Once set for discontinuation, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class has received a surprising lease on life. Originally reported in March to be ending production by 2026, fresh updates from Germany now confirm that the current generation A-Class will remain in production until 2028, two years longer than initially planned.
Change in Strategy
Back in 2022, Mercedes-Benz had announced a major streamlining initiative, aiming to reduce its model range from 33 to just 14 in order to cut complexity and focus more on luxury segments. At the time, the W177 A-Class was listed among the vehicles to be phased out, alongside the B-Class, GLA, and GLB, with no direct successor in sight.
The W177 generation, introduced in 2018 and refreshed in 2023, will now become the longest-running A-Class generation in the model’s history. This reversal comes despite comments from company executives in recent years reinforcing a shift away from volume-based models.
Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius previously told Autocar UK:
“It’s not our goal to be a competitor of the volume producers. That’s not what the Mercedes-Benz brand stands for.”
Echoing the shift, CTO Markus Schäfer also mentioned that future models must appeal to key global markets like China and the USA, where hatchbacks are less popular an indication that the A-Class hatchback’s European-focused appeal was at odds with broader strategy.
Why the Change?
The main reason behind this unexpected U-turn is continued strong demand. According to Automobilwoche, a German publication affiliated with Automotive News Europe, Mercedes-Benz’s Head of Production, Jörg Burzer, confirmed that market interest in the A-Class has remained high, influencing the decision to prolong its production run.
While the B-Class is still on track to be discontinued next year, the A-Class will now remain in production until 2028. Manufacturing will shift from Germany to Hungary for its final years, potentially paving the way for another minor update or facelift to keep the model competitive.
Local Line-Up and Pricing
In South Africa, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class range includes six variants, comprising both hatchback and sedan configurations:
- Entry-level: A200 Progressive – R813,124
- Top-end diesel sedan: A200d AMG Line – R991,046
- AMG models:
- A35 Sedan – R1,173,973
- A45 S Hatch – R1,457,119
The decision to extend the A-Class lifecycle ensures that local buyers will continue to have access to one of Mercedes-Benz’s most compact and accessible offerings for the foreseeable future.
Despite earlier reports suggesting the end was near, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is now set to stick around until at least 2028. Thanks to persistent global demand, this compact luxury car will remain part of the brand’s evolving portfolio, highlighting how real-world market trends can sometimes override even the most carefully laid corporate plans.
Related article: Mercedes-Benz Halts Production in Eastern Cape: Will Employees Receive Pay?
