Report: Mercedes to Import A- and B-Class
According to a new article in Automotive News, Mercedes-Benz chairman Dieter Zetsche has indicated that America will likely receive the next A-class and B-class. As you may recall, the latter was scheduled for U.S. consumption earlier, but plans were scuttled due to the weak dollar.
With rising fuel prices driving up demand for small cars in America, Mercedes is evidently reevaluating the business plan for the front-drive subcompacts. The next generation models are due in 2011, and the lineup is expected to see both a coupe and a small crossover variant.
It is unclear whether the next A and B will arrive commensurate with their European counterparts or whether all models in the range will make the trip to U.S. shores, but with flat sales of some of Mercedes’ more profit-rich models like the M-class, officials at the Three-Pointed Star are obviously keen to grab downsizing buyers, and perhaps grab a few premium-minded buyers who might otherwise be looking at the Toyota Prius for a green statement.
Is this a good move? Drop us a line in 'Comments.'
+ Automotive News:Â Mercedes expects U.S. sales to fall; B class may come in 2011 (subscription may be required)
Comments
JDickson
I don't see how the A class and B fit in with MB's desired image in the US. In Europe, everything is a mercedes, but here, there are no semi's, no vans, nothing like that, and I don't think this would fly with those who like the premium image a mercedes carries here. We'll see what they could sell it for, but I doubt they could be too competitive on price either. Of course, I bet the GL, G, S, or anything big is selling so hot these days, so maybe they'll do it anyways. Desperate times call for desperate measures, right?
Ducati Minor
I welcome the smaller Benzes, but your point is a valid one--and one that has been argued for years here in the States.
One should remember that the notion of a Porsche SUV was absurd seven years ago (and, to some, still so); but a large percentage of Porsche sales were from its Cayenne sport-ute. Â
Anonymous
I hate the so-called logic used by automakers.
"Americans don't like hatchbacks." So they stop making hatchbacks.
Which means that for years we couldn't BUY hatchbacks, which only reinforced their contention that we don't like hatchbacks.
Same with these MBs. How do they know what the reception will be if we don't have access? Yes, I know...market research and focus groups. But those always produce distorted results.
Totally circular and idiotic.
A committee is an organism with six or more legs and no brain.
Would I buy a MB A or B class? If it met my personal needs, you bet! But it'd have to outdo my Honda Fit first.
Anonymous
I love hatchbacks...
My first car was a CRX, Honda killed that.
My next hatchback is a M/B C230 Sport Coupe. I love this car. The mileage is getting up there and I'd very much like it if M/B were to bring the new version of my car. Its called the CLC Coupe. AND the base price of $25K w/ 50K bumper-to-bumper was well worth the price.
http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/content/unitedkingdom/mpc/mpc_unitedking...
I'll buy this in a heartbeat!
oollyoumn
I must have been in a different Europe. Plenty of Semis, vans, trucks, etc. Small utility vans are everywhere and dual trailer semis are frequently on relatively small side streets. MB are common, but probably less than 20% market share outside of Germany.
Anonymous
This will totally fly in California, where we already have Mercedes vans, lots of Mini's and Smart cars, five makes of electric cars, and lots of small, grey-market cars. People here are willing and able to pay a premium, and prefer small cars. Maybe Mercedes should sell them only in select parts of the country.
Logan Johnson
I agree with this in a way.In America Mercedes is thought of a luxury high end brand, none of there vans, busses, etc. I think this would tarnish their image in America. It might be interesting if they rebadged them as a Smart. Who knows. Whatever sells these days I guess!
Kevin
I fully agree with you as such smaller versions will spoil the premium image.
Mercedez should discard A or B series and ristrict lower saloon category upto C series.
Mercedez still turns heads but smaller versions would bring her to Japanese category.
Reader
Are you fucking stupid? Dumb ass Americans like you need to get outside of your country - A and B class Mercs sell very nicely in Europe where gas is $7 a gallon and we actually give a shit about the environment. Just coz America wants to rape this earth, does not mean every other country does. Get a life, loser!
drbill
Dear JD, i understand what you state, but having just gotten back from a driving course in Germany, the A and B classes are excellent small cars and would allow YOUNGER people to get into the MERCEDES brand in these Great little cars. I have had 8 different MBs... I am considering going to Canada to buy a B class. Join MBCA for fun.
Anonymous
I am in Canada and own a 2006 B200. A recent trip to Florida had lots of heads turning and positive comments. The 6.4 litres per hundred kilometers at 100 Kilometers per Hour ( 6.9L at 120 Km/h ) doesn't hurt either.
Anonymous
I think that Mercedes needs to get off the bigger, heavier, more hp kick and give us their vehicles more in line with my 1983 240D that I cannot yet replace (with stick shift). Bringing in the A and B lines plus the lower priced C lines, LIKE the C250 4 cylinder diesel with 6 speed stick shift is the way to go if they expect me to buy another Benz. Otherwise, I'm going to a VW or Acura TSX or Honda Accord.
The ole 240D had an oil puddle this morning. May be the transmission is leaking. Also needs the timing chain replaced to bring the valve timing back to new car spec (and performance and mpg). Not sure I want to spend the money on it, but right now the VW Jetta is the only stick shift diesel available.
mo
I live in canada and the B-class is already here. how often I see it...... really really rare. It isn't as popular as any other MB. This is canada were the pockets and the streets are smaller, in the US it is probably gonna last for a year then they will get back to their common sense.
Gary Gaertner
'They' said the Smart would not do well here either (a small MB product) - but there is a 2 year waiting list... And a friend of mine who got hers, was one of the initial buyers who paid the $99 to be on the waiting list, got her new Smartfortwo for $14000, drove it a few months, then sold it for $20,000! I have wanted an A class Benz for years. We can not get them here. I think ALOT of buyers would welcome the chance to drive a Mercedes in a lower price range. There is a certain stigma attached to the larger MBs that would not be there with the smaller, friendlier, less pretentious ones. Bring em on!
Mena
With sufficient deamnd, ANY car can have a waiting list. I was on a waiting list for my car for a year. Now you can go down to the local dealership and pick one up. Once everyone that wants one gets it, demand will settle down and you'll see them sitting on lots like every other car.
Rod Panhard
How long ago was it that Mercedes-Benz management said the Smart Car was coming, then it was not coming, then it was coming? Let's see...when I bought my Mercedes-Benz about four years ago, my local Mercedes-Benz dealer had already been informed that they couldn't sell Smart Cars in the showroom with the new cars. However, they could sell them in the used car showroom. So that's what they had planned.
Then Mercedes-Benz pulled the plug on Smart. Then they changed their minds and let Penske set up sales and distribution. There are only two Smart dealerships within 25 miles of me, and my Mercedes-Benz dealer is not one of them. One of them has the Smart Cars in the showroom with the new Benz's, albeit off to the side, sort of like they're in quarantine. That's in Manhattan. The other, well, it's too far to go look, just for curiosity's sake.
Point being, Mercedes-Benz doesn't know what to do about the US market, other than sell luxury cars. I'm willing to bet good money that the A class and B class will wind up for sale in the US, but probably as the "move up" cars for Smart. It seems like the Smart cars are doing well, but how long can that last?
I've seen the B class Mercedes-Benz, a Canadian version. As amusing as this little package is, a new one still costs as much as a low-mileage, just off-lease C-Class that comes with a pretty substantial warranty. Selling the B class would be a real difficult value proposition on a Mercedes-Benz lot.
Shawn
I think most MB/Smart owners/prospective buyers would agree that MB's market plan for the US in the high mileage vehicle market is painfully erratic. However as 1 of the only 2 US owners of a B I would buy another one of these vehicles in an instant! Its performance (~100hp/L), ride, room & comfort, and flexibiltiy surpass that of my ML and CLK BY FAR!
I would bet 1 year salary that if MB brought the B in both the gas and diesel versions to the US they could sell more than their top 2 models COMBINED!
JAV
If MB Exec's were "smart" they'd select a half dozen specific markets to bring in both the A and B Class cars. I don't think you'll see them in OK or KS... but in high traffic areas with populations; i.e. NY, LA, Chicago, Houston, Phili, Phoenix... etc. they'd sell enough to make a business case. I know that "Detroit" (American Auto knukleheads) don't know their back sides from a hot rock and will be forever trying to figure out what the "consumer" really wants. Oil has backed off, but will that last? And there will be more drillig, but MB has product that can be delivered now. In my book, that makes some good sense. That Three Pointed Star has been around for a long time... I not so sure about some American brands...
Mena
Are you going to buy one when they arrive here?
Amori
I have a MB 560 SEL and bought a MB Coupe Kompressor. I really don't understand why MB Management stopped producing the MB Coupe at a time when smaller cars were coming out of the market. Almost all brands of cars have small sports cars. I liked the performance of the MB Coupe and the gas mileage.
I sold my MB Coupe and purchased the Chrysler Crossfire which has an MB engine. Again they have stopped producing this sports car at a time when the hondas, toyotas, audis, gm's and others are bringing out their small sports cars. MB does not also advertise much of these models. They are all good cars and good for the younger market. They just need to be advertised....
Mena
The Crossfire had terrible sales which why they were cancelled. You don't keep building a car that doesn't sell. You could get some awesome deals on them right before they went belly up though.
DCCurmudgeon
The smaller the better!
Anonymous
I work for Daimler AG in America and was very happy to hear I will have the option to buy a small MB as currently I was just looking at the BMW 1 series. High quality car, fun to drive, decent mileage. I'm 6'2" and have never liked driving big cars nor do I like the bloated image that goes with gas hogs, whether it's 2008 or 1998. Go MB!!!
cxv
MB should sell these cars here under the Smart brand since our market is not ready for them and neither the dealerships. Smart used to have a full line of cars in Europe so maybe the could try that over here with the smaller Benz.
LA guy
Good news on the A and B class. I have no doubt that within 5 years or so the auto product mix on the streets of the US will be radically transformed, to be much more like what we see in Europe. I agree w/DCCurmdgeon: the smaller the better.
I would love it if we had the Fiat 500, plus several Renaults and Peugeots as well, in this country. I drive an Audi now and as much as I love it, I've changed my ideas about what's important. Now, it's efficiency and the idea of spending $30K+ again on a vehicle that barely ekes out 25mph just makes no sense to me any more.
rdn
I have driven the Class A in Italy many times and have found it to be a wonderful car......one I would love to own here in the states if they can keep the price down. For years I have been bugging the Benz folks to send it over here and in return they place me on a mailing list for expensive cars for which i have no interest...........as long as they can sell expensive cars here they will continue to be tone deaf to the needs of people who prefer to drive a smaller car at a decent price.
Yobear42
Not saying that exotic are never coming back, but now is a chance to re-think the concept of how and what is built vs the economics of the time. If I was a leading manufactoure I would be looking for small cars that are sporty and fun to drive not just green and economical...if you just concentrate on the green and economical you just might end up with some sriously bland stuff that won't appeal to many....
Anonymous
I don't see any reason why MB cant sell these cars in the US. I live in the DC Metro area and I see plenty of Smart cars on the road every day. I'm certain there are plenty of buyers who wouldn't be seen in a Yaris but would like to have a highly efficient car with out tarnishing their class pretense.
Iain P W Robertson
What I have always failed to comprehend is Merc's insistence that it should be 'all things to all vehicle people'. Surely the company learned something about its failed association with Chrysler Corp? It DOES NOT DO MASS VOLUME! Merc is a luxury carmaker. Here in Europe, its products have a broad acceptability, but it remains a premium carmaker. The A-Class is the right idea to introduce new consumers to the brand and to give the new owners an opportunity to place a 3-Pointed-Star on their driveways. However, the B-Class, as a grown-up A-Class, has never worked in the UK. In fact, as clever as its alloy-sandwich floor and its modest packaging are, it predominates as a taxi at European airports! Smart is another mess that Merc cannot clear up effectively, despite rationalising it to just the fortwo model. As soon as Merc takes its eye off the ball, to use a soccer analogy, its game goes to pot! Reliability falters. The product starts to look lame, when it really should not. Mercedes-Benz has always produced entry-level models but they have seldom been successful at less than current C-Class or equivalent level. Mercedes-Benz should stick to what it knows and knows well and not be diverted from its true purpose. I think that selling both A and B-Class models in North America will be a major error from which it will struggle to recover this time. Think on, Merc! Think on Herr Zetsche!
Diesel Don
The A Class would be a great drive here in the congested traffic of Honolulu. I now drive a VW Golf TDI. I will carry 5 passengers AND with the rear seat folded a consideable amount of cargo. With automatic and air conditioning it achieves 35 mpg average. It is over 8 years old, and I sure would like an A Class as its replacement, which I think will do everything my current Golf does and more! Mercedes-Benz, PLEASE import the A Class within the next 2 years!
Sputnik 3000
How are you getting 35 m.p.g. in an 8 year old golf with an automatic transmission?
I have a '98 Mark III Golf, well maintained, with a stick shift and only get 24 m.p.g. around town and 32 m.p.g. on the highway. Let me know your secret!
Mena
He has the diesel Golf.
Anonymous
It's that little "TDI" on the end that allows the VW to achieve 35+ MPG.
Hint TDI = Diesel
PCPaul
Uh..it is a diesel. Dude, come on.
Anonymous
You have obviously never driven a TDI diesel and probably don't know what torque means. TDI is a different world that what you know from a Dodge pickup. But never mind, ignorance is said to be a virtue of the uneducated ...
ARZA
The A and B Classes would be great "island" cars!
Cristiana
As fuel-efficient as these models may be, I remain sceptical. While, as another commentator has pointed out, they may have some appeal among upscale U.S. city-dwellers, that market might be too limited to make a valid business case. Europeans have a long history of tiny cars, but generally drive far shorter distances, on much narrower streets and roads, than do Americans. Fuel costs have indeed caused U.S. drivers to adjust their driving habits, and to give m.p.g. more weight in their vehicle purchasing decisions. But don't expect that to automatically translate to a new hunger for tiny cars.
Pat
We need to keep "large" cars off these Hawaiian islands! The class A and B Benzs seem to be just the car for th up scale drivers here, instead of these large stretch limos one sees driving around with just a couple of people in them. Additionally, Pacific Biodiesel is located here and provides biodieselfuel for vehicles with diesel engines. Diesel A and B class with diesel engines is just the thing for Hawaii! Keep Hawaii GREEN and moving.
Semi
Like any state in the Union, Hawaii can legislate the amount of large vehicles on the island. Hawaii could have users "justify" their ownership of a SUV on the islands, or they could tax based on vehicle weight, or do annually emission tests and charge accordingly. AND, give state tax breaks for owners of low-emission and hybrid vehicles.
Send a letter to your state representatives and senators.
Anonymous
Surley you are barking up the wrong tree! It is not only on the Islands where Amercians drive these huge gass guzling heaps. USA uses the most gass in the world. I wonder what is the root cause? Not only do the majority of the cars and trucks (sorry SUV) that are seen in the states look so huge but they are like driving a boat sitting in a lounge chair. - Sorry just back and had a nice american company car-. Good luck to all of you
linebiz
I drive a large gmc denali pickup I would invite you to stay with me on a tight mountain road here in LA route # 2 from the antelope valley to La canada with your wonderful little euro cars.
Smarterthnu
Linebiz;
Sorry, have to totally disagree with you. why? I own both a Suburban and a Range Rover, but a year and half ago I added the Yaris Hatchback....can you guess why. First, based on this thread, it drives 100% better than the Smart Car which I tried when they were doing demos in our area; slow, rough ride, awkward transmission and only holds two people. For less money I bought the Yaris, changed the suspension and tires and wheels and I've done nothing to the engine. Just came back from a business trip through New England and up into Canada and back through Detroit to New England. I can assure you that it can keep up and surpass both my other cars, including your Denali on the back roads and mountains. the problem is that most people who make comments like yours have not driven any of the newer small cars. it's not like it was over ten or more years ago when you turned the AC on these small engines they just died. this is not the case any more. these small cars, in many instances, are very refined and quiet on the Highway. the Yaris has both electric steering and liquid filled engine mount, normally found on more upscale cars.
Don't speak unless you've tried
leigh
I live in Vancouver. The smart has been a huge success here. They are everywhere, and the B-class, while slow to catch on, is now a big seller. People love the prestige, and it has all the features of my new E350 - same nav, computer displays, panorama roof. If it didn't have FWD, I would have bought one. The new C is so popular here there is a CANADA ONLY version, the C230 with a 2.5L V6. Hopefully we will get the small diesels soon. The A and B class WILL sell in the US. Nobody realizes it yet. My prediction. Just look at the smart!
Anonymous
Surley you are barking up the wrong tree! It is not only on the Islands where Amercians drive these huge gass guzling heaps. Not only do the majority of the cars and trucks (sorry SUV) that are seen in the states look so huge but they are like driving a boat sitting in a lounge chair. - Sorry just back from the states and had a nice big american company car. Try an AUDI, BMW or if you have to a MB. USA uses the most gass in the world. I wonder what is the cause is? -. Good luck and God bless all of you living in your "American Dream"
Mena
More accurately, the US used to be the largest importer of oil in the world. That doesn't translate to largest gas usage though. Also, large cars aren't the most popular either. The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are (were) the most sold in the US, traditionally, with the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla/Matrix right behind them.
And to address your American Dream comment. Most of us are indeed living the American Dream despite some bad decisions by an albeit smaller group of Americans. The American press is not the best source of information on how were are really doing here. Most of us are paying our bills on time and are not in huge amounts of debt but we never get any press here. That's just too boring I guess.
I suggest you study American culture and traditions before forming an opinion on us. While you were using your company car here in the US, you could've taken the time to talk to us, visit some of our towns and cities, and gotten a good view of Americans. When I was in the military, I always made it a point to talk with the locals to get a feel of how the average person thinks and feels because it's ALWAYS different from what you see on TV.
Anonymous
Actually, the US burns 1 our of every 4 barrels of oil produced in the world. That's 25%, a lot when consider that you have less than 5% of the world's population. Much of that goes into transportation. The fuel economy of the American fleet of cars and light trucks is 25.3 mpg. In Europe the average fuel economy is 47% better. If you travel to Europe it is striking to see all the very small cars, many with highly efficient diesel engines. Over there a VW Golf looks like a sensible family car and then when you come back to N. America it seems impossibly small. It's all about perceptions. I live in Vancouver where we see lots of Smart cars and B200s. I would buy a B200 in a heartbeat if they were available with a diesel engine. In the meantime, I have ordered a Jetta tdi and a Prius (hedging my bets that either gasoline or diesel will be rationed in the near future).
Semi
The "American Dream" is everyone's dream. It's to own your dwelling, have a job you enjoy doing, being free to marry who you want, have as many kids as you want (or not), get justice when you've been wronged, and live free of government oppression. Who in the world does not want that?
That said, why waste money buying a German import for your company fleet when a Malibu, Fusion, or Avenger would do just fine. There are many domestic marques that can do the job cheaply and, contrary to popular belief, are reliable and long-lasting.
In Cuba, 1950s American cars are still on the road. The Russian Ladas of the 1970s no so much. In the USA, I'd like to see the numbers of 60s Beetles currently registered compared a popular 60s American car. The Beetle sold in the millions so we've be giving VW a headstart.
Anonymous
A & B class cars, good idea. I don't understand why they have put the effort into that rediculous Smart car? The A100 and Bclass cars at least can keep their own in the city or the hiway. Just don't ask $50,000 for one!
Shark715
Here's my prediction (and I know some or most of you will not agree with me)...once gas prices find there natural level at about $3.00, much of the current "pain" due to rapid price increases will long be forgotten because gas prices on a historical basis will be fairly "normal". So long as gas prices and supplies are fairly predictable, 5 years from now we will be back on the road to many of us buying larger vehicles, becuase that's what we love. History will repeat itself. What's the right way to wean us off foreign oil? Announce today that effective 1/1/2010 that an additonal $1 federal fuel tax will commence, and that it will increase $1.00 each year until fuel costs $10.00 per gallon. The natural market forces will adjust to the price of fuel, there won't be any "price shocks" like what we just went through because everyone will have ample warning of what is coming, economic incentives to develop more fuel efficent and alternative fuel vehicles will be "automatic", the tax will balance the federal budget and later enable other taxes to be reduced or eliminated, our oil usage will dramtically decrease, the international trade inbalance will be dramatically improved, and we will reduce the money we are pumping into oil producing countries by tens of billions and keep it for ourselves. Do McCain or Obama have the political courage to propose a higher tax? Unfortunately probably not. They are more concerned about being elected than doing what is right for our country.
Gary
Yes, Shark, that's just what the people need: a government drunk on our money. They don't have enough tax dollars now to waste on stupid social workers and other lazy bureaucrats. And if you think they would "give" any of it back, you are living in a parallel universe. Yes, indeed: let's give the alcoholic all the booze he can carry, and guarantee all he can drink, forever.
Do you eat? Do you know how to farm? With a stick? Got land? Got seed? If not, stop demonizing oil; you're adding to the problem.
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