BYD Replaces Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Becomes Germany's Latest Taxi!

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class, C-Class, and B-Class taxi versions have been declared out of production, only van models remain supplied, bringing a structural change to the German taxi industry.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan was once a symbol of German taxis. The line of beige taxis at the arrivals entrance of Frankfurt Airport left a deep impression on tourists visiting Germany for the first time. A high-end luxury brand like Mercedes-Benz engaging in taxi operations is also a major feature.

But Mercedes decided not to launch the current W214 generation E-Class taxi version anymore, forcing the German taxi industry to seek new models. In addition, Mercedes B-Class and C-Class taxi models have also ceased production simultaneously.

At the same time, German local government regulations impose hard constraints. The major German city of Hamburg explicitly stipulates that starting from January 1, 2025, newly registered rental vehicles and taxis must be zero-emission and pollution-free models.

Under policy pressure, the German taxi industry, which urgently needs to open new vehicle procurement channels, welcomed the olive branch extended by Chinese automaker BYD.

BYD, officially entering the German taxi market, is actively laying out plans to seize the taxi and rental car market vacancies left after Mercedes exits. BYD first reached cooperation with local professional taxi modification enterprises. Partner manufacturers will modify BYD models into compliant rental/taxi vehicles: complete body color change film, install meters, add roof advertising boards, equip emergency alarm systems, and complete adaptation according to local regulations; interior trim is also replaced with dirt-resistant and easy-to-clean plastic materials.

BYD keeps about 100 modified taxis in stock as inventory to minimize downtime caused by vehicle accidents or repairs.

BYD offers multiple models selectable for taxi and rental companies based on operating areas and uses, including plug-in hybrid model Seal 6 DM-i Touring, pure electric models Sealion 7 (Sealion 7), Yuan PLUS (Atto 3), etc.

In the future on German streets, Mercedes-Benz E-Class taxis will become increasingly rare, and the market gap will be gradually filled by Volkswagen brand hybrid and pure electric models.

Germany is not BYD's first overseas market for developing the taxi industry. BYD has successively expanded operations in many places including Mexico, Colombia, Chile, the Philippines, Thailand, the UAE, and India; South Korea also has a large number of BYD electric buses put into operation.