Mercedes confirms B-Class coming to America
For a few years now, we've debated whether or not Mercedes-Benz would be bringing its entry-level A-Class or the slightly bigger B-Class to the States. Fine cars both, but how well they'd fit into M-B's luxury image was a big question mark. Well, according to Bloomberg, DaimlerChrysler AG has made a decision. Mercedes is indeed planning on bringing the new B Stateside. Benz officials said the company is designing a North American version of the car for the first time. So that's the good news. The bad news is that it will likely be 2011 or 2012 before that model is set for replacement, which is most likely when our version will appear. Bigger than an Aveo but smaller than a Corolla, this B-Class mini-crossover would join a segment of luxury-economy cars that includes the Audi A3 and upcoming BMW 1-Series. Even with recent dips in gas prices, high mileage vehicles seem like they will be a more popular choice for buyers for years to come. The current B, although not a huge seller, is already available in Canada, so Mercedes has some data on whether or not it might work. But with such a long lead time, anything can happen, and there's still a chance M-B could reconsider. We say bring it on. Who wouldn't want the Mercedes of economy cars? That is unless a smart car makes enough sense for your needs.
[Source: Bloomberg]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
James 3:17PM (7/25/2007)
How to trash your brand image 101, taught by Herr Doktor Benz.
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J.Crew 3:24PM (7/25/2007)
I live in Canada and this thing is looked at as the Mercedes Vibe. Although I am sure it works well as a city car I can't see it being popular in the mainstream sense of it all.
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... 3:24PM (7/25/2007)
Wtf is this? I thought the purpose of small cars was to be cheap, because the people who buy them can't or don't want to pay more.
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2o6 3:28PM (7/25/2007)
Why not? What's wrong with having more creature comforts in a Small car?
If it isn't TOO pricey (Under $20,000) it could do well.
... 3:48PM (7/25/2007)
For a lot of people 20k is fairly expensive, when they can get a civic, corolla, focus, etc. for around 14/15k. They probably aren't going to spend another 5k just because they want a nicer interior. Thats why dodge caravans sell so well. Some new families can't afford what have been rated as higher quality minivans (odyssey, sienna), so they go for what is cheap and functional.
OC Rider 9:38PM (7/25/2007)
$20K is too cheap for an upscale car. This isn't like a Dino; this is a Mercedes that would retail for what a Civic runs for. Logic would tell you to jump on the Civic because the Benz is a misery to own. It'd spend more time in the service center than in your garage.
ChaoZ 3:38PM (7/25/2007)
Agreed with the above, these cars are complete crap and does nothing more than tarnish the silver arrow. I'm not against the size, I even prefer small cars, but not when they look like that, perform like that and are priced like that (CDN$29,900 for the 134hp, CDN$33,900 for the 193hp Turbo).
I have to say though, the cars are proving to be a big draw for the poseur crowd. There are several on my street alone, and I don't live in a rich area. A much better alternative is the VW GTI or even the Volvo C30 if you can do with two doors.
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carguy 3:45PM (7/25/2007)
The current A and B class make Daewoo econo-boxes look like a Lexus. Cheap build, harsh ride and small noisy engines. The next B better be a big improvement over the current model or MB will damage it brand image.
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Tool 4:02PM (7/25/2007)
IF they do it right, I say go for it. The problem Mercedes-Benz has had is when it dips too low with a crappy product (e.g. the C-class coupe).
If they bring a premium B-class to the U.S. up against the A3 and the 1-series it would make perfect sense.
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1337 11:22AM (7/26/2007)
I cannot imagine customers seeing the 1-series and B-class as competitors, especially if the 1-series is only available as a 2-door. The 1-series is small and fast, while the B-class is a people hauler.
Mattias 4:03PM (7/25/2007)
Has anyone complaining about the current A- and B-class' quality ever driven one? Especially the B class is a properly designed car with very high build quality. And while the first gen A class disappointed with too narrow seats etc. MB learned and increased quality. Now quality and materials are slightly better than on small Audis, the engines are quiet and refined.
Unfortunately, A and B class are too expensive and they suffer from a bad image: Many of them are bought by old people who owned and old C class before switching to the car with the higher seating position. And younger people are not willing to pay 5000 to 10000€ more for a better sound when closing the doors or for slightly more sophisticated engines. Young people who want a sportier car go for a BMW 1 series and those who prefer FWD often opt for Audi or Volvo.
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tbirdkatz 4:04PM (7/25/2007)
Mercedes is just trying to compete with the A3and Bmw 1 series. I say let them join in. There will always be people who would rather pay more so they can drive a luxury brand car when in reality, an A3 2.0T goes for about $30,000, or the price of a loaded Altima, Camry, or Accord. Personally, I'd rather have a 270hp sedan than an under 200hp hatchback. Also, as somebody above stated, a VW GTI would be a much wiser choice.
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BILL 4:15PM (7/25/2007)
Good news! We can use more "B" class here in America. It seems like all I am encountering is "F" class everywhere I go except McDonalds. They are still selling quarter pounders in the face of the fat police, many of which frequent the establishment wearing paper bags over their heads so no one will recognize them.
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Colin Smith 4:11PM (7/25/2007)
I don't think Americans understand small cars at all.
This Mercedes isn't particularly small, in European terms, but it is very roomy, and a good car for people who want ease of entry and a good view out, plus good space in a fairly small volume.
It is the engineering that costs the money in cars, not the total steel used, and for this reason smaller doesn't necessarily mean cheaper.
Poseurs, and clever people, will buy this car in the States, and size queens will stick to the Fords, GM stuff and BMWs, and wonder at the price of these odd-looking Mercedes. And wonder, probably, why Mercedes doesn't only produce booted (trunked) saloons (sedans).
They'd have a fit if they discovered that the company produces an E Class Taxi, and makes vans and trucks in large numbers as well.
There are many odd-looking (un-trunked) alternatives to this Benz in Europe, so we needn't pay so much for the same result.
I, like many Europeans, have a sound ego and so I couldn't care less about my image as perceived by people I don't know, but, if my personal needs were for a comfortable, easy to access and drive medium sized car, and I lived in a congested American city, and I had money to burn, I might well buy this B Class.
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jim 4:19PM (7/25/2007)
There is no reason that a small car should also be an inexpensive one. Whether the B-class meets the markets expectation of value will be determined by the perceived quality not by how much it weighs. With higher corporate average fuel economy standards coming MB, BMW and the other luxury brands have the same need to lure buyers into cars getting better mileage as Detroit does.
This being said, I believe that the A & B-Class in the US should be branded Smarts and sold alongside the FourTwo through the Penske channel.
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sirAQUAMAN64 4:20PM (7/25/2007)
Live in Canada, and LOVE the B-Class.
I contemplated purchasing a B Turbo, but was just too expensive. Instead bought a 2007 VW GTI (replacing a Golf TDI), as it had all the features I wanted (roof, HIDs, wheels) at a decent price.
However, I'm nearly positive my next car will be a tall hatch/wagon like the B-Class or Golf Plus. I don't fit in an A3, and flat-out love the packaging in the B. It's very smart. Lots of great touches, feels and drives well, good power/fuel economy trade-off, pana roof, and beautifully compact yet roomy inside. Uber smart.
They are selling quite well up here.
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adb 4:29PM (7/25/2007)
Let's get the facts straight, boys and girls...
"The B-class, available in Europe since 2005, is due for redesign in 2011 or 2012 and prototypes include a model that would meet North American regulatory requirements,"
This only means, in essence, that, if they can get the business case (sales volume, currency exchange) to work. Remember, the current B Class was supposed to come here (it was shown @ the Detroit Auto Show), but then was dropped for financial reasons. It is by no means confirmed.
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Kumar 6:18PM (7/25/2007)
I think it was the '05 show.
It still kills me when people write about a smaller benz tarnishing the image. It's those same people that conveniently forget that people drive benz taxicabs in Germany and many other countries.
I thought Benz was thinking ahead and taking a chance with a small diesel. Too bad Audi saturated the market for the pricey hatches already.
I forgot about that B class long ago, and patiently wait (while smoking the pipe big time) for an A3 diesel.
psarhjinian 5:11PM (7/25/2007)
It's being sold in Canada now, and Canada has stricter crash regulations than the US (note: we don't get the Evo for precisely this reason--it can't pass Canada's bumper bash test).
The reason this car (and the Smart ForTwo) don't exist in the US is purely marketing. Mercedes cannot justify the cost to import, promote and service versus the poor take-up rate in the US. Even limiting it to states it might see acceptance in (California, New York, Washington, etc) would be too expensive. With gas prices falling and people starting to come to grips with "Bigger Does Not Necessarily Mean Safer", there's now a market for the B.
Canada gets the B. I've driven one and it's nice--much nicer, in some ways, than the last C-Class. You certainly get more people space and more amenities for the dollar with the B and, with the B200 Turbo, you get a faster car than the sad-sack C240. If I'd had the money (and I trusted Mercedes not to build cars with reliability problems) I'd have bought one.
Wojtek 4:40PM (7/25/2007)
Oooh, I'm so sorry for you, dear American friends. Believe me, this one is really big a PoS prepared (not) especially for you in Stuttgart, Germany.
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