Car manufacturer: Why the new Mercedes is so important for the car manufacturer

Mercedes-Benz’s great hope is resting on the new CLA. The Swabians urgently need a sense of achievement. Especially because of poorly running business in China, Mercedes had suffered a burglary last year and then launched a savings program.

Most recently, Mercedes announced the largest product and technology offensive in the company’s history. By 2027, dozens of new or revised models are to be launched. This should also have a positive effect on the recently declining heel.

It starts with the new CLA, which the Stuttgart car manufacturer introduced in Rome. The CLA is the first model of a completely new vehicle family that heralds a new chapter for the entry segment, it said from the company. If he strikes, that could be the starting shot to catch up. However, if he does not hit the nerve of customers, Mercedes should continue to get on the defensive.

Mercedes boss: Why the new car is so important

The new CLA is important because it is a carrier of two completely new technology platforms, Mercedes boss Ola Källenius told the German Press Agency. One is a newly developed electrical drive train from the ground, with Källenius particularly emphasizing its efficiency. In addition, there is the new company -based operating system (Mb.os). “The whole vehicle is software -defined,” said Källenius. It is “over the air accessible”. Updates can therefore be wireless. The car diverse digitally not, it would be better over time, said Källenius.

The CLA will initially be available as a pure electric car. It offers a range of up to 792 kilometers. Customers could soon order him, Källenius said. The production of the hybrid version is at the end of the year, so that it is available around the beginning of next year.

Källenius did not call an exact price. “We want to stay in the segment,” he said. It has always been the case that Mercedes was more likely to be found in the respective segment. You pay a little more for a Mercedes, but it also offers more. “The logic remains,” said Källenius.

For comparison: According to the company’s website, the previous CLA is available as a basic petrol engine in Germany from a little more than 40,000 euros. The A and B class are around 35,000 euros. The electric EQA is around 46,000 euros. Although it can quickly become more expensive. The customers didn’t buy the car naked, but with special equipment, said Källenius.

Burglary and drop in sales

The group result fell over a good 28 percent to EUR 10.4 billion in the year. Sales fell by 4.5 percent to 145.6 billion euros in the year. For this year, the car manufacturer expects even more headwind and less result. The Stuttgart also expect a slight decrease in the sales of cars. In 2024 it was 1.98 million units.