Star of the Munich Motor Show, the next electric Mercedes CLA represents the star’s new vision for its compact range. A vision which will undoubtedly pass through China with batteries signed BYD.
The fifth generation of Mercedes compacts is approaching. The first models must be presented in 2024 with significant changes, at least as important as that brought by the third generation.
Change of direction first of all on the composition of the family with the disappearance of Class A and B. The star of the family will become the CLA, and in particular its electric version which will show the way by abandoning the EQ designations and will tackle like the Tesla Model 3. On the menu in the technical chapter, a new MMA platform designed to accommodate thermal, rechargeable hybrid or especially electric engines.
And the surprises are not over. Some German manufacturers no longer hesitate to call on Chinese manufacturers to design their electric models. Mercedes is not (yet) going that far, but its CLA should nevertheless have a certain Chinese accent on the side of its batteries. Certain versions could thus receive units composed of BYD Blade cells, with LFP Chemistry. A battery whose success cannot be denied since it is found in several Chinese manufacturers, but also at Tesla, Toyota (bZ3 in China) or Ford (Ford and Lincoln hybrids in China).
With this Blade offering alone, BYD captured 16% of the global automotive battery market. Remember that the Chinese group has long kept its batteries to itself. The FinDreams division which sells these batteries to other manufacturers was only founded in March 2020…
Let us also remember that Mercedes is 20% owned by Chinese groups: 10% for Geely and 10% for BAIC.
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