End of the road for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchback has reached the end of the line, with the brand confirming that the current generation will be its last. This also spells the demise of the high-performance AMG A35 and A45 models.

Mercedes-Benz has decided to cull the A-Class as part of a broader strategy to simplify its model range and cater to global market demands, particularly in China and the United States. Speaking to Italian outlet Quattroruote, Markus Schafer, Mercedes-Benz’s Chief Technology Officer, confirmed the decision, acknowledging the model’s popularity in Europe but stating that difficult choices had to be made.

A-Class Through the Years

Since its debut in 1997, the A-Class has been a staple in Mercedes-Benz’s lineup, with each generation typically enjoying a six-to-seven-year lifespan. The second-generation W169, which endured the Global Financial Crisis, stretched this to over eight years from 2004 to 2012. However, with the brand’s new direction, the current fourth-generation model—launched in 2018 and updated in 2023—now has only a short time left in showrooms.

This move aligns with the discontinuation of other compact models, including the B-Class small SUV. Mercedes-Benz is shifting focus to vehicles with broader global appeal.

What’s Next for Mercedes-Benz Compact Cars?

The brand’s compact model lineup will now be trimmed from seven to four vehicles, retaining only the CLA sedan, CLA Shooting Brake (wagon), and the GLA and GLB SUVs. Additionally, a ‘baby G-Class’ off-roader is in the pipeline, though it will use a different platform from the remaining compact models.

With the A-Class axed, the CLA will become Mercedes-Benz’s new entry-level model. The recently revealed CLA (above) will debut the brand’s new ‘electric-first’ MMA (Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture) platform. It will be available with both hybrid and battery-electric powertrains, the former featuring a petrol engine from Geely, a Mercedes-Benz stakeholder.

Mercedes-Benz Reassesses its EV Strategy

The A-Class is not the only casualty of Mercedes-Benz’s strategic shake-up. The brand has also scrapped plans for a dedicated electric car platform, the ‘MB.EA’ architecture, which was intended for the next-generation EQE and EQS electric sedans. Instead, it will use existing platforms for future EVs.

In 2024, Mercedes-Benz sold 2.4 million passenger cars and vans, marking a four per cent decline compared to the previous year. This included a significant 22 per cent drop in electric vehicle sales, prompting the brand to rethink its strategy. The brand has now postponed its plan to go fully electric by 2030, following a similar approach taken by rivals like Audi, Porsche, and Alfa Romeo.