GLA will be the entry-level model for the brand.
A Mercedes memo was sent to dealers, informing them that the A Class will be discontinued from the US lineup after the 2022 model year. This is not a surprise. Mercedes pulled the AMG A35, the more powerful version of the AMG A35, from the US just before the 2022 model-year began. This left only the A-Class on dealer lots. Automotive News reports that this one is also going away.
The publication didn’t say how it got the dealer memo. Mercedes also declined AN’s request to comment on the contents of the letter. The more affordable model sold well in 2019 with sales of over 17,000 units. However, that number dropped to just over 8,100 in 2021. Over the past few years, consumers have stopped buying sedans and other small cars from automakers large and small.
The A-Class arrived at the wrong moment and competed with a smaller Mercedes four-door, the CLA_Class. This vehicle is still available for purchase. The CLA-Class is positioned above A-Class in Mercedes’ lineup. It has a fancier design and sits on the same MFA2 platform. CLA was introduced in 2013. The memo states that the model will be available for the 2023 model-year. (demotes?) The GLA is the entry-level model of the brand.
Automotive News was told by an operating partner of Mercedes-Benz in Oklahoma City that Mercedes wants to be more upmarket. Todd Bondy stated that Mercedes will prioritize models that are profitable for both the manufacturer and dealers. This coincides with plans by the company to produce more fully electric cars. The transition was reported as having been accelerated last year. This could indicate that there are significant changes coming to the Mercedes lineup.