Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz polling customers on bringing B-Class to the States]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/11/mercedes-benz-polling-customers-on-bring-b-class-to-the-states/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/11/mercedes-benz-polling-customers-on-bring-b-class-to-the-states/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/11/mercedes-benz-polling-customers-on-bring-b-class-to-the-states/#commentsFiled under: ,

Mercedes-Benz B-Class - Click above for high-res image gallery

Almost since the day that Mercedes-Benz introduced the A-Class and then B-Blass models over a decade ago, the company has been hemming and hawing about whether to offer the cars in the U.S. market. A combination of factors, including unfavorable exchange rates and limited American demand for hatchbacks, conspired to keep both models out of this market - although they have been available in Canada.

With a new generation B-Blass set to debut in 2011, Mercedes-Benz has been taking another look at offering the car here and has been holding consumer clinics to determine whether to sell the car and with what body style. A crossover, sedan and a sporty coupe are being shown, but the hatchback apparently is not. If a B-Class variant does arrive we probably won't see it until at least 2012.


Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz B-Class


[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

Mercedes-Benz polling customers on bringing B-Class to the States originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 May 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>b-classB-class USAB-classUsamercedesMercedes Benzmercedes benz b classmercedes benz b-classmercedes-benzMercedesBenzMercedesBenzB-classMercedesBenzBClassTue, 11 May 2010 09:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19471217/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/05/11/mercedes-benz-polling-customers-on-bring-b-class-to-the-states/19471217/article-detail.xml 19471217 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/mb-b-class_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/mb-b-class.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Mercedes to launch B-Class-based hatchback, CUV in U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/08/report-mercedes-to-launch-b-class-based-hatchback-cuv-in-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/08/report-mercedes-to-launch-b-class-based-hatchback-cuv-in-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/08/report-mercedes-to-launch-b-class-based-hatchback-cuv-in-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mercedes-Benz B-Class - Click above for high-res image gallery

Here in the United States, the Mercedes-Benz product portfolio starts off with the C-Class sedan. Those familiar with the alphabet may realize that there are at least two available letters before 'C' that would theoretically allow the German automaker to offer something a bit less expensive before graduating up the ranks to the likes of the E-Class and S-Class, in all their assorted variations.

Wouldn't you know it, Mercedes has seen fit to fill those two pre-C-Class slots with A- and B-Class ranges across the Pond (okay, so Canada gets the B as well), and we've been hearing rumblings for quite some time that one of these models might make its way Stateside before too long. Those rumors gain new traction today with this report from Automotive News, which suggests that a compact car and a "small SUV" (read: crossover) may soon be in the offing in the U.S.

AN says that Mercedes-Benz plans to launch the next version of its B-Class in Europe in 2011, and that's the likely candidate for conversion to be sold here in the States. Included amongst the powertrain options will reportedly be some kind of fossil fuel alternative, perhaps either an electric version or one powered by a hydrogen fuel cell.

All of this news would seem to gibe with what Autoblog sources within MB have told us in recent days. While earlier reports indicated that the recently launched F 800 Style concept sedan was an indicator of the next CLS or E-Class, we now understand that the Geneva Motor Show star is actually more of a hat-tip regarding the next C-Class, a vehicle that is slated to grow slightly in order to better accommodate new models slotting in below it. Incidentally, we hear that the F-800's controversial snout is in fact a near match for the next-gen E, and that America could receive a sedan version of the rumored B-Class lineup as well.

So, when might we expect all this to go down? Depends. Says Joachim Schmidt, sales and marketing chief at MB, "The behavior of Americans depends on fuel prices. Nevertheless, we see a trend also toward fuel-efficient cars."


Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz B-Class


[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd.]

Report: Mercedes to launch B-Class-based hatchback, CUV in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>b-classB-class USAB-classUsamercedesMercedes B-ClassMercedes Benzmercedes-benzmercedes-benz a-classmercedes-benz b-classMercedes-benzA-classMercedes-benzB-classMercedesB-classMercedesBenzMon, 08 Mar 2010 16:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19387770/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/03/08/report-mercedes-to-launch-b-class-based-hatchback-cuv-in-u-s/19387770/article-detail.xml 19387770 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/mb-b-class_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/mb-b-class.jpg <![CDATA[Mercedes Benz dropping the A-class?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/02/mercedes-benz-dropping-the-a-class/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/02/mercedes-benz-dropping-the-a-class/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/02/mercedes-benz-dropping-the-a-class/#commentsFiled under: ,



Mercedes' pint-sized A-class hatch, the premium brand's first front-wheel-drive model, could be a thing of the past if news from Germany's WirtschaftsWoche proves to be true. The business weekly reports that DaimlerChrysler is planning to drop the A-class after the current model reaches the end of its lifecycle in 2011. The only word from Mercedes is that it's purely speculation and that the A-class hasn't been a failure, managing to find the homes of more than 1.5 million buyers since its introduction in 1997.

Focus now seems to be on the new B-class, which is also due for replacement in 2011. Back in May, Mercedes' US Chief Ernst Lieb told reporters that the next-gen B-class was under consideration for US importation. The new model's underpinnings will likely be shared with the recently revealed C-class to improve quality levels and exploit economies of scale. It would also mean the next B-class would feature a RWD chassis and more powerful engine options. The only problem for Mercedes now is whether or not it could market a car in the US positioned below the C-class and still remain profitable.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Mercedes Benz dropping the A-class? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Jul 2007 10:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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