In a surprising strategic pivot, Mercedes-Benz has decided to extend the production life of its A-Class hatchback, despite earlier commitments from CEO Ola Källenius to discontinue the model — along with the B-Class MPV — by the end of 2025. The move reflects the automaker’s evolving response to sluggish electric vehicle (EV) uptake and continued demand for internal combustion engine (ICE) offerings in its compact portfolio.
Originally introduced in 2018 as part of Mercedes’ MFA (Modular Front Architecture) platform, the current A-Class was expected to bow out gracefully as the company shifted focus toward its next-generation MMA (Mercedes Modular Architecture) platform. This new architecture is set to underpin a streamlined compact line-up consisting of the CLA, CLA Shooting Brake, GLA, and GLB — each offering both ICE and electrified powertrains.
However, industry sources now confirm that the A-Class hatchback will remain in production for up to three more years, even beyond the anticipated rollout of EU7 emissions regulations in late 2026. This reversal appears to be driven by a combination of persistent consumer interest in the seven-year-old model and the slower-than-anticipated market reception to Mercedes’ newer EV offerings.
The A-Class Saloon, by contrast, quietly exited production earlier this year. Its more practical sibling, the hatchback, will continue for now — although questions remain about whether existing petrol and diesel variants will be adapted to meet the stricter EU7 standards. Notably, the high-performance AMG variants, the A35 and A45, are expected to be phased out, as their potent M139 2.0-litre turbocharged engine does not meet forthcoming emissions thresholds.
In logistical terms, production of the A-Class is likely to shift from Mercedes’ Rastatt plant in Germany — now dedicated to MMA-based CLA models — to its facility in Kecskemét, Hungary. Meanwhile, the future of the B-Class appears to be sealed, with production still scheduled to end in 2025.
This unexpected reprieve for the A-Class comes amid a broader shake-up of the brand’s compact strategy. The newly revealed CLA Shooting Brake is set to hit UK showrooms before the end of 2025, while the all-electric EQB will exit the portfolio by the same deadline. The next-generation GLB, with a choice of ICE and EV drivetrains, will enter production in 2026, followed by the final MMA-based compact — a redesigned GLA — set to arrive in late 2026 to replace both the current GLA and the EQA EV.
Despite no successor for the A-Class being developed on the MMA platform, Mercedes’ decision to extend the current model’s life underscores a pragmatic approach: continue meeting customer demand and maintain market presence in the compact segment while preparing for a more EV-centric future.
In 2019, Mercedes-Benz’s compact line-up achieved a record 667,000 global sales. That figure declined to 534,800 in 2024 — still a significant volume, especially for a brand increasingly focused on high-margin luxury models and electrification.
“The A-Class continues to enjoy high demand among our customers,” the company told Autocar in a statement. “Recently, the series was updated and enhanced with an extensive facelift — making this vehicle even more desirable for our customers. We do not comment on phase-out dates or portfolio decisions.”
For now, the A-Class hatchback defies expectations and emissions trends alike, buying Mercedes-Benz time as it balances legacy success with future ambition.
Source: Mercedes-Benz