Rastatt, Germany, June 4, 2025 – Mercedes-Benz has officially commenced series production of the all-electric CLA at its Rastatt plant, following extensive upgrades backed by a mid triple-digit million-euro investment. The milestone marks a major step forward in the company’s commitment to sustainable and digital manufacturing.

In an official press release by Mercedes-Benz, Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, stated, “With the CLA, Mercedes-Benz is ushering in a new era. It is also a statement: we are convinced of the long-term success of electromobility. The best argument for this are top products like the CLA. To ensure that these are also ‘made in Germany’ in the future, we as a company are investing in the location, but we also need framework conditions that are competitive.” 

Embracing a bold "Digital First" strategy, the company has seamlessly integrated artificial intelligence, digital twin technology, and for the first time, the Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS) into its advanced MO360 digital production ecosystem. This landmark development not only elevates production efficiency and intelligence but also sets a new benchmark for connected, next-generation vehicle manufacturing.

Electric drive units and axles for the new CLA are sourced from the Stuttgart-Untertürkheim plant, bodyshell and structural components from Kuppenheim, and batteries from the Kamenz-based subsidiary, Accumotive. The plant's production line, reconfigured through digital simulations, now supports hybrid, electric, and conventional drive systems on the same line.

The CLA is the first model built on the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) platform. The initial CLA 250+ variant offers rear-wheel drive, a 200 kW motor, 85 kWh battery, and a WLTP range of nearly 800 km. Thanks to 800V architecture, it can charge from 10% to 80% in just 22 minutes. The CLA 350 4MATIC with all-wheel drive will follow soon.

The Rastatt plant operates with carbon-neutral production powered by 100% green electricity. Energy-saving robots, heat recovery systems, and smart lighting have cut annual energy consumption by over 15 GWh. The site will also feature Europe’s first organic solid-flow battery storage system with 11 MWh capacity, in partnership with CMBlu Energy AG.

Logistics also reflect Mercedes-Benz’s sustainability goals. Finished CLAs are transported from Rastatt to Zeebrugge, Belgium, via electric trucks by partner Galliker, further reducing the carbon footprint.

In the same press release, Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, commented, "The new CLA marks the start of another chapter in the more than 30-year success story of the Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt. CLA production underpins our digital, sustainable and flexible production strategy and shows how our production network works efficiently and hand in hand. I am proud of our dedicated team, which is driving progress in car production in Germany with passion and innovation across all locations."

Looking ahead, production of the CLA will also expand globally. Mercedes-Benz’s Kecskemét plant in Hungary will handle further vehicle models based on the new MMA platform, using batteries from its in-house battery facility and drive units from its Sebes plant in Romania.The launch of CLA production at Rastatt represents a pivotal moment for Mercedes-Benz, combining cutting-edge digital innovation, sustainable practices, and global production synergies. The electric CLA not only symbolises the company’s future-focused vision but also reaffirms its commitment to maintaining German engineering excellence in the age of electromobility.