The new Mercedes-Benz nomenclature is broken down in the above illustration.  Photo via Mercedes-Benz .

The new Mercedes-Benz nomenclature is broken down in the above illustration. Photo via Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz is following the announcements from Infiniti and Cadillac by changing the way they name their vehicles to make it less confusing for customers, the luxury automaker announced.

The changes come ahead of a planned release of new SUV model range for 2015, Mercedes-Benz USA announced in a press release. In addition to renaming SUVs, Mercedes-Benz will begin adding lower-case letters designating alternative-fuel vehicles as it begins a roll-out of 10 of those between now and 2017.

Under the new naming convention, the compact, mid-size and large luxury SUVs will now start with a G. The letter that follows will describe the vehicle's size. The large GL three-row SUV becomes the GLS; the mid-size ML two-row SUV becomes the GLE; and the compact GLK becomes the GLC.

Additionally, the four-door SLK coupe will become the SLC.

Mercedes-Benz is also renaming it’s alternative fuel vehicles. The diesels will no longer be called BlueTec but will include a simple, lower-case "d" after the names. Hybrids will get an "h," hydrogen fuel cells will get an "f," and electrics will get an "e."

The names of the SL roadster and G SUV remain unchanged.

The company also announced the return of the Maybach name. The Mercedes-Maybach will be unveiled at the L.A. Auto Show, and is expected to sell well in China, the U.S., Russia, and Japan, according to a Reuters report.

Originally posted on Automotive Fleet

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