Electrification Plans Completely Postponed, Mercedes-Benz Continues Production A-Class Until 2026

JAKARTA - Good news for Mercedes-Benz car lovers. The reason is, this luxury brand from Germany announced that the A-Class model will be produced until 2026. Previously, it was called the fourth generation hatchback, which will retire after 2024.

This news follows the announcement that the manufacturer nicknamed the'silver arrow' confirms it will take a flexible approach to its future lineup of models, namely continuing the simultaneous production of ICE and EV engine cars in the next few years.

Previously, the company had prepared to fully produce EVs in 2030. However, studies conducted by Mercedes-Benz reveal that PHEV and EV cars are likely to only generate half of its global sales.

"I don't think anyone thinks that the transformation of the automotive industry that occurs once in a century will go straight, sometimes there will be improvements and declines," said Ola Kllenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz, quoted from Autocar, Monday, March 11.

In preparation for continuing production of A-Class, the manufacturer has changed the Rastatt factory in Germany in order to produce cars with the MFA platform for compact vehicles and MMA for electric vehicles.

According to Mercedes-Benz, the MMA platform is designed for different types of powertrains, both ICE, PHEV, and EV. This architecture was first introduced at the CLA Concept in September last year.

The manufacturer will set up the latest CLA with Mercedes' M282 engine and will also be used on a number of vehicles under the future Geely, Lynk & Co, and Volvo badges.

Meanwhile, the EV variant of CLA will offer single or double powertrains, supplied by different battery options, giving a 750 km range of battery.