Mercedes delays CLA launch in China to second half of 2025

In China, the start of production of the electric Mercedes-Benz CLA has apparently been delayed from the first half of the year to the second half of 2025. A long-wheelbase version of the compact sedan will be launched exclusively for the Chinese market. The reason for the delay is said to be problems with the software.

mercedes benz mma cla nardo 2024 5 1400x933 — Image: Mercedes-Benz

As the Chinese industry portal 36kr reports, citing a company document, the start of production for the electric CLA with a China-specific long wheelbase has been delayed from April to August 2025. When asked by the portal, Mercedes-Benz only commented that the new all-electric CLA with a long wheelbase will go into production in 2025 and is currently being tested on a large scale.

According to 36kr, however, there is said to be a problem with the software development, which is why the delay of several months has now occurred. According to insiders, the car manufacturer is still working on the E/E architecture of the CLA. At this point, many traditional OEMs have some catching up to do, as Volkswagen’s use of Xpeng technologies shows. Mercedes-Benz is trying to overcome the software challenges with its joint venture partner BAIC Motor. The Stuttgart-based company has set up a research and development centre in Shanghai and put together a team of several hundred employees to keep pace in the areas of E/E architecture, smart cockpits and intelligent driving.

The new generation of the CLA, which was still presented as a concept at the IAA Mobility 2023, is an important model for Mercedes. This year, the electric sedan will see the debut of the completely new electric platform called MMA, which is set to shape Mercedes’ electric cars for years to come – especially with its efficiency, as we recently reported in detail. The CLA marks the start of the Stuttgart-based company’s upcoming compact model family, which is set to ensure high unit numbers. European production will take place in Rastatt, Germany.

In addition, the new generation of the CLA will also be built in Beijing. Mercedes currently offers the A-Class sedan in a long version as a compact model for China, and the CLA is to take over this role. The new generation is to be built in Beijing with either an electric drive or a petrol engine.

Beijing Benz Automotive (BBAC) has been building Mercedes cars for China since 2005, including some electric models. The EQC, which has since been discontinued, was built there for China, and the EQA, EQB, EQE and EQE SUV are currently being produced there for the local market. There are also a number of combustion-powered sedans and SUVs, most of which are China-specific long-wheelbase versions that are not available in Europe.

36kr.com (in Chinese) via cnevpost.com