Mercedes-Benz has revealed that the ongoing A-Class hatchback will be the final iteration of this model, with no immediate successor in sight as the manufacturer strives to streamline its global offerings after a challenging 2024.
This announcement about the future of the fourth-generation A-Class—first introduced globally in 2018 and refreshed in 2023—was made by Markus Schafer, Mercedes-Benz’s Chief Technology Officer for Development and Procurement, during a conversation with the Italian magazine Quattroruote.
“We require models that can resonate internationally, particularly in markets like China and the United States,” remarked Schafer. “While the hatchback enjoys a strong fanbase in Europe, it was left out of our future strategies, which led to some difficult choices.”
Traditionally, past generations of the A-Class have been available for around six to seven years. Yet, the second-generation W169 model endured for over eight years, from 2004 to 2012, indicating that the current version may be in dealerships for just a few more months.
The phase-out of the A-Class hatchback fits into a larger plan to refine Mercedes-Benz’s compact model offerings, which now comprises the CLA sedan, CLA shooting brake (wagon), and the GLA and GLB SUVs. This decision also marks the conclusion of the Mercedes-AMG variants, including the A35 and A45.
Schafer added, “Minimizing complexity is crucial for our operations, which is why reducing the compact lineup from seven models to four was necessary.”
While the A-Class will be gradually eliminated, the upcoming CLA, expected to appear in Australian showrooms in 2026, will emerge as the entry-level model for the Mercedes-Benz brand. This next-gen CLA will incorporate the brand’s innovative ‘electric first’ Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA), utilized across the four remaining compact models, and will be available in hybrid and all-electric variants.
In 2024, Mercedes-Benz Group sold 2.4 million passenger cars and vans, reflecting a four percent decline from the previous year, including a 22 percent drop in electric vehicle sales as the company adjusted its product approach. Following a similar trend adopted by competitors like Audi and Porsche, Mercedes-Benz has delayed its plans to shift entirely to electric vehicle sales by 2030.
Last year, BMW surpassed Mercedes-Benz, ending its 11-year dominance as the leading luxury car brand in Australia, recording 26,341 sales compared to Mercedes’ total of 23,989.