Philipp Skogstad runs Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America - the Sunnyvale-to-San-Jose corridor of the company that invented the car. A Stanford-trained engineer who once managed open innovation programs at SAP, he now oversees an 830-person R&D operation that ships Drive Pilot (the only SAE-certified Level 3 system on US roads), the MBUX infotainment stack, and Mercedes' ChatGPT-in-the-dashboard experiment.
The Smart #1 is a battery-electric subcompact crossover SUV that marks the complete reinvention of the Smart brand. Developed as the first product of a 50:50 joint venture between Mercedes-Benz Group and Geely Holding, it swaps the iconic two-seater city car formula for a five-door family crossover built on Geely's SEA2 electric platform. With Mercedes designing the exterior and interior, and Geely handling engineering and production in China, the #1 delivers up to 440 km of WLTP range, a 12.8-inch touchscreen with AI voice assistant, and a 0-62 mph time as low as 3.9 seconds in the Brabus variant.
The Mercedes-Benz EQB is a battery electric compact luxury crossover SUV that takes the practical, boxy silhouette of the GLB and replaces the combustion engine with a silent electric powertrain. It is one of the few compact EVs to offer an optional third row, making it a rarity in the electric space for growing families.
The Mercedes EQE is a mid-size executive electric saloon that translates the flagship EQS's futuristic design and technology into a more accessible package. Built on Mercedes' dedicated EVA2 platform, it offers up to 376 miles of range, a drag coefficient of just 0.20, and the option of the theatrical MBUX Hyperscreen that turns the dashboard into a 43-inch digital canvas.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS is a battery-electric full-size luxury liftback sedan that serves as the flagship of Mercedes-Benz's EQ family. Built on the dedicated EVA electric architecture, it combines S-class opulence with zero-emission performance, featuring a world-class interior anchored by the optional MBUX Hyperscreen - a 56-inch curved glass dashboard spanning nearly the entire width of the cabin. With a drag coefficient as low as 0.20, rear-axle steering, and available Level 3 autonomous driving, the EQS represents Mercedes-Benz's most advanced technological statement in the electric era.