At Mercedes-Benz even the names of the vehicles follow an intelligent system. Ever since the automobile was first invented this naming system has been continuously developed and was last based on the size of the displacement.

Now the vehicle designations are linked to the overall vehicle performance. The changeover is a result of the significant expansion in the product range and the introduction of innovative technologies. Using this new approach it is now possible to consistently name models with a purely electric drive which have no combustion engine and no displacement. The new names are being implemented from October 2008 until the end of 2009. During this transition names from both the old and the new nomenclature systems may be used concurrently.

The basic principle of the Mercedes-Benz model designations remains intact: the higher the number for the model designation, the higher the overall vehicle performance. The vehicle class can also still be recognised from the letter at the front of the name. In future the model nomenclature will also include an add-on which indicates the type of technology used.