Compact cars to live on for another generation, but Mercedes-Benz A-Class and B-Class facing the axe
Mercedes-Benz will pull back the curtains later this year on its next-generation 2024 Mercedes-Benz CLA, GLA and GLB compact cars that will ride on an all-new platform and offer both full-electric and combustion powertrains.
The news that the German car-maker remains committed to making small premium cars was confirmed by Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius, who told Automotive News that the company would continue to invest in compact cars despite a broader focus on profitable high-end models.
Even though Mercedes’ small-car line-up will live on, with the next-gen models reaching the market early next year, reports suggest that the current range will be slashed from seven models to just four.
According to sources, reported by German newspaper Handelsblatt, the surviving models will be the CLA, GLA/EQA and the GLB/EQB, plus a new rugged off-roader that is secretly being developed under the ‘baby G-Glass’ nickname.
Both the A-Class hatch and the roomier B-Class will both be quietly killed off from 2025.
As well as reshaping the line-up, all four models will be based on the car-maker’s new Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) that is claimed to be developed for electric powertrains first but can accommodate combustion engines.
This suggests Benz will offer a battery-powered version of every model, alongside what’s likely to be an electrified petrol engine line-up.
Within the cabin it’s expected more high-grade materials will be introduced, plus lots of new tech including the company’s latest operating system (MB.OS) that will help Mercedes justify much higher prices in a bid to boost profit margins to its 14 per cent target.
Despite the full model changeover being less than a year away, the current range of A-Class, CLA, B-Class, GLA and GLB are just receiving a facelift, suggesting there will be an overlap between new and old models.
Last year the A-Class-based family accounted for a considerable 595,916 sales worldwide, accounting for 29 per cent of Benz’s total 2.04m volume.
Those figures are two per cent down on 2021, and Mercedes expects its new ‘Entry Luxury’ family to command a much smaller share of sales compared to today.
It’s been tipped the first car to debut in 2024 will be the CLA sedan that has already been teased with a side profile silhouette last year.
Join the conversation at our Facebook page Or email us at [email protected]
Keyword: New Mercedes-Benz CLA, GLA and GLB to land in 2024