Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has confirmed that it will launch the V177 A-Class Sedan in locally-assembled (CKD) form here. This was revealed during a recent media roundtable attended by the company’s president and CEO, Sagree Sardien, as well as its sales and marketing head, Michael Jopp.
In February this year, MBM expressed its intention to add locally-assembled MFA-based compact cars and SUV models to its lineup. This was later confirmed when we sighted a CKD production report by the Malaysian Automotive Association’s (MAA) for the month of July.
While the report didn’t explicitly state what was assembled by MBM’s plant in Pekan, Pahang, the listed engine displacement (between 1,301 cc to 1,501 cc) placed the A 200 Sedan, W177 A 200 hatchback and GLA 200 as potential candidates, as all three feature a M282 1.33 turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
At the time, we opined that the A-Class Sedan would be the first of the CKD MFA-based cars to come our way, and this is now officially the case. “First of all, we would like to congratulate [paultan.org] for finding this out, very good. Yes, we will be launching CKD A [Class} Sedan, which, obviously we’ve announced at the beginning of the year that we would be launching MFAs,” said Jopp.
“However, the mere fact that we have produced cars doesn’t necessarily mean we can sell cars, because before we’re able to sell cars, there are a couple of other pre-conditions that need to be met internally, just from a pure production release perspective,” he continued.
Jopp also brought up the issue of pricing approvals, which has affected car companies in Malaysia before, as we’ve seen with the Honda Civic facelift. “Referring back to the government, all these require pricing approvals that we don’t have at this moment,” he explained.
“This is something I can confirm and therefore, unfortunately, I cannot confirm when exactly we’re going to launch [the A-Class Sedan]. From a sales perspective, I hope it’s only a few weeks in the future. But honestly, I don’t know, I literally cannot say at this moment,” he added.
Based on Jopp’s reply, we can expect the CKD A-Class Sedan to be launched in the “next few weeks,” most likely with a lower price tag compared to the soon-to-be-outgoing fully-imported (CBU) A 200 that is offered in Progressive Line guise. It remains to be seen if there will be an equipment changes for the CKD version.
For some context, with the ongoing sales tax exemption of 50% for CBU cars, the A 200 Progressive Line is priced at RM222,121 on-the-road without insurance. The CKD version should be cheaper with localisation that sees a 100% sales tax exemption, making it even more price competitive when going up against the A-Class Sedan’s direct rival, the F44 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe that is also CKD and available in 218 M Sport form for RM211,367.
While the A 200 appears to be a definite, we fully expect the A 250 to be launched together (in CKD guise) as well, given that MBM usually mirrors its CBU models when introducing them in CKD form. The CBU A 250 AMG Line is currently priced at RM259,255 with a 50% sales tax exemption.
With local assembly of MFA-based cars a reality, we also asked if there was a possibility that EQ models based on the platform will join the CKD line-up. “Evaluating the overall EV portfolio, the decision has not been made which product makes more sense to be localised for Malaysia, if we decide to localise. And so, unfortunately, I cannot answer at this moment,” Jopp replied.
GALLERY: V177 Mercedes-Benz A 200 Progressive Line Sedan
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Let’s see how much to pay for a compact Benz sedan.
Especially it’s Renault Engine, Torsion Beam and FWD.
Interesting
CLA is better…this looks very lame
Will A200 Sedan CKD include with rear ac vents?
Hopefully this time it comes with rear AC vents and maybe blind spot assist. A vehicle costing 200k and only comes with AEB is just embarrassing.
Sell here below rm150k pls..
there is nothing of this car that deserves the mercedes benz name
Mercedes Benz only created the A-class for those poorfags who couldn’t afford for a proper Mercedes car, meaning E-class and up.
What an ugly interior.
F44 looks like a better car
If want to buy benz, better buy C class. A class sedan is just not a proper benz.
Hear hear…but CLA is different story.. same size but diffrent class
I’m 36 and my elder son will turn 17next yr. still headache what car for him. good. If below 210k Will buy this under powered premium, all show and no go safer car for him so that he can stands out at school, no power to race around, and get some fine girls and have family at young age , take over my business and let me enjoy traveling the world, like what I did back then letting my parents retired early.
if u want your elder son to suffer from depression, this is the perfect car
w206 bila sampai laa?