Comments on: Mercedes B-Class and A-Class headed for U.S. by 2011

By: rotaryrkt

rotaryrkt — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 11:21:15 +0000

This decision has nothing to do with demand. By offering these types of models they will be able to offset their CAFE numbers and be able to continue selling bi-turbo V-12’s and 500 horsepower AMG models.

By: xyunya

xyunya — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:13:33 +0000

I think B-calss is sold in Canada. Not very well sold, but available. I don’t believe it can compete with Mini. Mini is just great little car to drive. A/B class very non-discreet. The only thing that separates those from Mitsubishi or Corolla is 3 pointed star. And I am not talking Evo, I am talking plane Jane Mirage.

By: brassmonkey

brassmonkey — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:22:12 +0000

Yay. An expensive gas saver that is as reliable as Joey Buttafuco. Good move, Dieter.

By: Htay9500

Htay9500 — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:48:26 +0000

Won’t this dilute MBs image here?

By: JoshyLofty

JoshyLofty — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:06:19 +0000

as long as the next gen A/B classes look better they should be fine. & if one of the two competes directly with Mini, they’ll do JUST fine. not that the mini is bad, but it gives the consumer an option. These next gen A/B classes are the mercedes models that are getting hyundai’s 2.0-2.4L 4 bangers that C&D & LLN reported about. FYI.

By: RaineMan

RaineMan — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:03:09 +0000

Well… BMW is doing very very nicely with the Minis… so I’m not suprised that Mercedes would try something. Though perhaps they should create some kind of sub-brand just so they can keep their premium name away from anything that might be considered entry-level.

By: golf4me

golf4me — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:00:04 +0000

I kinda like the current B-class, but I really like 5dr hatches anyway. If they offer the next version with an efficient diesel, I think they’ll sell a few of them. I think people are finally realizing that a well packaged hatchback will do 99.9% of what they bought an SUV for. Just the other day I was loading up my 325 wagon at Home Depot with a bunch of big items, concrete, and some 2×4s, and the guy next to me in a Durango was like “hey that car holds a lot, what kind of mileage does it get” I told him it gets 25mpg, and it handles like a BMW, I love it. I said it can’t really tow anything, and he goes, “sheeit, I’ve never towed anything in my life”…

By: Nightblack_97

Nightblack_97 — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:53:19 +0000

Agreed. Bmw did sell a fair number of 318i’s to the 30k millionaire crowd, but trying to sell a mercedes that looks like an Aveo may be pushing the limit.

By: xyunya

xyunya — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:47:35 +0000

Not a smart move. They don’t do THAT well in Europe competing on quality with Toyota and Honda. It will be a costly mistake in US. And if domestics will put their act together and provide small quality cars for domestic market, there is little need for this.