Mercedes, Porsche open EV-only sales outlets in Japan

Mercedes-Benz and Porsche are setting up sales outlets exclusively for electric vehicles in Japan, hoping to take the lead in establishing sales systems at a time when Japanese automakers’ EV lineups remain limited.

The German carmaker opened its first EV-only outlet in Yokohama’s Kanagawa Ward in December, called Mercedes-EQ Yokohama, which features five EV demo cars three EV chargers, and seven “EQ experts.”

Mercedes-Benz, whose goal is to sell only EVs as new cars in 2030, is moving quickly to put new EV models in the Japanese market. Last year, it released three EV models, including an SUV, to bring its total number of available models to five.

The automaker plans to add two more models to its EV lineup later this year.

Porsche Japan KK, the local arm of the German luxury automaker, opened its first Porsche Studio as a sales base for EVs in Tokyo’s Nihonbashi district in April.

To woo customers, the outlet exhibits a sample of the Taycan family-friendly luxury EV.

The automaker opened its second Porsche Studio in Japan in the capital’s Ginza district in August and plans to set up similar outlets outside Tokyo.

Japanese automakers have not only failed to release ample lineups of EVs, but they also have yet to set up outlets specializing in the vehicles.