA is beginning to reach the U.S. market.

In July, Mercedes abruptly halted new EQ orders in the United States, citing “market conditions.” The move raised eyebrows, as it coincided with what became a record quarter for U.S. EV sales, driven in part by consumers accelerating purchases ahead of the government cut of the EV tax credit for up to $7,500. In retrospect, demand at the time was strong, while subsequent quarters were more likely to feel the effects of that pull-forward in sales.

That said, Mercedes correctly anticipated broader market disruption stemming from shifting and unpredictable tariff policy. Many Mercedes buyers also did not qualify for federal EV tax credits, except through leasing structures, further complicating demand dynamics. With conditions now appearing more stable, the company has moved to reopen the order books.

Updated 2026 EQ models have quietly returned to U.S. dealer inventories, signaling a full restart of availability. In a statement, Mercedes-Benz USA said it “temporarily adjusted U.S. EQ order availability last summer to align with U.S. market demand,” adding that it continuously optimizes its production network to respond to changing conditions.

Mercedes builds the EQE Sedan, EQE SUV, EQS Sedan, and EQS SUV at its Alabama plant. While U.S. orders were paused, production continued for export markets. For the 2026 model year, the EQE models receive increased horsepower and quicker 0–60 times, and all EQ vehicles now include a NACS adapter for access to Tesla Superchargers.

The restart comes as Mercedes launches what it has described as its largest product offensive ever. That push includes the electric CLA, which has performed well overseas and is now arriving at U.S. dealerships, with deliveries expected to scale through the current quarter.

Mercedes Challenges Tesla With New CLA Offering Up to 492 Miles of Range

Mercedes-Benz has made one of its most aggressive moves yet in the electric vehicle market with the debut of the all-new electric CLA, a compact luxury sedan designed to compete directly with Tesla and attract a new generation of EV buyers. Reinvented from the ground up, the CLA represents a clean-sheet rethink of Mercedes’ compact sedan, combining long range, fast charging, and advanced software in a more attainable luxury package.

Unveiled on March 13, 2025, the new CLA retains only its name from previous generations. Mercedes engineers set out to create the most intelligent and energy-efficient vehicle the brand has ever developed, abandoning legacy design constraints in favor of a fully electric-first approach.

The result is a compact sedan capable of traveling up to 792 kilometers (492 miles) on a single charge under European testing standards, making it the longest-range EV currently offered in Europe. The CLA’s range places it squarely against Tesla’s top-performing models, while adding traditional Mercedes luxury and refinement.

Fast-charging capability is another key differentiator. In just 10 minutes at a high-power DC fast charger, the CLA can recover up to 325 kilometers (202 miles) of range, addressing one of the most persistent concerns among prospective EV buyers. Mercedes expects pricing to land near the Tesla Model 3, positioning the CLA as a compelling alternative for customers seeking premium design and technology without a significant price premium.

Unlike earlier EQ models that struggled to resonate with traditional luxury buyers, the CLA Electric is clearly aimed at younger, tech-savvy consumers. Its aggressive styling, digital-first interior, and software-driven features reflect a deliberate shift in strategy.

At the center of that shift is MB.OS, Mercedes’ new in-house operating system, which enables deep integration across vehicle systems and supports continuous over-the-air updates. Built on the new Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA), the CLA also benefits from a next-generation electrical platform designed for higher efficiency, faster computing, and long-term adaptability.

Luxury touches remain central to the experience, including a standard panoramic glass roof, front trunk storage, and an advanced infotainment system powered by a liquid-cooled processor capable of 254 trillion operations per second. Together, these elements underscore Mercedes-Benz’s intent to make the CLA Electric not just another EV, but a cornerstone of its long-term electric strategy.

EVinfo.net’s Take: Try a Mercedes EV Test Drive Today

As Tesla continues its sharp decline under a bad CEO, Mercedes is poised to grab more EV market share. Tesla’s electric vehicle sales fell 9% in 2025 from 2024, a second straight annual drop.

Tariffs are not just making vehicles more expensive, but killing the USA’s jobs as well. 2025 was the worst year for hiring since 2020, a December 2025 jobs report shows.

The government cut of the EV tax credit for up to $7,500 was foolish, foolish, foolish. This has already increased costs for drivers, and created more health-harming and planet-harming pollution. We must demand better political leaders.

Try a Mercedes test drive today.