Within the face of slowing demand for electrical autos, Mercedes-Benz plans to maintain its present A-Class on sale till 2026 as an alternative of a earlier plan to axe the gas-powered compact this yr.

The data was first reported final week by The Solar, which cited feedback made by Mercedes CEO Ola Okällenius. Solely the hatchback is anticipated to stay in manufacturing and never the sedan which was discontinued within the U.S. after 2022.

The information comes simply weeks after Okällenius mentioned slower than anticipated EV gross sales has triggered Mercedes to delay its plan to solely promote EVs in most markets by 2030, and that the corporate will now proceed providing gas-powered automobiles properly into the following decade.

The a lot greater value of manufacturing EVs can also be another excuse Mercedes will maintain gas-powered automobiles on sale longer than beforehand deliberate. Okällenius mentioned the fee parity between EVs and gas-powered automobiles is “at present miles away,” The Solar reported.

The Solar additionally reported that the A-Class shall be given a redesign, seemingly on the brand new MMA platform that debuts in a redesigned CLA-Class lately noticed testing in prototype kind and due on sale subsequent yr. The MMA platform is designed for each hybrid and electrical powertrains, and it is potential each choices shall be provided in any future A-Class.

The A-Class nameplate was set to be scrapped this yr, along with the B-Class compact van which does not look like getting a keep of execution. Mercedes final yr even teased a next-generation compact vary which was to consist of latest variations of the CLA-Class, CLA-Class Taking pictures Brake, GLA-Class, and GLB-Class solely.

We have reached out to Mercedes for touch upon the way forward for the A-Class.