Will the B-Class make it to the U.S.? - Page 4

cawimmer430 · 12-27-2006, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alx

The trend towards smaller and more fuel efficient cars has caused DaimlerChrysler to consider importing Mercedes’ small A and B-class small cars to the US. Mercedes doesn’t sell these cars in the US because of fears it would damage the luxury brand’s exclusivity. Currently, the cheapest sedan is a C230 that begins at just over US$30K, but if the smaller cars were imported they’d have to be much cheaper than this. Mercedes was previously looking at importing the B-class, but the weak dollar made the business case for it unappealing. The German carmaker has also said it’s looking for a partner to develop and manufacture its next generation small cars to help reduce costs.
BMW is also planning to bring its 1-series small car to the US, which will mean the perennial rivals will have yet another segment to fight over.

Alex, did you write this or was this a press release?

Sounds like an "old one" to me.

PHYBENZ · 12-27-2006, 12:47 PM

One little detail that may or may not show that the B Class is not coming is that on MBUSA.com the R-class is no longer under a section called Sports Tourers but instead is now classified as an SUV. Originally there was supposed to be the R and B sport tourers.

Merc1 · 12-28-2006, 12:33 AM

Yeah I noticed that too. I don't think the B is or should come here, it doesn't fit in with the image Mercedes has in the U.S. The R has been enough of a flop we don't need a smaller version.

M

cawimmer430 · 12-28-2006, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merc1

Yeah I noticed that too. I don't think the B is or should come here, it doesn't fit in with the image Mercedes has in the U.S. The R has been enough of a flop we don't need a smaller version.

M

My thoughts exactly.

far2000 · 01-31-2007, 02:56 PM

heard that Bmw will be bringing the 1 series but in 135i disguise only.. i think MB nees 2 offer an AMG version with 3.2Sc engine from C32 for the A or B class then bring it over 2 USA. should boost sales.

Mikael · 01-31-2007, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by far2000

heard that Bmw will be bringing the 1 series but in 135i disguise only.. i think MB nees 2 offer an AMG version with 3.2Sc engine from C32 for the A or B class then bring it over 2 USA. should boost sales.

350 hp and FWD? I don't think so. Customers don't want AMG versions of A/B-Class. That engine is very old anyway and AMG is giving up on supercharging.

Merc1 · 02-01-2007, 12:16 AM

No A or B in the U.S., it would be a mistake and a grand flop. Mercedes needs to concentrate on making the C better, as well as their other models already in place. They've pretty much said as much and that that intend to "make what we have work". The Mercedes name is too much to ruin it on a the A and B class vehicles. Smart is for the purpose.

M

cawimmer430 · 02-01-2007, 05:35 AM

If BMW brings over the 1-Series, the last thing MB should do is bring over the A or B-Classes. The B200 Turbo with 193-horsepower already has terrible torque steer when you slam it, forget it, this car won't touch the 1-Series.

What Mercedes should do is make the next generation C-Class Sportcoupé be the rival of the 1-Series. BMW won't bring over the 3er Compact, so the 1-Series may as well be battling it out with the C-Class Sportcoupe, which is a natural rival of the Audi A3: and the A3 has been compared to the 1-Series a lot lately.

It all fits in.

The Emperor · 02-01-2007, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmer

Customers don't want AMG versions of A/B-Class.

But I would like to see a B AMG! Couldn't care less for the crappy A, but B is a really nice car and AMG version would just be perfect!

FY MB!

You put your AMG engines in almost every single car of yours, but now when I want you to put it in B class you do nothing! Loosers!

cawimmer430 · 02-01-2007, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TycoonGTR

But I would like to see a B AMG! Couldn't care less for the crappy A, but B is a really nice car and AMG version would just be perfect!

FY MB!

You put your AMG engines in almost every single car of yours, but now when I want you to put it in B class you do nothing! Loosers!

It wouldn't work. FWD with so much power just doesn't mix. They'd have to modify the B-Class for a RWD layout and that will cost too much money - and the market for an AMG B-Class is practically non-existant. Most customers are happy with the B200 Turbo. I've driven that and it's wickedly fast, despite the torque steer.

And the A-Class isn't crappy. The old one was, the new one isn't.

12-27-2006, 12:47 PM	#32 (permalink)
PHYBENZ Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 452 Thanks: 7 Thanked 132 Times in 53 Posts	Re: Will the B-Class make it to the U.S.? One little detail that may or may not show that the B Class is not coming is that on MBUSA.com the R-class is no longer under a section called Sports Tourers but instead is now classified as an SUV. Originally there was supposed to be the R and B sport tourers.

12-28-2006, 12:33 AM	#33 (permalink)
Merc1 Contributor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Aurora IL USA Posts: 4,955 Thanks: 363 Thanked 672 Times in 346 Posts	Re: Will the B-Class make it to the U.S.? Yeah I noticed that too. I don't think the B is or should come here, it doesn't fit in with the image Mercedes has in the U.S. The R has been enough of a flop we don't need a smaller version. M

01-31-2007, 02:56 PM	#35 (permalink)
far2000 Advocate Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Swaziland Posts: 598 My Mood: Thanks: 346 Thanked 288 Times in 144 Posts	Re: Will the B-Class make it to the U.S.? heard that Bmw will be bringing the 1 series but in 135i disguise only.. i think MB nees 2 offer an AMG version with 3.2Sc engine from C32 for the A or B class then bring it over 2 USA. should boost sales.

02-01-2007, 12:16 AM	#37 (permalink)
Merc1 Contributor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Aurora IL USA Posts: 4,955 Thanks: 363 Thanked 672 Times in 346 Posts	Re: Will the B-Class make it to the U.S.? No A or B in the U.S., it would be a mistake and a grand flop. Mercedes needs to concentrate on making the C better, as well as their other models already in place. They've pretty much said as much and that that intend to "make what we have work". The Mercedes name is too much to ruin it on a the A and B class vehicles. Smart is for the purpose. M

02-01-2007, 05:35 AM	#38 (permalink)
cawimmer430 Contributor Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mühldorf am Inn, Germany Posts: 6,256 Thanks: 2,385 Thanked 1,759 Times in 835 Posts	Re: Will the B-Class make it to the U.S.? If BMW brings over the 1-Series, the last thing MB should do is bring over the A or B-Classes. The B200 Turbo with 193-horsepower already has terrible torque steer when you slam it, forget it, this car won't touch the 1-Series. What Mercedes should do is make the next generation C-Class Sportcoupé be the rival of the 1-Series. BMW won't bring over the 3er Compact, so the 1-Series may as well be battling it out with the C-Class Sportcoupe, which is a natural rival of the Audi A3: and the A3 has been compared to the 1-Series a lot lately. It all fits in.

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