SerpApi.Org
- China’s Mercedes CLA L has an 89 kWh battery and a 538-mile range.
- The electric CLA L supports DC quick charging of up to 325 kW.
- Mercedes has sold just 627 examples of the Electric CLA L this year.
German car brands have become accustomed to selling stretched versions of their models in China for those demanding extra interior space. Mercedes-Benz ran that playbook last year with the new-generation CLA, building the Electric CLA L specifically for buyers in the People’s Republic.
Read: 2027 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 EV Debuts With 3 Motors, 671 HP And A Vibrator
While the ultra-efficient sedan has plenty going for it, local buyers don’t appear all that interested. In fact, according to a new report from Germany, Mercedes has paused production of the model through its joint venture with BAIC Motor.
According to MBPassion, a possible explanation is the disappointing sales, as just 627 examples of the Electric CLA L have been delivered in China through the first half of this year. Sales were particularly poor in January with just 35 units finding new homes, while a measly 21 were sold in February. Numbers rose considerably in March to 358, but then fell to 52 vehicles in April and 161 in May. As for June, MBPassion says not a single car was sold, a figure we have yet to confirm.
Mercedes-Benz has not commented. It’s also unclear for how long production may be halted and if there’s a chance Mercedes will back away from the model entirely, perhaps sensing that it may have misjudged the Chinese market.
What Does The CLA L Offer?
Like the electric CLA sold in other markets, China’s model uses a sizeable 89 kWh battery pack and has a claimed CLTC driving range of up to 538 miles (866 km). While this doesn’t give it the longest driving range among EVs in China, it’s certainly among the most efficient. In addition, it supports DC charging speeds of up to 325 kW, meaning the battery can be topped up with 230 miles (370 km) of range in just ten minutes.
Also: BYD Says Five-Minute Charging Adds 310 Miles, BMW Says Read The Fine Print
By Western standards, DC charging like this is superb. In China, though, brands like BYD have taken EV charging speeds to new levels, launching the 1,500 kW Flash Charging network, which can charge an EV from 10-97 percent in just nine minutes.
