erm…heh

It’s not selling particularly well in Europe, Mybe they need to expand its market. Its already on sale in Canada and Mexico. A Class seems a better al around package

I used to have an internship at MB in New Jersey and there were a bunch of these parked around. They’re not too bad. They could use a few adjustments exterior wise. Not exactly sure what versions (performance wise) were brought over because all were debadged and had some camo on.

I saw one with Michigan manufacturer plates a few weeks ago at the Woodward Dream Cruise in suburban Detroit. First one I’d seen in the US (I’ve seen a number in Canada and a few in Europe).

I think it’s a great looking car and I would very seriously consider one. It’s in my price range and it’s a neat, very Euro-centric shape.

Ehhh I don’t know if you thought the R-Class was a failure, and it was a spectacular failure, I think the B-class will be worse.

It also looks too much like a Xa

http://www.edmunds.com/media/reviews/top10/06.most.fuel.efficient/06.scion.xa.f34.500.jpg

http://www.direct-vehicle-leasing.net/images/car_images/mercedes%20b%20class.jpg

is this yet ANOTHER crossover?
i can’t really make out what type of car it is.. not for me though

its a 5 door hatchback not a cross over. slightly taller than the average hatchback thats all, Like a VW Golf Plus (what a waste of time that car is)

[...] Article Link [...]

I thought the A and B Class couldn’t make it to US due to failing the safety regulations. The B Class is an interesting vehicle though while the A is not a very good car.

I’d like to see it. I like 5 door hatchbacks

Why do you think the A class is not a very good car? It was quite innovative when first produced and MB has sold well over a million.

I don’t think the A Class would sell at all in the US but European safety regulations are very similar to US regulations so that wouldn’t be a problem. Tight margins would be tho.

They sell this in Canada already. It is a POS.

Well if dcx can get europeans to buy Calibers than they can get Americans to buy this

M-B USA needs to bring the G-Class Cabrio that they sell in Spain. Just for ****s and giggle.

How much would this cost?

another piece of junk from mercedes

Why shouldn’t it be imported here? Look, this is a business question. It’s already being sold in North America ( Canada and Mexico), and as Mercedes Benz has eyed Audi with envy on the success of the A3 – thus effectively breaking the “No hatchbacks in the U.S” curse, it has realized they already have a vehicle in their stables ready to go. It has european panache, a three pointed star – unlike the Smart TwoforTwo, and gets great gas mileage, and is sporty to drive. Introducing cars in this country is all about timing. Just ask GM about the wisdom of pinning their hopes on big SUVs just when gas prices hit the three dollar mark. Even MB’s own R class raises a questionmark in most minds, just as soccer moms were getting used to the Pacifica. But, the B class is a no- brainer. Americans will buy sporty, fun, small Euro-centric cars. Think Mini, A3 and gray market Smarts. And Scion and the Prius prove that design and performance trump the small and hatchback curses. America needs this car. As we need a 1 series BMW. Why should the Europeans have all the fun? or the Canadians either, for that matter.

Hal, the interior quality of the A Class is so horrendous that someone I know was asking what kind of car she’s in because she thought it was some cheap unknown korean model. It was nighttime and she didn’t know it’s a Benz. Seriously the Honda Fit has better interior than the A Class and the seats are way WAY more comfortable. The style has also referred to as the “bug” as in similar to a dog tick. The people I know who bought it are rich college girls or poor guys who can only afford the cheapest MB. I heard about the safety regulation issue from a MB fan in US 2 years ago. Who knows maybe the new model would pass.

Johnjohn, MB needs to consider the failure of the C hatchback before bringing any similar sized car to US. Maybe the buying public’s taste has changed over the years who knows…

Noone needs the BMW 1 Series

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf5769T-VyQ

veda you are thinking of the old model A class, the current generation has a great interior

“M-B USA needs to bring the G-Class Cabrio that they sell in Spain. Just for ****s and giggle.”

Their strategy to reduce cost and control quality last time I heard was to reduce the number of models as much as possible. But they’ve been bringing out new classes of vehicles such as the R and CLS. They’re gambling too much already IMO. They haven’t taken care of the quality issue of the C Class yet and I don’t think anything smaller than the C will sell well in the long run, they need to focus on their reputation.

Bonquisha Jackson, fair enough but ergonomics are still a problem as the driver’s seat can’t be adjusted to a comfortable position when I tested it. Some of the plastic pieces felt cheap as well. Better styling on the outside though. At least not as buggy looking.

“Noone needs the BMW 1 Series”

Drive one and see for yourself. Great handling and brakes, a good upgrade from the Fit as it has light steering. I wouldn’t mind using one or an A3 as they are better in crowded city streets.

A3 isn’t as great a drivers car as the one series but it says you have quiet good taste and you don’t need the BMW badge to get by.

Bonquisha, the last time I drove an A3 was in the Audi Driving Experience event and I got to test the car to its limits doing a number of tests. I was quite impressed by its performance but I have agree that the 1 series is downright a better car both inside out. A 1 year used one is quite cheap too, if only I don’t have too many cars parked around right now…

MB on CRACK!

This car might have been caught during the test session for a new engine or something else. I just want to say that it doesn’t necessarily means that the B-class is going to be launched in the US. If MB wants to bring a MINI competitor, they would have brought the A-class, which would have been a better fighter in this class for MB USA.

Agreed Martin. I think it was just a test bed or they were using the hot temps to test it for other markets.

No way either of them would sell in the US. Even trying would cheapen the brand too much. Over here in Germany it is common to see an E-Class with cloth interior and plastic wheel covers so they cover a broader price/image range over here.

I’d have to say I like the B better…but from what I see on the street I am sure the A sells better. The A-class 2-door is cool…but also a rare sight.

The other thing….OOO “spy shots” of a car that has been on sale for more than a year.