The Mercedes-Benz A-Class will be discontinued in the United States once the 2022 model year production run is complete.
The compact sedan, which was introduced in the U.S. for the 2019 model year, has been dropped from the German luxury brand’s lineup amid waning demand for small passenger cars, according to a report from Automotive News. U.S. sales of the compact sedan reached their highest point in 2019, when Mercedes managed to move 17,641 examples of the four-door. Sales fell 47 percent year-over-year in 2021 to just 8,108 units.
Sales Numbers - Luxury C-Segment Cars - 2021 - United States
| MODEL | YTD 21 / YTD 20 | YTD 21 | YTD 20 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACURA ILX | +3.62% | 13,900 | 13,414 |
| MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS | -47.12% | 8,108 | 15,332 |
| CADILLAC CT4 | +48.35% | 7,253 | 4,889 |
| MERCEDES-BENZ CLA-CLASS | -37.96% | 6,822 | 10,997 |
| AUDI A3 | -75.95% | 2,390 | 9,937 |
| TOTAL | -29.50% | 38,473 | 54,569 |
A dealer manager familiar with Mercedes-Benz’s U.S. strategy told Automotive News the automaker made small profit margins on the entry-level A-Class, which was priced from just $32,800 in the United States. While the margins on the A-Class were never strong, its main purpose was to attract young people to the Mercedes-Benz brand and, ideally, retain these buyers once they upgraded to a larger vehicle like a C-CLass sedan or GLC crossover. Paltry sales meant Mercedes-Benz wasn’t converting very many Millenials into luxury car buyers, though, making it an untenable product for the U.S. market.
With the departure of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the Cadillac CT4 now has one less rival to contend with here in North America. However the CT4’s key competitors in the U.S. will still include some worthy very worthy rivals, including the Audi A3, BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe and Acura ILX.
Powertrain options in the 2022 Cadillac CT4 consist of the turbocharged 2.0L LSY I4 gasoline engine and the twin-turbocharged 3.0L LGY V6 gasoline engine. The subcompact luxury sedan is produced at the GM Lansing Grand River Assembly plant in Michigan alongside the closely related Cadillac CT5 sedan and the Chevy Camaro sports coupe. Pricing starts at $34,840 including destination and freight charges.
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Comments
This has to be Fake News. Only GM cancels sedans.
Yup typical Russian disinformation.
So i guess no one caught the typo at the end stating that the ct4 has a 3.0?! It has a 2.0, 2.7, 2.7 h.o., and the 3.6. The ct5 has the 2.0, 3.0, 3.0 h.o., and 6.2.
Mercedes does have many expensive mechanical issues with it’s more affordable, entry level cars, primarily with the Electrical area, Scotty Kilmer’s YouTube channel pointed that out and it caught me by surprise, but that’s what I like about him, he’ll tell you upfront on the BS that most of the Luxury Automakers try to hide when it comes to trying to sustain a certain image about their cars, until the customer discovers later on that, the “Bells and Whistles” approach doesn’t always give you what you asked for when it comes to long term ownership.
I would like to know how much of this was due to chip shortages? I’m sure since this was the cheapest model they sold it would not be first in line for chips. I actually thought this was a good strategy for Mercedes since it’s right around $30k and was “affordable” for an entry level model.
I recall driving a 2 year old A-class back from Palm Springs to Los Angeles (car was a trade on a new Volvo). It was a very low miles car and very well kept. No matter, it was not a pleasant car to drive. Less than a year later, I purchased the CT4. Zero comparison between how the CT4 drove vs. that A-class. Based on that long drive, I’d never spend my money on the A-class but I did spend my money on the Cadillac.
Anyhow, just one more sedan falls to the mighty sales/profits of the SUV/CUV’s. It’s just a matter of time. I truly believe the key to keeping a few sedans in GM’s lineup would be to produce a Chevy, a Buick and the two Cadillac’s all in one plant and on one line. Having 4 different models on the same basic platform would allow more overall sales spread out over the 3 brands. The fine line is that it would be imperative that GM not do the cookie-cutter thing and make all 4 sedans very different on the outside and inside.
Dan if you don’t mind me asking what didn’t you like about it?
Chris: Thanks for asking. First, even for a smaller car it was very tight inside. Zero back seat room, and although that wasn’t an issue for me driving it back, it would certainly be an issue for buying one. Second, the controls were absolutely impossible to understand. Third, the ride was bone-jarring. I literally thought I was going to lose a kidney before I made it back to the dealership. Lastly, I didn’t feel that it was a luxury look for a car. The fit/finish and materials were fine overall, but just not a car I would ever spend my money for.
On the other hand, the CT4 was a true joy to drive. Very comfortable and very quiet (unlike the A-class), yet the CT4 was an outstanding car for handling. The rear seat room was much more usable and everything in the car was easy to use and/or understand. Also, the fit/finish and materials in the CT4 were as good as the Benz.
This is good to know I appreciate you saying this. I’m actually wanting a new sedan soon I was going to wait until prices came back down. I want to stay with gm but basically all the sedans except the Malibu are now gone and who knows how much longer it will survive. I’m going to try to find a used ct4 once prices go down. I was considering the A class because it was a affordable sedan and Mercedes kept touting it being a cheaper version but still the standard Mercedes quality but that is obviously not the case. I’d rather not go the Toyota or Honda route to be honest so it’s a used sedan for me lol. I think even though gm sedans might not of been selling well it was a mistake to kill almost all of them off it’s pushed a lot of people I know to their competitors mainly Toyota and Honda.
Chris: Agree. All my life I’ve been a common sense guy who would never place all my eggs in one basket. IMO, that’s a huge mistake and GM/Ford are certainly putting all those eggs in the SUV/CUV basket. I don’t care if they are the best selling products on the market, as some point people WILL tire of the bloated SUV style (I know, I sure did!!). When the tide turns, who will be ready with sedans in the showrooms already. Now, I will say that the traditional sedan style may be gone forever, but a higher sitting “pumped up” type of sedan would be the way to go. But at this point, nobody will have them.
As for the used vs. new? The new car market will adjust downward more quickly than the used. From everything I’ve been reading and hearing, the used will stay high for the next year or so until everything else comes back in line. Remember, car dealers will do anything to make a sale! Once the new car inventory begins to level out (which it is already doing) and the manufacturers keep pumping new cars out, the market will change. Bottom line? I’d watch for a brand new CT4 when the prices begin to drop and stay more basic. Even now you can pick up a 2021 CT4 brand new for under $35,000. It’s difficult to find a nice 2 year old used car for much less.
Yup I agree 100% this same exact thing happened in 08-09 people couldn’t dump their suv/cuv fast enough. It’s a sad day when the Chevrolet name only has the Malibu now, why cancel the spark ya know? It sold good and it’s an entry level vehicle that new car buyers could afford and later on upgrade to something else within the gm family but nope that’s gone to now at the end of this year. I bet you are right once things get back to normal their will be a demand for sedans again. I don’t hate suv/cuv but I won’t own one they are just to big I like the smaller sportier cars the ct4 is perfect size. The sonic was great but it’s gone to lol. I actually liked the Ford Fusion but it’s also gone lol. I didn’t think I would see the day when Cadillac would offer more sedan models then Chevy
People often complain or down-right ridicule GM/Ford/Chrysler for when they shared platforms and had a version of each car for nearly every division. I’ve never been on that bandwagon and the only thing I’ve said is that they should have had more differences between the models. I’ll take the biggest (most glaring) example: The GM J body. Was it a mistake to bring the Cimarron out so similar to the Cavalier? Yes. But was it a mistake to bring the Cimarron out? No. What GM should have done was bring the Cimarron out a year later with the changes that the 1986 had in style and improvements. Then give each division a unique body and interior with brand specific options/features. They could do that same thing yet today and have enough sales to keep one factory going strong while giving Chevy and Buick and Cadillac sedans. Even if they don’t sell in numbers like the Equinox or XT5, give customers a car. Oh well, that’s just my opinion.
I agree with everything you just said. Aren’t you looking for a used Buick sedan right now? If you don’t mind me asking which one?
Well Chris…….haha. I’m always “looking” for a car! I never stop and I do like older cars from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Currently I own a 1988 Cadillac Cimarron with only 61K and in amazing condition. The only thing not 100% factory original are the (very expensive) genuine wire wheels (not hubcaps). I found a set of factory original alloy rims and they are now ready for pick up after I had them redone. I sold the CT4 because I was able to make money on it. I paid off my Volvo S60 lease and will most likely sell that too if the money is still good. But I don’t want to drive the old Cimmy daily, so I’m currently looking for a clean and solid 95 or newer Buick or Cadillac. I also kind of ordered a 2022 CT5 exactly the way I want it. When that does show up, it’s my option to take it or not.
So yes, I’m looking. I did find a super clean/low miles 1996 Buick Skylark that I may pick up.
Could it be that we “car guys” are smarter when it comes to cars than the bean counters and “Protect my year end bonus at all (future) cost” people calling the shots?
How many Buicks and Cadillacs and chips and components do YOU think we’re going to get out of China when — not if — push comes to shove?
… mercedes benz is so ubly … do not care … would go with ct4
The small Mercedes-Benz A-class with FWD or AWD is not a direct competitor for the middle-class RWD Cadillac CT-4. The high price of Mercedes-Benz only helps with the leasing calculation. In terms of quality, Cadillac are equal to all core competitors such as Audi, BMW, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. The only difference is the low Cadillac price, but this one is social for all citizens!
AND ANOTHER THING, while I’ve got my Irish up, what imbecile decided on the styles and sizes of the last Buicks sedans?
I’d see a Honda Accord, a Toyota Camry, fer Chrissake even a friggin’ Subaru Legacy … much less a Toyota Avalon or original Hyundai Genesis … and think THAT woulda made a nice Century or LaCrosse or Lucerne.
IF I RAN GM:
Chevrolet– Remember “The Low Priced Three”?
Pontiac — Same size as Chevy, but with a little more flash. “We build Excitement!”
Oldsmobile — A step up in size, horsepower, and luxury. Middle management aspirational vehicle.
Buick — ” When better automobiles are built, Buick will build them.” Lower priced models same size and luxury as Olds. Senior models Cadillac size, luxury, and power. Doctors. Lawyers. Bank presidents. Top of the heap near-luxury, subtle elegance.
Cadillac — “The Standard of the World.” Ne plus ultra. Extravagant. Powerful. Big.
No doubt you’ve arrived.
GMC– Vans. Trucks. SUVs CUVs Anything that is not a car.
Maybe not a perfect plan, but a start.