Mercedes-Benz is rumored to be dropping its diminutive A-Class after the current model’s production run ends in 2011. The A-Class, which is in its second generation, has suffered in the media since the first generation’s 1997 introduction. Still, Mercedes-Benz has sold over 1.5 million A-Class cars.
Shortly after the first generation (W168) A-Class was introduced, a Swedish magazine caused a stir by flipping an A-Class during the “moose test.” Initially, Mercedes denied that there was a tendency for the A-Class to roll over. However, the carmaker surprised nearly everyone by recalling all of the A-Classes that had been built to retrofit Electronic Stability Control. Ever since then, the A-Class’ image has suffered.
The report of Mercedes dropping its smallest car and its first front-wheel-drive car comes from WirtschaftsWoche, a German weekly business publication. No official reason is known yet. Mercedes has not sold the A-Class in U.S. or Canadian markets, although Canada gets the larger B-Class, a model not expected to come to the United States just yet.
07/02, 11:56 AM
posted by:
global_lightning
MB should rebadge the A-Class as a Smart Car and sell it in the US.
07/02, 11:57 AM
posted by:
Syrax
good for them. the B class has completely replaced the A here.
07/02, 12:34 PM
posted by:
400horseSS
looks like a door stop with wheels, i went to germany 3 years ago and couldnt believe the doo doo they drive over there
07/02, 1:19 PM
posted by:
Veda
The A Class has always been a total piece of ****. The car looks like dog flea and the interior is as cheap as a Honda Fit. I thought they couldn’t even bring the B class over due to failing gov safety regulations? The A Class would fare even worse.
07/02, 2:06 PM
posted by:
A4
mercedes shouldnt rebadge the A-class, it should leave it as is, and give it to us straight up. Its not a great car, but its a good way to make money with the honda fit crowd that wants a prestigous name on the front of their car. By no means is the A-class a great car, but it is a good idea that could easily positive for Merc to bring to the US, NOW the best time more than ever, as the doors for such a market are just opening.
07/02, 2:32 PM
posted by:
Stuart
kill the b-class and c-coupe with the a-class.
07/02, 3:03 PM
posted by:
LP640
^agreed Stuart
07/02, 3:16 PM
posted by:
Adrio
MB is gonna need something after the BMW 1 series comes to the US. They need something small and very fast.
07/02, 9:00 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
Thank G-d! Less classes, better quality!
07/02, 11:46 PM
posted by:
RicardoHead
Global_lightning has it almost right. Give the A class to Smart so they have a vehicle for their pussified purchasers to aspire up to. As it is … what does Smart offer now? … a POS whose style made waves when it was introduced 10 years ago, and today it just looks like outdated crap. The superficial pussies that bought Smarts then have moved on to real vehicles, and there is much better choice out there now, plus no logical purchasing progression. The joke is no longer funny – Smart has a hit once, and **** later. At least give them the A class so they can have Class A **** to sell to their retards.