Mercedes-Benz to discontinue A-Class; will focus on SUVs

Dippy · 20th March 2025, 11:50

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that the A-Class will be discontinued and won’t see a new generation model in the future.

Speaking at the presentation of the new CLA, Chief Technology Officer, Markus Schafer explained why the decision has been taken.

“We need models that work all over the world, including China and the USA. I know the hatchback is the favourite body style in Europe, but it was not part of the plans, and we had to make choices—even difficult ones,” he said. “Reducing complexity is a key task for us. For this reason, bringing the compact family from seven to four models was necessary in this segment.”

With the A-Class gone, the new CLA will be the entry-level model for the three-pointed star in the portfolio. Other new models will include the new generations of the GLA and GLB SUVs, and a baby G-Class.

The all-electric EQA and EQB will drop the EQ badge and will be integrated with the GLA and GLB. Expect them to sport the ‘With EQ Technology’ suffix.

The Mercedes A-Class went through four generations: 1997, 2004, 2012 and 2018. The first two gens had a tall boy design, while the latter two had more conventional hatchback styling. The A-Class has also been available as a sedan.

The A-Class was discontinued from the US and Canada after the end of 2022, but remains on sale in other markets, including Europe. It is expected to continue to sell till 2026, after which production will end.

Mercedes currently sells the A-Class sedan and the AMG A45 S hatchback in India.

Source: Carscoops

Link to Team BHP news

14000rpm · 20th March 2025, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dippy

“We need models that work all over the world, including China and the USA.

Undertext I am reading - Mercedes has lost a lot of money in their EQE/EQS EV quest and need to recover money. hence, they will sell higher margin models- AMGs, MayBachs, SUVs.

The A Class was the entry point for buyers to the Mercedes family. This was always the case. Mercedes has now shifted priorities and is going back to being a high value product. read- Sacrificing Volumes to focus on bottomline.

pranav__ram · 20th March 2025, 18:11

For some reason I liked the design of A class more than CLA. I'm a sedan lover and this news really hurts.

Anyway in India Mercedes totally ignored the A class. The engine options are too basic, no AMG line ( I'm not including the A45 Hatch here )

The newly launched 2025 CLA looks really ugly in my eyes. ( personal preference ).

sunilrs · 24th March 2025, 09:03

I had checked out the A-Class last year and while the interiors were quite nice and felt very premium but it was quite a cramped car, neither prioritising driver comfort or passenger comfort and was somewhere in the middle. The engine was quite anaemic for the price. It made sense only if you were absolutely hung up on owning a Mercedes at that price point.
The GLA is far more practical at the entry level.

20th March 2025, 11:50	#1
Dippy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 7,736 Thanked: 4,099 Times	Mercedes-Benz to discontinue A-Class; will focus on SUVs Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that the A-Class will be discontinued and won’t see a new generation model in the future. Speaking at the presentation of the new CLA, Chief Technology Officer, Markus Schafer explained why the decision has been taken. “We need models that work all over the world, including China and the USA. I know the hatchback is the favourite body style in Europe, but it was not part of the plans, and we had to make choices—even difficult ones,” he said. “Reducing complexity is a key task for us. For this reason, bringing the compact family from seven to four models was necessary in this segment.” With the A-Class gone, the new CLA will be the entry-level model for the three-pointed star in the portfolio. Other new models will include the new generations of the GLA and GLB SUVs, and a baby G-Class. The all-electric EQA and EQB will drop the EQ badge and will be integrated with the GLA and GLB. Expect them to sport the ‘With EQ Technology’ suffix. The Mercedes A-Class went through four generations: 1997, 2004, 2012 and 2018. The first two gens had a tall boy design, while the latter two had more conventional hatchback styling. The A-Class has also been available as a sedan. The A-Class was discontinued from the US and Canada after the end of 2022, but remains on sale in other markets, including Europe. It is expected to continue to sell till 2026, after which production will end. Mercedes currently sells the A-Class sedan and the AMG A45 S hatchback in India. Source: Carscoops Link to Team BHP news Last edited by Dippy : 20th March 2025 at 12:19.
	(7) Thanks

20th March 2025, 18:11	#3
pranav__ram Newbie Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Banglore Posts: 18 Thanked: 18 Times	Re: Mercedes-Benz to discontinue A-Class; will focus on SUVs For some reason I liked the design of A class more than CLA. I'm a sedan lover and this news really hurts. Anyway in India Mercedes totally ignored the A class. The engine options are too basic, no AMG line ( I'm not including the A45 Hatch here ) The newly launched 2025 CLA looks really ugly in my eyes. ( personal preference ). Last edited by KarthikK : 20th March 2025 at 18:16. Reason: Removed the non-team-bhp emojis which do not render correctly. Please use the built-in emojis on the post editor instead.
	(2) Thanks

24th March 2025, 09:03	#4
sunilrs BHPian Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Thane Posts: 83 Thanked: 324 Times	Re: Mercedes-Benz to discontinue A-Class; will focus on SUVs I had checked out the A-Class last year and while the interiors were quite nice and felt very premium but it was quite a cramped car, neither prioritising driver comfort or passenger comfort and was somewhere in the middle. The engine was quite anaemic for the price. It made sense only if you were absolutely hung up on owning a Mercedes at that price point. The GLA is far more practical at the entry level.
	(1) Thanks