Mercedes-Benz to Shift CLA Production to Three Shifts Due to Strong Demand

According to foreign media reports, Joerg Burzer, head of production at Mercedes-Benz, stated that due to strong market demand, the company will adjust the production of the all-new CLA compact sedan to a three-shift model in the second half of this year. The order situation for the fully electric CLA sedan is 'very encouraging'. The CLA is the first model built on Mercedes-Benz's MMA platform, which is primarily designed for electric vehicles but is also compatible with fuel-powered models. As a key strategic model in the competition for electric vehicle sales between Mercedes-Benz and BMW, the launch of the electric CLA sedan is crucial. Mercedes-Benz opened pre-orders for the electric version of the CLA in Europe in April this year. The vehicle is produced at the Rastatt plant in Germany, while its electric drive system is manufactured at the Untertuerkheim plant near Stuttgart, Germany. Notably, supply chain issues have not affected the launch plans for the electric CLA. Joerg Burzer pointed out that the supply of rare earth materials is currently stable, and lessons learned from the semiconductor crisis have improved the logistics system. However, German dealers report that the delivery cycle for the CLA is lengthy, with some orders from April expected to be delivered to customers by early 2026. The fuel version of the CLA is planned to start production at the end of this year and will be equipped with engines produced in China by Aurobay, a subsidiary of Geely Holding Group focused on internal combustion engine development and manufacturing. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz plans to add a production line for the CLA Shooting Brake at the Rastatt plant this year. Joerg Burzer also confirmed that the plant will produce an SUV based on the MMA platform (expected to be the next-generation GLA crossover). The current annual production capacity of the plant is 200,000 units, and it can be further expanded if necessary. The CLA model is also planned to be produced in China, with its electric drive system to be localized in Beijing based on the blueprint from the Untertuerkheim plant. Joerg Burzer emphasized that reducing production costs is crucial to ensuring competitiveness in Germany, given China's significantly lower production costs. Currently, the Untertuerkheim plant can produce about 200 CLA electric motors per day, with an estimated annual output of 50,000 units. Joerg Burzer stated that the final production capacity target for the plant is to reach several hundred thousand units, including electric motors for other models produced on the MMA platform. Notably, the Untertuerkheim plant will undergo significant upgrades through a new round of investment in electric drive system production. Joerg Burzer revealed that the plant will receive substantial investments in the hundreds of millions of euros over the coming years to manufacture electric drive systems for high-end models like the electric S-Class sedan. At the same time, a new labor agreement signed at the Untertuerkheim plant will extend job security until 2035. In exchange, labor representatives agreed to enhance production flexibility, including allowing employees to be temporarily assigned to engine or battery production lines during model updates. Despite undergoing electrification, most jobs at the Untertuerkheim plant are still supported by the production of fuel-powered systems. Additionally, Joerg Burzer has not confirmed the specific discontinuation dates for the existing A-Class and B-Class models based on the current MFA platform. Although there have been reports suggesting discontinuation may occur in 2026, the old and new models can be produced in parallel, and ongoing market demand may support an extension of the production cycle for the current models. Despite reducing production at the Bremen plant and transferring some GLC model production to the United States while allocating new models to the Hungarian plant, the company still plans to maintain stable employment and production capacity in Germany. Joerg Burzer noted that by 2027, Mercedes-Benz will launch more than 20 new or significantly updated models, which will inject new momentum into the company's future development.