A new milestone at Rastatt: 1,000,000th A-Class of the W 169 model series produced

Today, the Mercedes-Benz Rastatt plant celebrates the production of the 1,000,000th unit of the second generation A-Class (W 169). The milestone vehicle, an A 180 CDI model in metallic black paint job, will arrive at a customer in Landshut, Germany. Peter Wesp, manager of the Rastatt facility, is confident that the successful story of the current A-Class series will be continued upon the arrival of the all new W 176 generation in spring next year. At the moment, extensive work is delivered at Rastatt to prepare the assembly line for the start of production of the upcoming A-Class.


Mercedes-Benz entered the MPV segment back in 1997, with the release of the first generation A-Class. After seven years of service, it was replaced by a new model in 2004, which brought the German constructor the prize for the best premium compact car one year later. Various ingenious systems were developed specially for the A-Class through time, which helped Mercedes-Benz acquire worldwide recognition as trendsetter and innovation leader in the compact class. Moreover, the A-Class was the first automobile in its segment to receive a valid international environmental certificate. The year 2005 also marked the premiere of the all new B-Class sports tourer, which combined the proven practicality of its little brother with decent dynamic capabilities.

The new compact lineup from Mercedes-Benz will comprise, along with the recently revealed B-Class (W 246), the new A-Class hatchback and three new sports-oriented niche models including a 4-door coupe (the CLC) and a SUV (the GLC). Assembly will take place at Rastatt, where the W 246 series is already being produced, and at the new location in Kecskemét, Hungary.

Since 1992, when it was founded, the Mercedes-Benz Rastatt facility has been the prime site and competence center for the production of compact-sized models under the Three Pointed Star. Last year, a number of 238.351 finished examples rolled off the factory.

Credits: Daimler AG

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