Mercedes A-Class will not be continued
Discussion
Read a report here in Germany that Mercedes won’t be developing a new A or B class. They wish to concentrate on more profitable vehicles, so in the future the C Class will be the smallest.
Interesting comments about Euro7 emissions and driver assistance packages making small cars less profitable.
Interesting comments about Euro7 emissions and driver assistance packages making small cars less profitable.
As already said this is very surprising because the A Class is surely the biggest selling Mercedes.
Regarding "it is really a French car"...as far as I am aware it is only certain engines in the A and B range that are manufactured by Renault.
Also there has been a C class engine manufactured by Renault too.
Regarding "it is really a French car"...as far as I am aware it is only certain engines in the A and B range that are manufactured by Renault.
Also there has been a C class engine manufactured by Renault too.
If they are discontinuing it, then I presume it will not just be the A and B class, but all the variants such as the CLA and GLA etc.
It would be an interesting move from a branding perspective, having gone mass-market with these cars, to attempt to go back up market. It is perhaps also linked to the whispers about them moving away from the Ford model T approach to interior colours and options, which apparently hasn't been making them as much money as they expected.
It would be an interesting move from a branding perspective, having gone mass-market with these cars, to attempt to go back up market. It is perhaps also linked to the whispers about them moving away from the Ford model T approach to interior colours and options, which apparently hasn't been making them as much money as they expected.
trevalvole said:
If they are discontinuing it, then I presume it will not just be the A and B class, but all the variants such as the CLA and GLA etc.
It would be an interesting move from a branding perspective, having gone mass-market with these cars, to attempt to go back up market. It is perhaps also linked to the whispers about them moving away from the Ford model T approach to interior colours and options, which apparently hasn't been making them as much money as they expected.
the thing that confuses me about the idea, whilst the A and B class may not be the most profitable per car, the whole group of cars based on the same underpinnings must be a huge chunk of their volume ergo a huge chunk of the overall profit of the company.It would be an interesting move from a branding perspective, having gone mass-market with these cars, to attempt to go back up market. It is perhaps also linked to the whispers about them moving away from the Ford model T approach to interior colours and options, which apparently hasn't been making them as much money as they expected.
I think this is good news, especially if they do really get rid of the A and B class (horrible little cars imho)
"The group would reduce the number of so-called compact cars it offered from seven to four, he added, and 'redefine the entry point of the Mercedes-Benz brand'.
While Källenius refused to name the models that would be phased out, people close to the company have suggested that Mercedes will eventually axe its A and B-class ranges. The cheapest versions retail at €30,000.
Mercedes will focus instead on the performance-focused AMG brand, the off-road G-Class, and luxury marque Maybach, all of which will offer electric models in the next few years, as well as the electric EQ range and the recently relaunched S-Class saloon.
More than 75 per cent of the group’s investments would be targeted at developing these models, as well as the E and C-Class ranges, Källenius said."
Source: https://www.ft.com/content/dd290f3c-f08d-45a1-a64a...
"The group would reduce the number of so-called compact cars it offered from seven to four, he added, and 'redefine the entry point of the Mercedes-Benz brand'.
While Källenius refused to name the models that would be phased out, people close to the company have suggested that Mercedes will eventually axe its A and B-class ranges. The cheapest versions retail at €30,000.
Mercedes will focus instead on the performance-focused AMG brand, the off-road G-Class, and luxury marque Maybach, all of which will offer electric models in the next few years, as well as the electric EQ range and the recently relaunched S-Class saloon.
More than 75 per cent of the group’s investments would be targeted at developing these models, as well as the E and C-Class ranges, Källenius said."
Source: https://www.ft.com/content/dd290f3c-f08d-45a1-a64a...
I'm surprised purely as I'd imagine the A/B/CLA/GLA models probably make up a fair chunk of their sales. I mean generally they seem to be the most common new-ish Mercs I see.
No bad thing for the brand though, offer a solid range of high quality cars. I mean when I look at the range now, how much difference is there from a GLA/GLC/GLE/G then the B Class SUB thingy, then you have coupe and non-coupe models of some. You could probably have two mid sized SUVs and cover most bases. Although admittedly, I'm not a car marketing expect as much as I'd like to think! haha
No bad thing for the brand though, offer a solid range of high quality cars. I mean when I look at the range now, how much difference is there from a GLA/GLC/GLE/G then the B Class SUB thingy, then you have coupe and non-coupe models of some. You could probably have two mid sized SUVs and cover most bases. Although admittedly, I'm not a car marketing expect as much as I'd like to think! haha
Alex_225 said:
I'm surprised purely as I'd imagine the A/B/CLA/GLA models probably make up a fair chunk of their sales. I mean generally they seem to be the most common new-ish Mercs I see.
No bad thing for the brand though, offer a solid range of high quality cars. I mean when I look at the range now, how much difference is there from a GLA/GLC/GLE/G then the B Class SUB thingy, then you have coupe and non-coupe models of some. You could probably have two mid sized SUVs and cover most bases. Although admittedly, I'm not a car marketing expect as much as I'd like to think! haha
They are not interested in volume anymore. They want to focus on margins, which means shifting away from smaller models and appealing to customers with much bigger wallets. No bad thing for the brand though, offer a solid range of high quality cars. I mean when I look at the range now, how much difference is there from a GLA/GLC/GLE/G then the B Class SUB thingy, then you have coupe and non-coupe models of some. You could probably have two mid sized SUVs and cover most bases. Although admittedly, I'm not a car marketing expect as much as I'd like to think! haha
Chasing the volume by selling stacks of low margin tat damages the brand and destroys residual values.
As an old git I used to perceive BMW and Mercedes as genuine quality brands. Now they are more common than Ford and Vauxhall and their quality is certainly no better.
Most manufacturers are now dumping their lower end offerings and concentrating on selling less models but those that actually make more money.
It will be a shame if they go, we have B class and like it, big inside, small outside, comfortable, economical etc. Yes its not a traditional Mercedes (We also have a C63) but if they stop making the B class we won't move to a C class estate, it will be another big inside small car (BMW 2 series or KIA Niro) or god forbid a SUV.
The original idea with the A,B,CLA,GLA was that it would allow people who couldn't afford / didn't need a 'proper Mercedes' buy a smaller Mercedes and then as they went through life they would move up the range once locked in to the brand, the same story as BMW and the 1 series. Maybe it's not locked people into the brand as much as they thought and after the A Class customers are moving to another brand rather than up the Mercedes range?
It would have been interesting to be in the meeting that decided this, almost as interesting as the meeting when they told AMG the next 63 would be a 4 cylinder hybrid.
The original idea with the A,B,CLA,GLA was that it would allow people who couldn't afford / didn't need a 'proper Mercedes' buy a smaller Mercedes and then as they went through life they would move up the range once locked in to the brand, the same story as BMW and the 1 series. Maybe it's not locked people into the brand as much as they thought and after the A Class customers are moving to another brand rather than up the Mercedes range?
It would have been interesting to be in the meeting that decided this, almost as interesting as the meeting when they told AMG the next 63 would be a 4 cylinder hybrid.
raspy said:
I think this is good news, especially if they do really get rid of the A and B class (horrible little cars imho)
Honestly and for the life of me, I cannot understand how anybody could seriously think the Mercedes A Class is a "horrible little car". 
One of the models has the worlds most powerful 4 cylinder engine currently fitted to a production car.
What is horrible about that?
Ron240 said:
onestly and for the life of me, I cannot understand how anybody could seriously think the Mercedes A Class is a "horrible little car".
One of the models has the worlds most powerful 4 cylinder engine currently fitted to a production car.
What is horrible about that?
I've driven most of the latest version of the A class (and the previous version) except the A45 AMG you refer to. I've tried the petrols, diesels and the PHEV. I found them cramped, so so quality, with sub par ride and refinement for their price, and distinctly lacking in luxury. One of the models has the worlds most powerful 4 cylinder engine currently fitted to a production car.
What is horrible about that?
That's why I am glad that MB is focusing on bigger, luxurious cars, just like it did in the old days before it tried bringing in entry level cars for the masses.
Ron240 said:
raspy said:
I think this is good news, especially if they do really get rid of the A and B class (horrible little cars imho)
Honestly and for the life of me, I cannot understand how anybody could seriously think the Mercedes A Class is a "horrible little car". One of the models has the worlds most powerful 4 cylinder engine currently fitted to a production car.
What is horrible about that?
PH has become of cesspool of bitterness and negativity.
raspy said:
I've driven most of the latest version of the A class (and the previous version) except the A45 AMG you refer to. I've tried the petrols, diesels and the PHEV. I found them cramped, so so quality, with sub par ride and refinement for their price, and distinctly lacking in luxury.
That's why I am glad that MB is focusing on bigger, luxurious cars, just like it did in the old days before it tried bringing in entry level cars for the masses.
Couldn’t agree more. For me it’s the outward sportiness of the A Class that just isn’t matched by the driving experience on the lower end models - the steering, suspension, engine/throttle and transmission mappings all feel like they done as an afterthought on a Friday afternoon after a lunchtime in the pub. Jump in a base model Ford Focus - even a 10 year old one that’s been well looked after - and you can feel there’s real engineering effort gone into the driving experience through all of the controls and the suspension. There’s none of that with the A Class.That's why I am glad that MB is focusing on bigger, luxurious cars, just like it did in the old days before it tried bringing in entry level cars for the masses.
I also think the move into the mass market has been detrimental to the dealership service. The sales and service departments are so busy now they all seem to have given up on proving a decent service - its fallen to the level of lowest common denominator. One of the reasons I switched from buying Ford to Mercedes was the somewhat surly service in the dealerships - they’d service your car but it always like they were doing you a favour. Mercedes have been no better, and they charge twice as much. They won’t even allow you to speak to the Service Manager or a Technician as “they’re not customer facing”. When I tried to explain an issue with my car to the service advisor by showing them the young girl said “there’s no point showing me, I don’t know anything about cars, I’m just here to book you in”.
If I had another Mercedes it’ll be an older one and I’ll use a specialist.
quinny100 said:
Couldn’t agree more. For me it’s the outward sportiness of the A Class that just isn’t matched by the driving experience on the lower end models - the steering, suspension, engine/throttle and transmission mappings all feel like they done as an afterthought on a Friday afternoon after a lunchtime in the pub. Jump in a base model Ford Focus - even a 10 year old one that’s been well looked after - and you can feel there’s real engineering effort gone into the driving experience through all of the controls and the suspension. There’s none of that with the A Class.
I also think the move into the mass market has been detrimental to the dealership service. The sales and service departments are so busy now they all seem to have given up on proving a decent service - its fallen to the level of lowest common denominator. One of the reasons I switched from buying Ford to Mercedes was the somewhat surly service in the dealerships - they’d service your car but it always like they were doing you a favour. Mercedes have been no better, and they charge twice as much. They won’t even allow you to speak to the Service Manager or a Technician as “they’re not customer facing”. When I tried to explain an issue with my car to the service advisor by showing them the young girl said “there’s no point showing me, I don’t know anything about cars, I’m just here to book you in”.
If I had another Mercedes it’ll be an older one and I’ll use a specialist.
I can't comment on the A-class as I haven't been in one but wholly agree with para 2. When I first used my local dealer it was in the days of a small family-owned garage; superb service, able to talk to the mechanics and even the company owner if about. Premises were 'okay', main workshop was at a different location half-a-mile away but they were exceptionally good at doing what a garage should do, ie selling cars, service/repair and generally giving the impression that they genuinely cared for their customer. I also think the move into the mass market has been detrimental to the dealership service. The sales and service departments are so busy now they all seem to have given up on proving a decent service - its fallen to the level of lowest common denominator. One of the reasons I switched from buying Ford to Mercedes was the somewhat surly service in the dealerships - they’d service your car but it always like they were doing you a favour. Mercedes have been no better, and they charge twice as much. They won’t even allow you to speak to the Service Manager or a Technician as “they’re not customer facing”. When I tried to explain an issue with my car to the service advisor by showing them the young girl said “there’s no point showing me, I don’t know anything about cars, I’m just here to book you in”.
If I had another Mercedes it’ll be an older one and I’ll use a specialist.
Then the need to invest huge sums in corporate branding started creeping in, along with group-ownership, and as the 'flashiness' of the garage rose (corporate décor, free wi-fi, coffee on tap, petit-fours, loads of clip-board carrying staff, front-of-house, meeters & greeters, car-parkers, team-leaders etc. etc.), so the actual service and feel-good factor diminished.
Having said that, the changes I've refered to aren't unique to MB; as I see it the obsession with 'brand' has diluted the actual service in many cases.
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