Mercedes hints at the upcoming end of A- and B-Class
Mercedes-Benz is planning four models based on the new MMA platform, which is primarily designed for electric drives – successors to the A-Class compact model and the B-Class van will probably not be among them. There is also likely to be another electric SUV.
As Mercedes boss Ola Källenius revealed at the IAA Mobility, the CLA as a four-door coupé, a shooting-brake offshoot of the CLA and two SUV models as successors to the EQA and EQB are to be built on the basis of the MMA. At least that is what the “Handelsblatt” writes with reference to Källenius.
At the trade fair, Mercedes gave a near-production preview of the CLA planned for the end of 2024 with the Concept CLA Class concept. The 800-volt model is to be offered with an LFP battery and an NMC battery, the latter of which is to have an anode with silicon oxide content and enable a range of up to 750 kilometres. The MMA is designed as an “electric first” but not an “electric only” platform. However, details on possible combustion models are not yet known.
“This really is the start of a new era for us,” Källenius is quoted as saying by Autocar. “We will introduce four new models developed from scratch on MMA: a four-door coupé, a shooting brake and two stunning SUVs. All of them were created by our engineers and designers to fulfil one mission: elevating every aspect of what customers expect from Mercedes.”
In June 2022, the German publication Handelsblatt reported that Källenius wanted to sort out Mercedes’ compact model range. even then it was stated that only four of the seven compact model series would survive. In view of the global demand, the two SUV series were considered to be set, the A- and B-Class, which are primarily sold in Europe, as well as the A-Class Saloon, which is similar to the CLA) were considered to be candidates for cancellation – which is now underpinned by the current statement.
Källenius has also confirmed plans for a smaller version of the electric G-Class. According to Automobilwoche, this could be called the “g-Class”, will use a mixture of the upcoming MMA and MB.EA platforms and is expected to come onto the market in 2026 at the earliest. Like the large G-Class, the “smaller” model is to be around 4.80 metres long, but somewhat flatter. In terms of design, however, the “g-Class” will be based on the iconic Mercedes model. The “large” EQG, which might be called the G-Class again after all, is due to be launched in 2024.
In all cases, the luxury strategy proclaimed by Källenius is the background. Mercedes wants to focus primarily on high-priced and high-margin models. Versions with globally too low demand and high fixed costs for production and development will be sorted out, and the profile of the model range, which has grown steadily under Dieter Zetsche, will be sharpened. The goal is to maintain a double-digit return on sales despite the investments in electromobility.
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