Mercedes Tweaks Its Model Naming Protocol

Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz Cars unit plans to "simplify" its model nomenclature between now and 2020 in hopes of making it easier for consumers to sort out the company's expanding array of models. The process will begin next year.

The basic model series letters A, B, C, E and S will continue to indicate vehicle size and position in the product lineup. They will be paired more consistently with other letters that signify body style and type of power source.

The renaming process will begin in 2015 with Mercedes' SUVs and crossovers. All model names will begin with GL (except the top-of-the-line G, which is unchanged). Thus the smallest crossover will become the GLA and will be followed by the increasingly larger GLC, GLE (formerly M-Class) and GLS models.

For sedan names, Mercedes will use CL, followed by a letter that links them to their core model: CLA, CLC, CLE and CLS.

Roadster names will begin with SL, followed by their core model letter. Thus the current SLK will become the SLC. The name of the top-end SL roadster will remain unchanged.

Finally, Mercedes will use a lowercase letter to denote non-gasoline power sources: c for compressed natural gas, d for diesel, e for electric, f for fuel cell and h for hybrid.