Mercedes Class A. The range to be reduced

The A-Class is a 5-door compact sedan that serves as the entry-level model in the Mercedes range.

5-door sedan, minivan, 4-door coupe, hunting station wagon, SUV … With eight compact models in the catalog, Mercedes has undoubtedly pushed the concept of body variations too far. Some find it difficult to exist. We will have to clean up the range.

Mercedes has one of the most extensive catalogs on the market. In the compact segment alone, the manufacturer offers no less than eight models, seven of which are available in Europe. And this, without counting the 100% electric offers: EQA and EQB! By way of comparison, Peugeot’s complete range has twelve body styles, including the Rifter, Expert Combi and Traveler… It is time for Mercedes to clean up its offer a bit.

Models for all markets

mercedes cla shooting brake — The compact hunting station wagon (CLA Shooting Brake) sometimes overshadows the CLA coupe.

Class A, Class B, Class A sedan (in two lengths), CLA, CLA Shooting Brake, GLA and GLB. Here are all the models offered by Mercedes in the compact segment. Some work better than others (eg: Class A) but mainly in Europe. For Marcus Schäfer, head of research and development at Mercedes, “ it’s important that we build cars for the world, and we know that compact models don’t work everywhere “. He also admits that “ some vehicles are very close “. He is referring here to the A-Class sedan and CLA: two notchback offers that stand in a few centimeters.

Which models to exclude?

mercedes a class sedan cla — Fratricidal duel between a Class A sedan (in the foreground) and a CLA, the 4-door coupe in the range.

These two bodies are clearly in the viewfinder. However, no choice has yet been confirmed. If the sedan is clearly ahead, internally by the CLA, it can compete with the Audi A3 Sedan. In addition, the 4-door coupe is often overtaken by the Shooting Brake, especially in Eastern Europe.

mercedes glb — The GLB is now the only model in Mercedes’ compact range to offer 7 seats.

Another model is on the list of threatened versions: the B-Class. The MPV is clearly less popular than the SUV, yet Mercedes claims to have succeeded in rejuvenating its customers thanks to this model. It also makes it possible not to leave BMW too alone in this segment with its 2 Series Active Tourer, which will soon be renewed. One thing is certain, the two compact SUVs have nothing to fear. Especially since the GLB is the only one in the family to offer 7 places.

It could be that the range of compact Mercedes does not hold more than five models. To be continued…

TO READ. Mercedes. All the news until 2024