Inovev forecasts 180,000 units of the new Mercedes GLA in 2030
Mercedes has begun European production of its new GLA and electric C-Class models.
1. New GLA
- This is an all-new model that replaces both the previous GLA and the electric EQA. It is a C-segment SUV, competing with the Audi Q3 (combustion engine) and Q4 (electric), the BMW X1 (combustion engine) and iX1 (electric), as well as the Volvo XC40 (combustion engine) and EX40 (electric).
- Like its predecessor, it is manufactured at the Rastatt plant in Germany, alongside the recent CLA, which shares the same platform (MMA). Like the CLA, the new GLA is available as a 48V mild-hybrid (MHEV) based on a 1.5-liter engine, as well as in a fully electric (BEV) version. For the electric variant, there is a choice of two batteries: a 58 kWh LFP battery paired with a 221 hp electric motor, and an 85 kWh NMC battery paired with a 276 hp electric motor. An all-wheel-drive (4x4) version rounds out the lineup, featuring two electric motors with a combined output of 349 hp. The 276 hp version offers a WLTP-rated range of 657 km.
- It measures 4.57 meters in length—16 cm longer than the previous model and 11 cm longer than the EQA.
- Inovev forecasts production of 145,000 units in Germany in 2027, 160,000 in 2028, and 180,000 in 2030.
2. New Electric C-Class
- Previously featured in an earlier edition of *Auto Analysis*.
- Production began in July 2026 at the Hungarian plant in Kecskemét—alongside the CLA and GLB (the CLA is produced at two locations)—rather than at the German plant in Bremen, alongside the combustion-engine and mild-hybrid C-Class, as one might have expected.