Mercedes-Benz considering A-Class roadster for the States
Click above for high-res gallery of the Mercedes-Benz SLA Concept
Rumors that the Mercedes-Benz A-Class may come to America have been swirling around for years. The question revolves around whether or not the car is consistent with the image in the U.S. that MB has worked so hard to cultivate for years. As an economy car, the A-Class clashes with the rest of the brand's upscale line-up and doesn't seem appropriate to put in the same dealership where upper-crusters are shopping for the latest S-Class. One possible remedy could be reducing the number of seats and the losing the car's top, an idea first broached by the SLA Concept (above) that debuted in 2000. A roadster would make sense for the German automaker, as BMW, its main rival, is rumored to be thinking hard about launching a similarly-small Z2 roadster based on its 1 Series platform. Although production plans have already been considered, no decisions have been made. The next redesign of the A- and B-Class from Mercedes is scheduled for 2012, so there's still plenty of time to get it all sorted.
Gallery: Mercedes-Benz SLA Concept
[Source: Autoweek]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
I-man 3:35PM (12/05/2008)
lol.
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Luis 4:55PM (12/05/2008)
I hope that by "rumors swirling around" they mean down the toilet...
happy_penguin 3:37PM (12/05/2008)
Wait.... the strut bearing plate has become a visual design feature? One more question, WHY?
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Torrent 3:41PM (12/05/2008)
hahaha
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Kumar 3:41PM (12/05/2008)
There's pretty much two ways for BMW and MB to look at small cars in the US
1. Less expensive extras and more of an entry point into the Brand for those that need an everyday car.
2. More expensive, more features, less practical for multiple uses, keeps up brand image.
They unfortunately keep missing the boat on these smaller cars. They *could* be an excellent brand starter car for families strapped for cash if they were 4 door sedans or 5 door hatches. MB came close with the B series that never made it. Instead, we have 2 door coupes and convertibles that are more or less a car for a single person, or a second car, neither of which is entirely practical for someone thinking of buying a car in this economy.
While the Audi A3 doesn't sell giant numbers, it's more of a practical do-it-all car that can be the sole car for a family before they can afford those coupes,convertibles,etc.
I was hoping BMW would learn after that 2 door monstrosity in the 90s, but we have yet to see the 5 door 1 series statesite (love it or hate it, it's a good starter all around car for a BMW).
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Soccer Mom 3:46PM (12/05/2008)
B-class (at least in the N.America) was killed by its price. Why would anyone buy a mini-minivan with nothing exceptional (aside from the badge), paying twice as much as for Mazda 5, for instance, which is more practical, larger, just as fun to drive and can be better equipped and still come under 70% of the basic MB price tag.
On the side note, if either BMW or MB start building less expensive every day cars, they will dilute the brand image build over the decades. No sales will compensate for the brand value loss.
Soccer Mom 3:42PM (12/05/2008)
Looks great, actually. Love MB designs.
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Red 4:14PM (12/05/2008)
Out of curiosity, do you live someplace they've legalized weed? Or is has your drinking water been tested for moonshine?
spacegravity4me 1:56PM (12/06/2008)
i love it too actually. I loved it when it came out (the concept) and eight years later we STILL don't have cars that look that cool... I'd drive that every day for the rest of my life!
SPF 3:45PM (12/05/2008)
ROFL
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1970Dodge 4:00PM (12/05/2008)
Why has that thing never been a batmobile??
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Serge 4:08PM (12/05/2008)
Last time I checked Batman is not a fruit-cake...
Mobius_1 5:06PM (12/05/2008)
And Bruce Wayne ain't a young female blonde lawyer.
toronado455 4:05PM (12/05/2008)
What's up with the "Proboscis Monkey" design language being used on all the new small Mercedes roadsters?
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Red 4:19PM (12/05/2008)
I respect Miata enthusiasts and I want to make that clear...
...but this is even gayer than a Miata...
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happy_penguin 2:56AM (12/06/2008)
Impossible. It isn't fabulous enough. Hell, it isn't fabulous at all.
JackD 4:25PM (12/05/2008)
That thing is fuglier than the modded Aveo you were raggin on.
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harribert 4:59PM (12/05/2008)
why not market the bloody thing as a new smart roadster?
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Ben 4:57PM (12/05/2008)
It's like a small, French car company from the mid 90's has snuck a few Mercedes badges on one of their more "whimsical" concept cars. This is almost as bad as the SLR.
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Paul P. 5:04PM (12/05/2008)
As if the SLK roadster wasn't small enough already.
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