Mercedes-Benz Ramps Up Electric CLA Production Amid Robust Demand, Signaling Strong EV Market Appeal
Key Insights
Mercedes-Benz is significantly increasing production of its new electric CLA sedan due to unexpectedly high global demand, adding a third shift at its Stuttgart-Untertürkheim plant.
The strong order backlog has resulted in extended customer wait times, with many deliveries for the electric CLA now anticipated to stretch into 2025.
Both electric CLA variants feature an 85 kWh lithium-ion battery and an 800-volt electric architecture, highlighting advanced EV technology.
Mercedes-Benz has secured critical rare earth materials for EV drivetrains, addressing a key supply chain concern amidst the production ramp-up.
Mercedes-Benz is significantly ramping up production of its new third-generation CLA, particularly the fully electric variants, in response to unexpectedly strong global demand. Just three months after its unveiling, the automaker is adding a third shift to its assembly line at the Stuttgart-Untertürkheim plant to mitigate growing customer wait times, which for many, now extend into next year.
This surge in orders underscores a notable market shift, as the CLA is the first model in its lineage to offer a dedicated electric powertrain alongside traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) options. Jörg Burzer, Mercedes-Benz Production Director, confirmed that initial orders for the new CLA are "very encouraging" and that the production ramp-up is progressing smoothly. Despite industry-wide concerns regarding the supply of critical rare earth materials, particularly those essential for EV drivetrains, Mercedes-Benz asserts it has successfully secured the necessary components to meet its production targets.
Currently, approximately 200 CLA units are rolling off the production line daily. While this pace translates to about 50,000 vehicles annually based on a 250-day work year, Burzer indicated that the Stuttgart-Untertürkheim facility is engineered to produce "hundreds of thousands" of vehicles, especially as other models built on the versatile MMA platform come online. The high demand has, however, led to extended delivery timelines, with many customers now facing waits until 2025, prompting internal discussions about potentially prioritizing customer orders over employee allocations.
The electric CLA lineup features two primary variants: the CLA 250+ with EQ Technology and the CLA 350 4Matic with EQ Technology. Both models are equipped with an 85 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and leverage an advanced 800-volt electric architecture, enabling faster charging capabilities. The base CLA 250+ delivers 268 horsepower and 247 lb-ft (335 Nm) of torque through a rear-mounted motor. The more powerful CLA 350 4Matic utilizes a dual-motor setup, providing a combined output of 349 horsepower and 380 lb-ft (515 Nm). Production of the gasoline-powered CLA models, which will feature 1.5-liter four-cylinder engines with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance, is slated to commence in the coming months, followed by the new CLA Shooting Brake variant before the end of the year.