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Mercedes-Benz: Discontinuation Of The A And B Classes Was Inevitable
With the arrival of the Concept CLA, Mercedes has made it clear that the future CLA will become the basis of the Mercedes range in various versions. This means that models such as the A and B classes will disappear, and the EQA will also eventually leave the field. Yet strange, since the A-class has scored enormously since the third generation abandoned its good image and focused more on (relatively) young buyers. “The model worked as we intended,” said Mercedes Chief Technology Officer Markus Schäfer. “But unfortunately, the A-Class is not a world car. It does well in markets in Europe and undeniably has many fans. But in China, for example, the A does not catch on at all. If you miss such a large market, then the business case becomes difficult. With seven models in that segment (A, CLA, GLA, EQA GLA, and their derivatives), it is too much. Mercedes is not a volume brand, and we should not become one ‘accidentally’. The margins are too small, and we want to say, “We know that they are real Mercedes. That is why we do not come in bare-bones versions. This means that the new CLA will be the new entry-level model for Mercedes in four versions. The sedan, a shooting brake, and two SUVs.”
The next CLA will be based on Mercedes’ new MMA platform, which is intended for both electric propulsion and combustion engines. With a consumption of 12 kWh/100 km and an 800-volt system, it sets new standards for Mercedes. For range, consumption, and charging speed, which should go to 300 kW. With this, Mercedes wants to further elevate the CLA. “We are therefore positioning our entry-level model higher in the market. More equipment, more technology. And we keep the gap with the C-class. All other models go up in the same movement.”
