New Mercedes GLA Launches as an Electric Car
Series production of the new GLA is underway at the Mercedes plant in Rastatt. The fully electric version is the first to roll off the production line, while models with 48-volt hybrid technology and combustion engines are set to follow later in the year.
This confirms Mercedes’ previously announced production of the new GLA in Rastatt. However, the manufacturer has not yet disclosed prices, ranges or specific delivery dates as production begins.
MMA Instead of the Previous Multi-Powertrain Platform
The electric GLA is based on the Mercedes Modular Architecture, or MMA. This architecture is designed for a new generation of compact electric cars and is also used for models related to the new Mercedes CLA-Class.
Compared with the previous EQA, the new GLA grows to 4.57 metres in length. That is an increase of more than ten centimetres. At the same time, the SUV gets a lower silhouette, a longer wheelbase and a wider rear track.
Wheels positioned more flush with the body and pronounced shoulders are intended to give it a more dynamic appearance. The electric version also features an illuminated grille in Mercedes’ current design style. This gives the EV a clearer visual distinction from the hybrid variants that will follow later.
The new GLA is not only a direct successor to the EQA, but also an important building block for Mercedes’ next generation of electric compact cars.
Flexible Production for Electric and Hybrid Models
Rastatt has been producing vehicles since 1992 and employs around 7,000 people. The plant can build electric cars, hybrids and conventionally powered models on the same production line. This flexibility is particularly important while demand for the different powertrain types continues to vary by region.
The GLA is currently being built in Assembly Hall 4.0. At the same time, Mercedes is investing a figure in the low hundreds of millions in converting the neighbouring Hall 4.1. Production of the model is scheduled to begin there next year.
Components from the German Production Network
| Component | Production Site |
|---|---|
| Electric drive units and axles | Untertürkheim, Mettingen and Hedelfingen |
| High-voltage batteries | Kamenz |
| Body-in-white components | Kuppenheim |
| Structural and body components | Kuppenheim |
The Kuppenheim site is located around ten kilometres from Rastatt and has been part of the Rastatt Mercedes plant’s organisational structure since the beginning of 2026. The short transport distances for body components simplify logistics, while key parts of the electric powertrain come from other Mercedes sites in Germany.
Digital Twin Optimises the New Production Line
Mercedes is using a digital twin to convert Hall 4.1. This creates a virtual representation of the production environment before equipment and workflows are fully set up in the physical hall. Bottlenecks or inefficient process steps can therefore be identified and corrected earlier.
The Mercedes-Benz Operating System, MB.OS, also plays a role in production. Its chip-to-cloud architecture transfers vehicle software centrally from the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud instead of installing it separately through different hardware modules.
MB.OS, artificial intelligence and the MO360 production system are intended to work together to create more flexible processes. In the long term, this could give customers more consistent software integration because hardware and software are more closely interconnected during production.
What the Start of Production Means for the Market
At 4.57 metres long, the GLA is positioned in the heart of the fiercely competitive electric compact SUV segment. There, it faces numerous models from European, Korean, US and Chinese manufacturers.
Design and brand image will therefore not be the only decisive factors. Range, charging performance, software quality and price will also need to impress. At the very least, the start of production shows that Mercedes is prioritising the electric GLA and is now moving the replacement of the EQA into series production.
