Hot! Mercedes-Benz, What's Next?

[SKY]

I hope we are all prepared.
We still didn‘t see the worst looking Benz yet

Looks so stupid. It’s like a fake car with a grille sticker. Just be brave, put a large MB logo where that stupid piece of plastic is, have some LEDs around it and be done with it.

They really don’t have a clue of what they are doing…

 

[Design FIRST]

Looks so stupid. It’s like a fake car with a grille sticker. Just be brave, put a large MB logo where that stupid piece of plastic is, have some LEDs around it and be done with it.

They really don’t have a clue of what they are doing…

I'd love to see M-B design return to form. In a manner that design matches the immense technological competence and unrelenting innovative drive of the brand.

Alas, as things currently stand, Mercedes-Benz is like an accomplished quantum physicist wearing Vanilla Ice's old waredrobe that was purchased at a flea market upon recommendation of Elton John's style advisor.

 

[Luca]

MERCEDES-BENZ CONFIRMS A-CLASS SUCCESSOR ON NEW MMA PLATFORM
MARKUS JORDAN·A-CLASS·FEBRUARY 10, 2026·1 MINUTE READ
Homepage A-Class
Mercedes-Benz is launching a fifth model on the MMA platform, intended to replace the A-Class and appeal primarily to younger customers in Europe. The "A-Class successor" will be positioned independently and will be placed below the CLA.

 

[Rolf]

Personally, I've always perceived the A-Class sedan to look quite good when viewed in the metal in real-life environments. In fact, I actually prefer it to the MMA CLA. The MMA CLA oddly reminds me of a tricycle covered with a padded cape.

I like the A-class saloon, the rear end looked well matched to the front styling. I think it was slightly more practical than the CLA with slightly better rear interior space. I actually preferred the design of the tail lights on the saloon more than the hatch.

I am looking forward to a new crossover A-class. If it can be in the spirit of the 2nd gen model but bigger and with more distinctive styling it could be a good selling car.

 

[leylandi]

VLE

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[Merc1]

The hybrid/ice versions better be coming soon after, otherwise it's gonna be an uphill struggle to sell these, especially in the USA. An I6 needs to be part of the program. I hope they got the memo. So we're seeing this in March and the Maybach S-Class in March also? Any word on the S63 AMG?

M

 

[leylandi]

The hybrid/ice versions better be coming soon after, otherwise it's gonna be an uphill struggle to sell these, especially in the USA. An I6 needs to be part of the program. I hope they got the memo. So we're seeing this in March and the Maybach S-Class in March also? Any word on the S63 AMG?

M

maybach reveal end of march

 

[Design FIRST]

According to the company's financial results, Mercedes-Benz's profit plummeted by nearly half last year. The automotive giant is suffering primarily from tariffs and competition from China.

Mercedes-Benz's profit nearly halved last year. Compared to the previous year, the company's net income fell by approximately 49 percent, from €10.4 billion to €5.3 billion, the Stuttgart-based automaker announced.

Tariffs, negative exchange rate effects, and intense competition in China weighed on the results. Cost savings of more than €3.5 billion in the passenger car division, however, offset some of the headwinds.

Revenue declined by nine percent to €132.2 billion. Operating profit before interest and taxes fell by 57 percent to €5.82 billion.

The financial results were in line with forecasts and were driven by "a clear focus on efficiency, speed, and flexibility," Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius said in the statement. “We are ready for 2026,” said Källenius. With a clear plan and a highly competitive product portfolio, Mercedes is consistently driving its transformation forward.

Mercedes sells fewer cars
Last year, Mercedes sold a total of around 2,160,000 passenger cars and vans. Just over 1.8 million passenger cars were sold, representing a decline of nine percent compared to 2024. The decline was particularly pronounced in China, at 19 percent. China remains Mercedes' most important market. The Stuttgart-based company sold almost a third of all its passenger cars there in 2025.

The company had already reacted to the challenging situation a year ago and announced a cost-cutting program. The Group's net income had already fallen significantly year-on-year in 2024. Revenue and sales were also declining at that time.

The cost-cutting program is intended to help the company become more profitable again. According to the plan, production costs are to be reduced by ten percent by 2027 compared to then. In addition, material costs will be optimized. Fixed costs are also expected to decrease by a further ten percent by 2027. A severance package for employees in indirect areas, i.e., not in production, is also intended to help achieve this.

*dpa/lay (German Press Agency/WELT.DE 12.02.2026

 

[Swissbob]

In the new AMS they have been able to drive the new S580 from the passenger seat, Flatplane sound has been confirmed as the Crossplane sound from the Burmester.

The C63 has been confirmed as well.

 

[Merc1]

In the new AMS they have been able to drive the new S580 from the passenger seat, Flatplane sound has been confirmed as the Crossplane sound from the Burmester.

The C63 has been confirmed as well.

You can't just leave it there man, the C63 has been confirmed with what? A V8?


M

 

[Swissbob]

You can't just leave it there man, the C63 has been confirmed with what? A V8?


M

Yes, the Flatplane V8.

 

[leylandi]

Margin Ambition

Mercedes-Benz Cars seeks to sell approximately 2 million vehicles, including a more than 15% increase in Top-End Vehicle sales and a doubling of the xEV share in the medium term. Mercedes-Benz expects to achieve an 8–10% adjusted Return on Sales (RoS) for Mercedes-Benz Cars in the medium term through a combination of strong product momentum from the launch programme and relentless cost discipline .

The full benefits of Next Level Performance, which include fixed and variable cost reductions and lower investments, will support cash conversion and generation.

Production is being made leaner and more efficient, with global production capacity being adjusted to around 2.2 million units by 2028. Assembly of Mercedes-Benz vehicles at the COMPAS Joint Venture plant in Aguascalientes will end in 2026. Production capacity in Germany will be at 900,000 units, while Kecskemét in Hungary will be able to produce up to 400,000 vehicles.

In addition, production efficiency is set to be improved through lower energy costs, higher equipment utilisation, higher automation, the use of Artificial Intelligence, and the reduction of logistics costs by optimised transport routes and outsourcing. With these measures, Mercedes-Benz aims to reduce production costs per unit by a total of 10% from 2027 onwards compared to 2024 levels.

Mercedes-Benz has implemented significant fixed-cost reductions in 2025. Additionally, Mercedes-Benz launched a personnel cost reduction programme in 2025, which will further increase efficiency levels in 2026 and 2027 to support a fixed cost reduction by 10% between 2024 and 2027.

Efficiency measures further include a reduction of management positions, outsourcing of non-core activities, the initiated sale of company-owned retail in Germany and the consolidation of customer-oriented activities from the Sales & Customer unit and Financial Services into an integrated organisation.

Material cost savings are expected to reach approximately 8% until 2027, rising to 10% beyond this date, thanks to a strengthening of our local-for-local approach, leveraging sourcing from best-cost countries, as well as through radical cost engineering and close cooperation between R&D, purchasing and supplier teams and further standardisation of components and modules.

Capex and R&D investments peaked in 2025 and will start to decline in 2026. Investments allocated to Top-End Vehicles and Core segment vehicles will amount to 70%–80% of platform investments. A technology stack, including MB.OS and MB.DRIVE (ADAS) will be scaled across the entire product portfolio, including ICE and BEV architectures in every segment.

 

[leylandi]

 

[leylandi]

Mercedes will introduce seven new models in the next three months. The G Cabriolet will be introduced next year.

 

[leylandi]

 

[leylandi]

 

[Dopebouy]

Yes, the Flatplane V8.

i can’t believe it, The C63 V8 is returning?

 

[Dopebouy]

Mercedes-Benz confirms A-Class successor on new MMA platform
Mercedes-Benz is launching a fifth model based on the MMA platform, intended to replace the A-Class and appeal primarily to younger customers in Europe. The "A-Class successor" will be positioned independently, below the CLA.

Independent Entry-Level Model

The new vehicle will not be a classic compact car, but rather a compact crossover with a fresh design. The goal is a practical, everyday premium vehicle for urban customers that clearly differentiates itself from the CLA. The new Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) platform enables hybrid and electric powertrains and guarantees modern safety and efficiency standards. The entry-level model leverages this flexibility to offer an attractive, future-proof product.

Market Launch for the A-Class Successor

The market launch is planned for early 2028, with production likely to take place at the Kecskemét plant in Hungary. The current A-Class will continue to be produced for several more years to facilitate the transition.

Strategic Importance of the A-Class

With the new model variant – initially still in the planning stages – Mercedes secures its premium entry point into the brand. The crossover is intended to appeal particularly to young buyers in Europe who want to combine design, technology, and everyday practicality. This step was more than necessary to attract younger customers with a model positioned below the CLA, as has been the case for decades with the A-Class.

i feel like Mercedes missed an opportunity to give the current CLA & this upcoming A-class the longitudinal drivetrains of the C-class, just in a shorter wheelbase. I mean the A & CLA are pretty much quite expensive so why not just give them a longitudinal setup with lesser features & options that you can find in the C-class so that it can have a lower cost.

Sure there’ll be less spacing but a GLA & GLB are not far off in pricing, you can get that instead because they are more spacious & not try to make the A-class as spacious as the GLA. Doesn’t make sense to have 4 of the same car simultaneously(This A-class ‘minivan’, GLA,GLB,Mini G)

Longitudinal mounted A-class & CLA would’ve been awesome, superior platform to drive too. A RWD ICE CLA Would’ve made a serious comeback for a modern 190e, especially in M139 guise.

 

[leylandi]

The mini G is a different car. It has no connection to the MMA. Longitudinal engine placement is no longer an option for this class. Even BMW has abandoned it.

The 190e is the predecessor of the C-Class. They are different categories.

 

[Swissbob]

i can’t believe it, The C63 V8 is returning?

Unfortunately only as a Flatplane, but it’s still a V8 and it should rev very high ( hopefully over 8000rpm).