Mercedes-Benz entire range will be underpinned by four platforms

Mercedes is planning to streamline its platform usage and the final segregation will be confined to four platforms. These four platforms will underpin all the future Mercedes and existing cars in their line-up. This number is a big contrast in comparison to the nine platforms used by the Stuttgart-based luxury car maker five years ago.

The four new platforms would be MFA (Modular Front Architecture), MRA (Modular Rear-Wheel Architecture), MHA (Modular High Architecture) and MSA (Modular Sports Architecture). The all-new CLA sedan, A-Class, B-Class and the recently unveiled GLA-Class and an unconfirmed SLA Roadster might be underpinned by the same platform.

The MRA will underpin the C-Class sedan (W205), GLK compact crossover and the redesigned E-Class which will debut in 2016. The all-new S-Class sedan and coupe use a few components of this architecture. The ML, GL and a new two-door SUV based on the ML due in 2015 will use the MHA architecture.The two-door SL and SLK will use the MSA architecture.

This consolidation of platforms is to reduce cost and accelerate the production rate. The idea is to keep production cost in check to increase profitability. This platform sharing concept until now was common with budget car manufacturers. However, the number of models in every luxury car maker’s line-up has also gone up considerably. This also means additional cost to keep a singular chassis for every model. This is a good move by Mercedes and we hope this platform sharing should also bring down the cost of ownership. 

Source: Auto Evolution