Mercedes-Benz halts China production of electric CLA L after poor sales

Mercedes-Benz’s extended‑wheelbase electric sedan CLA L, built for the Chinese market, has been taken off the production line at Beijing‑Benz’s factory. The model, equipped with an 89 kWh battery, 800‑volt architecture, fast‑charging capability of up to 325 kW and a CLTC‑rated range of up to 866 km, was priced at about 229,000 yuan (≈31,000 €).

Sales in the first half of 2026 totaled only 627 units: 35 in January, 21 in February, a brief peak of 358 in March, then 52 in April, 161 in May and none in June. The weak demand led the joint venture to suspend manufacturing, although Mercedes‑Benz has not issued an official statement on whether the pause is temporary or permanent.

The failure highlights the intense competition from domestic EV makers such as BYD, Xiaomi and Nio, whose offerings combine strong specifications with aggressive pricing, eroding the market share of premium European brands in China.