JAKARTA - Mercedes-Benz in the last two days has reaped a lot of criticism on social media. Not about its latest design or digital technology, but a strategic decision that touches the "self-esteem" of the European automotive industry. The German manufacturer officially confirmed the use of a hybrid engine resulting from a collaboration with Geely on the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 Hybrid model.
This cross-continental collaboration is actually not new news. Mercedes-Benz has confirmed the collaboration since the middle of last year. However, after the CLA 220 Hybrid specification details were officially announced, public reactions, especially on social media, were immediately heated.
A number of users of the X platform consider this move by Mercedes-Benz as a symbol of the weakening dominance of the German automotive industry. One of the criticisms came from an Irish journalist, Chay Bowes, who has more than 253 thousand followers.
"The dominance of the German automotive industry is dead. Mercedes chose to use a Chinese-made engine from Geely in their latest CLA 220 Hybrid," he tweeted on the X platform.
A similar tone was also voiced by the international media account X @RT_com.
"The German car industry receives DEATH, China takes over leadership. Mercedes chooses a Chinese engine from Geely for its latest CLA 220 Hybrid. Is this the beginning of the end, or is it already the end?"
The tweets quickly spread and sparked a debate about the future direction of the European automotive industry, especially amid Chinese manufacturers' aggressiveness in electrification technology.
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Latest Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 Hybrid Specifications
Behind the controversy, the Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 Hybrid 2026 comes with technology that cannot be ignored. This sedan relies on a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo gasoline engine code M252, the result of joint development with Geely and is included in the FAME engine family.
The engine is fully produced in China and uses Miller cycle technology to improve thermal efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. The 48V hybrid system is the main highlight, integrated directly with the 8F-eDCT transmission.
Mercedes also mounts a 30 hp electric motor that allows the car to run in pure electric mode under certain conditions. This system is capable of regenerating energy up to 25 kW through eight gears on the front drive shaft, ensuring efficiency remains optimal even at high speeds.
In terms of performance, the combination of a 188 hp gasoline engine and an electric motor produces a total power of 208 hp with a peak torque of 380 Nm. With front-wheel drive, the CLA 220 Hybrid is capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 7.1 seconds.
For comfort, Mercedes improved cabin damping through the use of double-layer partitions and additional sound-proofing materials on the A-pillars and floor, so that the cabin feels quieter.
Interior Design and Technology
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In terms of design, the CLA 220 Hybrid still maintains the visual identity of the Mercedes electric car family. The glowing grille with a chrome star emblem is the center of attention, while the typical Mercedes star motif is also applied to the front and rear lights which are connected by an elongated running light.
Its body dimension is slightly larger than the previous generation, providing more spacious cabin space and a luggage capacity of 405 liters.
Entering the interior, this sedan is equipped with the latest MB.OS and fourth generation MBUX operating systems. The infotainment system integrates artificial intelligence from Google and Microsoft, including Google Maps-based navigation displayed through the MBUX Superscreen.
This futuristic panel combines three screens at once, namely a 10.25-inch digital instrument screen, a 14-inch main screen in the middle, and a 14-inch front passenger-specific screen - confirming Mercedes-Benz's direction towards an increasingly digital and connected driving experience.
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