Following today’s launch of the locally-assembled (CKD) Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan and GLA, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) will no longer promote regular A200 and A250 A-Class Hatchback, which have since been removed from the company’s price list.

Only the AMG-badged A35 and A45 S remain, priced at RM 366,785 and RM 437,673 respectively, both imported (CBU) from Europe, either from the Rastatt plant in Germany or Keckskemet plant in Hungary, depending on shipment.

This is not to say that MBM will no longer sell the A200 and A250 Hatchback. If you want one, you can still order one but it will be via a special order process, known internally at MBM as ‘indent’ order.

As these are custom orders, the waiting period will be longer. Prices will also be higher, not just because it’s imported but also because it will be adjusted depending on prevailing foreign exchange and other factors.

Previously, the imported (CBU) A200 Progressive Line Hatchback and A250 AMG Line Hatchback were last sold in Malaysia at RM 219,263 and RM 253,594 respectively, with SST deduction. With full SST applied, the prices were RM 227,888 and RM 263,888 respectively.

Now that MBM has invested into locally-assembling the A-Class Sedan and GLA in Pekan, the company will want to focus its resources allocated for the compact car segment only on these two models.

*Prices are inclusive of SST discount, valid until 31-December 2021

Local assembly also implies the need to maximize plant utilization, so rationalizing its model range offering is necessary. As such, the A-Class Hatchback (and CLA four-door coupe) will have to take a back seat.

Also read: Priced from RM 220k, 2021 CKD Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan (V177) is launched in Malaysia

On the decision to localize the A-Class Sedan instead of the A-Class Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s Vice-President Michael Jopp said the decision was an easy one, as past experience with the CBU models show that Malaysian customers overwhelmingly prefer the sedan.