The Mercedes compact models will not live to see another generation after rumours emerged that the German automaker will discontinue the A-Class and B-Class by 2025.
It seems that Mercedes-Benz are planning on reducing their conclusive range of vehicles to focus on larger, more expensive three-pointed star models that yield higher profit margins. In our local market, Mercedes product offering of 27 different vehicles is on the higher side of the spectrum, competing directly with BMW and Audi.
In a bid to simplify their product offering, the A-Class hatchback and B-Class will be the first Mercedes compact models to go. The CLA, CLA Shooting Brake, GLA and GLB will all live to fight another day, for now at least.
Future Mercedes lineups will be split into three categories which comprise Entry Luxury, Core Luxury and Top-End Luxury. The German automaker will focus on segments from the C-Class and above in its effort to become “the world’s most valuable luxury car brand” in a time of uncertainty with electric mobility.
German publication Handelsblatt states from an insider report that suits in Stuttgart made the decision to axe the A-Class and B-Class by 2025 as their range of products focuses more on electrification.
Based on this rumour, the A-Class hatchback and sedan therefore only have three effective years in the Mercedes compact portfolio. The same fate is shared for the B-Class although the SUV oriented derivatives being the GLA and GLB are reportedly safe, for now. SUVs are afterall a highly rewarding segment to dabble in. The future of the two pumped up three-pointed star models should expectedly merge from their current MFA platform into the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA), which is in essence the dedicated electric platform for the entry luxury lineup.
None of this is confirmed since it is only hearsay but based on their current roadmap and future intentions as a luxury automaker, we can believe that some Mercedes compact models will be shown the door.
