A Class to Cease Production in 2026

[spinaltap]

A trusted dealership insider informs me that the A Class will cease production in 2026.

From what I have read elsewhere, the GLA will also be totally redesigned in 2026 (not a facelift), with the choice between Petrol, Diesel, or EV variants sharing the same platform. That suggests the present EQA will become history in 2026.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Mercedes A-Class lives to 2026 as firm scales back EV-only plans | Autocar

Hatchback was to retire this year but survives as cost parity between EV and ICE cars is still "many years away"

www.autocar.co.uk

 

[The Boss]

Well Mercedes is going down the pan.

the agency model i believe was wrong as i have said before, and culling model line ups not because there is no demand, but because the offerings are pure horse sh%t

the cls was iconic, look at the last variant.. no distinction from even the CLA.

RIP Mercedes

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Mercedes A-Class lives to 2026 as firm scales back EV-only plans | Autocar

Hatchback was to retire this year but survives as cost parity between EV and ICE cars is still "many years away"

www.autocar.co.uk

Interesting to see Autocar report that Geely will make the petrol engine for the next generation CLA:

ICE variants of the new CLA are planned to be powered by Mercedes' M282 petrol engine. To be manufactured by Geely in China, the new four-cylinder unit is also set to be used in future Geely, Lynk&Co and Volvo models.

Source: Mercedes A-Class lives to 2026 as firm scales back EV-only plans | Autocar

 

[markjay]

Interesting to see Autocar report that Geely will make the petrol engine for the next generation CLA:

Source: Mercedes A-Class lives to 2026 as firm scales back EV-only plans | Autocar

If they are going to sell less EVs... then they also need to sell less ICE cars.... in Europe, anyway. There's no way around it, if they want to avoid the hefty fines.

 

[neilrr]

Fewer.

 

[MSG2004]

Possibly becuse most people want SUV's or pretend SUV's?

 

[toteimerced]

Not sure people actually want SUV’s, more likely the car companies can charge more for them, than they can for a hatch or estate.

 

[markjay]

I think that crossovers (or mini SUVs) are the new hatchback.

Back in the seventies the likes of the Golf Mk1 immortalised the small multi purpose car that was a halfway house between the Saloon and Estate.

The crossovers are extremely practical as all-purpose family cars.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Not sure people actually want SUV’s, more likely the car companies can charge more for them, than they can for a hatch or estate.

Would many people really buy SUVs if they don’t want SUVs?

 

[TC350]

Would many people really buy SUVs if they don’t want SUVs?

Yes, when that's the bulk of what the dealers have to offer.

Very many people have commented within this very forum that they wanted petrol cars, but had to choose diesel because petrol versions were too difficult to find.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Would many people really buy SUVs if they don’t want SUVs?

If you want a new family car.....and don't want a German saloon....then you really don't have much choice but an suv!! I can honestly say that if I had the cash to buy a new car I would find it very difficult to say what.....nothing much new appeals....take ugly, overweight, cookie cutter SUVs and anything electric, derv or hybrid out of the equation and what's left?.....not much.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

If you want a new family car.....and don't want a German saloon....then you really don't have much choice but an suv!! I can honestly say that if I had the cash to buy a new car I would find it very difficult to say what.....nothing much new appeals....take ugly, overweight, cookie cutter SUVs and anything electric, derv or hybrid out of the equation and what's left?.....not much.

Yes, when that's the bulk of what the dealers have to offer.

Very many people have commented within this very forum that they wanted petrol cars, but had to choose diesel because petrol versions were too difficult to find.

The choice of saloons, estates and hatchbacks doesn’t seem too limited to me, and whilst there’s 3-series, 5-series, E-class, S-class, Golf, and Focus for sale, then I’m not sure I would consider anything else in those segments.

My general market knowledge is not what it once was but as far as I’m aware all of the following are still current models and available to order from dealers. If there aren’t many on the used market then that suggests people aren’t buying many new.

Saloons
A
C
E
S
A3
A4
A5
A6
A8
1
E
5
7
Arteon
508

Estates
CLA
C
E
A4
A5
A6
3
5
Golf
Passat
Arteon
Focus
Astra
308
508

Hatchbacks
A
B
A3
A5
A6
A7
1
2
Golf
Focus
Astra
308
408

I thought the list was long enough after covering the German premium brands and the obvious European mainstream brands, and ignored anything which was too city car, small car, EV, MPV or SUV in nature. There must be more from other brands.

 

[toteimerced]

How many of those cars are being culled, to be replaced by suv? The almighty Golf and Fucus are on their final runs, to mention just a couple.

 

[ALFAitalia]

And how many are pure petrol and not some sort of hybrid? I don't think there are any current E Class without electrical assistance.

 

[markjay]

It can be arbitrary, VW keeping the Golf name since the seventies, while Ford dropping the name Escort in favour of Focus, or Cortina for Sierra then for Monedo, etc. The real question is whether they keep making cars in the same segment, as opposed to what they're calling them.

The key issue with ICE cars converted to EVs is that while they are cheaper to make than to design a brand new EV platform from the ground up, there's a limit to the efficiency that can be achieved in this way.

VW developed a purpose built EV platform for the ID. series, Hyundai and Kia developed the E-GMP platform, etc. The fact that they chose new model designation is simply a marketing decision. Just as Ford decided to keep the name Escort for the FWD Mk2, which was a totally different car to the (very successful) RWD Mk1.

 

[BIGDOG]

And how many are pure petrol and not some sort of hybrid? I don't think there are any current E Class without electrical assistance.

Would a mild hybrid be an issue for you?

I have one and you wouldn’t know it was anything but just a petrol car, well maybe except that it pulls a little better than you would expect.

 

[ALFAitalia]

I just don't want all the extra crap to go wrong and add weight for a small mpg increase. I'd rather have an EV than a hybrid.

 

[BIGDOG]

I just don't want all the extra crap to go wrong and add weight for a small mpg increase. I'd rather have an EV than a hybrid.

My experience has been good, however, I tend to run new cars.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

This morning I saw someone washing their matching his & hers Ford Pumas, which I think most people would probably refer to as being a small SUV these days. I have to say I think they’re remarkably stylish for what they are.



A mile down the road I spotted another Ford Puma, and on the drive next door was a Ford Fusion. Probably around 20 years apart but the size and proportions were very similar, but back then most people thought of them a Fiestas for old people.



Even Ford call the Puma an SUV, but both cars are just tall small hatchbacks with FWD. The Puma is more stylish, sporting and aspirational and is both described and styled to be just that. However you cut it, they are the tall Fiesta of their time.