Mercedes-Benz has launched its new CLA hybrid in Europe with a 1.5-liter M252 engine designed in Germany but manufactured in China. This move marks a significant shift in the brand’s approach to production and international collaboration, involving Geely, Renault, and Aurobay.
Mercedes-Benz has taken an unexpected turn with the European debut of its new CLA hybrid, powered by a 1.5-liter M252 petrol engine that is designed in Germany but produced entirely in China. This strategic decision signals a new phase for the brand, as it leans on global partnerships to deliver advanced hybrid technology to the European market.
The M252 engine, a four-cylinder turbocharged unit, stands out for its use of the Miller cycle to boost efficiency. With a 12:1 compression ratio, Nanoslide cylinder coating, and a partially integrated exhaust manifold, the engine reflects Mercedes-Benz’s technical standards. However, its physical production is split between Aurobay’s facility in Yiwu and Beijing Benz Automotive, Mercedes’ joint venture in Beijing.
In the European-spec CLA 220, the M252 delivers 190 hp and is paired with a 30 hp electric motor integrated into an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The combined output reaches 211 hp and 380 Nm of torque. A 48-volt battery with 1.3 kWh capacity allows for short bursts of electric-only driving at low speeds, coasting with the petrol engine off up to 100 km/h, and energy recuperation of up to 25 kW during deceleration.
Global Collaboration
While Mercedes-Benz retains full responsibility for the engine’s design, calibration, and technical requirements, Aurobay oversees supplier management and much of the industrial process. This arrangement means the M252 is not simply a Geely engine rebadged for Mercedes, nor is it a product of German manufacturing. Instead, it is a Mercedes-developed powertrain built in China under strict brand specifications.
Aurobay itself is part of Horse Powertrain, a company jointly owned by Geely (45%), Renault Group (45%), and Aramco (10%). Although the engine is manufactured in China, the involvement of French and Saudi stakeholders underlines the increasingly international nature of automotive supply chains.
From Renault to Geely: Evolving Partnerships
Mercedes-Benz’s reliance on external partners for compact models is not new. Since 2010, the company has collaborated with the Renault-Nissan alliance to co-develop and source three- and four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. This partnership led to the use of Renault-sourced engines in models like the A-Class and B-Class, notably the adapted 1.5 dCi diesel. The current strategy builds on this legacy, shifting production to China and expanding the network of stakeholders.
What It Means for Buyers
For customers, the Chinese origin of the engine does not alter Mercedes-Benz’s responsibility for the vehicle’s integration, electronics, homologation, or specific calibration. The brand maintains control over the final product’s quality and performance. The M252’s reliability and durability will be proven over time, but its production story highlights how even the most established European carmakers now depend on global alliances to remain competitive in hybrid technology.
This development reflects a broader trend in the automotive industry, where design, engineering, and manufacturing are increasingly distributed across continents. As Mercedes-Benz adapts to new realities, the CLA hybrid’s Chinese-built engine may become a blueprint for future collaborations in the sector.
