Confusing alphabet-soup names like CLK, CLC, CLS SLK, GLK, CL, SL and SLR have made it hard for customers to keep track of Mercedes-Benz's vehicle lineup, and to fix that the company is looking at returning to more traditional names based around the A, B, C, E and S-Class names. Among the first to be changed are the CLK, announced earlier this year, and according to Mercedes exec Klaus Maier, the CLC.

In September, speculation arose that Mercedes-Benz would be changing the name of its CLK to bear an E-Class tag, and then the ConceptFASCINATION was revealed, and described by Mercedes as a hint at the 'future E-Class Coupe', a not-so-subtle clue that the CLK would indeed be returning to its E-Class naming roots, to match its return to a true E-Class platform.

Now Mercedes' marketing manager in Germany, Klaus Maier, has revealed in an interview with Auto Motor & Sport that the CLC will also be part of the name-slimming campaign. The CLS name is safe, however, since it is a rather unique vehicle.

Whether other names, including the SLK, SL and GLK will continue on beyond their current model terms is unclear, as Maier hinted that more name changes were to come. Whatever the ultimate results are, they will begin soon with the introduction of the new CLK and continue for several years.

Mercedes-Benz CLK Spy Shots
2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK spy shots
2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK interior shots