Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz A and B class considered for 2011 launch in U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/28/mercedes-benz-a-and-b-class-considered-for-2011-launch-in-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/28/mercedes-benz-a-and-b-class-considered-for-2011-launch-in-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/28/mercedes-benz-a-and-b-class-considered-for-2011-launch-in-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 A class.

Like almost every automaker, Mercedes-Benz is feeling the pinch of high gas prices and an economic slow-down in the States. Daimler AG expects M-B's sales in the U.S. to fall in the second half of the year and in order to keep things in the black, vehicle prices in the U.S. are going to rise.

To counter the shift in demand from larger, thirstier vehicles to smaller, thriftier rides, Mercedes is reconsidering its previous decision not to offer its next generation compact and sub-compact vehicles in the U.S. Mercedes originally planned to bring the B class over, but the weak dollar caused the automaker to hold off. With the entrance of the 1-series, the forthcoming X1 and small crossovers from Audi on the way, Mercedes is looking to bring it front-wheel-drive A and B class vehicles to U.S. consumers that might be open to a compact vehicle from a luxury automaker.

The A class hatch was recently revealed and the B class got a facelift earlier this year, however, both models will have to undergo some revisions to be ready for sales in the U.S. With more derivatives on the way, including 230 hp, turbo'd two-liters and a B class possibly sharing the C's underpinnings (similar to the 1 series using the 3 series' platform), don't expect either model to hit U.S. shores before 2011.

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz A-Class


Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz B-Class


[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Mercedes-Benz A and B class considered for 2011 launch in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a classAClassb classBClassmercedesmercedes-benzMon, 28 Jul 2008 08:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercedes planning 1-series rival in 2011]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/27/mercedes-planning-1-series-rival-in-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/27/mercedes-planning-1-series-rival-in-2011/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/27/mercedes-planning-1-series-rival-in-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's no secret that the Mercedes-Benz A-class hasn't been a resounding success and that the automaker is looking to revamp its entry-level line-up to better compete with rivals. According to Autocar, M-B boss Dieter "Dr. Z" Zetsche has green-lighted a new model that's taking aim at the BMW 1-series and Audi A3, and will accompany the rest of the revised A-class models when it debuts in 2011.

The new model will replace the aging, if just recently facelifted, CLC and will initially come to market sporting a coupe body style instead of a three-door hatch. Mercedes plans to expand the rest of the A-classes to include at least three different body styles of each model, coinciding with the launch of the new B-class, which will be designed to compete with the upcoming BMW X1.

Power will supposedly come from a combination of direct-injection gasoline and diesel powerplants, with output ranging from 120 to 200 hp. Pricing should be competitive with BMW's 1-series models, with the new A-class falling right around the £19,000 mark.

[Source: Autocar]

Mercedes planning 1-series rival in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a classa-classAClassaudi a3AudiA3b classb-classBClassbmw 1-seriesbmw 135iBmw1-seriesBmw135imercedes benzmercedes-benzMercedesBenzThu, 27 Mar 2008 13:22:00 EST<![CDATA[BMW and Mercedes may hook up for subcompact]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/05/bmw-and-mercedes-may-hook-up-for-subcompact/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/05/bmw-and-mercedes-may-hook-up-for-subcompact/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/05/bmw-and-mercedes-may-hook-up-for-subcompact/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Auto Bild is reporting that Mercedes and BMW may consider collaborating on subcompacts in the coming years. BMW's keeping an eye on the MINI plant in Oxford, England. If the factory doesn't run at full-tilt, BMW takes a monetary hit. Shacking up with Mercedes to build the next generation A-Class at MINI's facility and on the MINI platform would keep production humming right along. Other potential partners have been mentioned as well, such as Honda and PSA. Mercedes and BMW are working on hybrid technology together already, but Mercedes will only say that while it remains open to collaboration where sensible, there are no current plans to partner further with BMW.

[Source: Reuters]

BMW and Mercedes may hook up for subcompact originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jul 2007 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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