Fare thee properly.
Andrew Krok/Roadshow
We really dig the Mercedes-Benz A-Course in this article at Roadshow. It was the to start with Merc to introduce us to MBUX, the automaker’s most up-to-date and finest infotainment procedure, which has now built its way to almost each Benz product. So it is really a little bit of a shame that this small, function-rich sedan will no extended be offered below.
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan will bow out of the US adhering to the 2022 model calendar year, Automotive Information studies, citing an acquired Mercedes-Benz dealership memo. “Though the A-Course was exceptionally perfectly obtained by our consumers because its introduction in 2019, this determination is constant with our ongoing hard work to streamline our product or service offering system,” wrote a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson in a statement sent to Roadshow.
Automotive News’ report cites “waning shopper demand for automobiles and shifting company priorities.” A speedy perusal of Mercedes-Benz’s own income numbers really don’t paint a rosy photo for its compact sedan, with the A-Class’ Q3 2021 product sales down by 75.3{a78e43caf781a4748142ac77894e52b42fd2247cba0219deedaee5032d61bfc9} calendar year above yr and Q4 2021 sales down by 65.9{a78e43caf781a4748142ac77894e52b42fd2247cba0219deedaee5032d61bfc9} 12 months in excess of yr. The manufacturer as a full underperformed in both of those these quarters, but by a much lessen percentage than the A-Course on its individual.
The A-Class’ departure is not for a lack of attempting. The small sedan experienced its personal Tremendous Bowl industrial and ushered in the subsequent technology of Mercedes’ in-vehicle tech. But, as pointed out in AN’s report, this was not ample to launch the A-Class to income achievement as purchasers retain gravitating towards SUVs, these types of as Benz’s own GLA-Course, which was up to date soon following the A-Course and picked up most of its improvements.
Past the zeitgeist abandoning sedans en masse, AN notes that lineup bloat is also a contributing element. The outlet factors out that, including engine variants and system models, a lot more than 100 variations of Mercedes-Benz versions are offered across 15 various nameplates.
For now, the A-Class’ place as the entry-stage Benz will be thrust upon the GLA-Class compact crossover, which as we mentioned in our critique is also a quite fantastic motor vehicle. Its AMG variant, for individuals trying to find more pace, is also very the peach. The CLA-Course will soldier on as a result of the 2023 design calendar year, as effectively, supplying the similar superior bits of the A-Course in a a little sleeker shell, but its income aren’t exactly stellar, either.