Mercedes-Benz halts production of the long-wheelbase CLA L in China

Mercedes-Benz has reportedly suspended production of the electric CLA L at the joint venture Beijing Benz Automotive plant in China, or at least that is what a recent report based on internal sources claims. It is important to note, however, that the German manufacturer has not yet officially confirmed this decision, nor has it made any statement on the matter.

The CLA L is the long-wheelbase version of the electric CLA we know here in Europe, developed exclusively for the Chinese market. In this Asian country, saloons with a greater wheelbase enjoy wider acceptance among the public, as Chinese buyers place particular importance on rear-seat legroom. That is why many Western manufacturers offer long-wheelbase variants in that market. In this case, however, it seems that the reception of the CLA L in China is not proving as good as Mercedes-Benz had hoped.

According to the figures cited in the report, only 627 units of the CLA L were sold in the first half of 2026. Monthly registrations are certainly quite poor, with 35 units in January, 21 in February, a temporary spike to 358 in March, 52 in April, 161 in May and zero in June. It is not clear, however, whether the absence of registrations in June is directly due to a possible production halt or to other factors related to stock levels, logistics or delivery times.

Its specification sheet made this situation hard to imagine

The model was presented to the Chinese public in November 2025 in Beijing. At 4.76 metres long, the CLA L is four centimetres longer than the European version. It also comes equipped with an 89 kWh battery which, under the Chinese CLTC homologation cycle, allows it to cover up to 866 kilometres, thus offering one of the highest ranges in the segment in the Chinese market. Its 200 kW rear-mounted motor stands out for its efficiency, with an energy consumption of just 10.9 kWh per 100 kilometres. In addition, thanks to its 800-volt architecture and a maximum charging power of 325 kW, it can recover energy for roughly 370 additional kilometres in just ten minutes.

If Mercedes-Benz officially confirms the halt in production, this case would be yet another example of the difficulties international premium manufacturers face in the dynamic Chinese electric vehicle market, where local brands are becoming increasingly strong, forcing foreign players to rethink their strategies.