Are you ready for an onslaught of compact cars from the German duo of BMW and Mercedes-Benz? Hopefully, yes, since no fewer than six new compacts from the German pair are headed our way by the end of 2012. BMW will introduce a front-wheel-drive family of cars from its UKL segment (a German abbreviation for lower-compact class vehicles). The vehicles will initially be offered with four-cylinder engines and reports suggests that at least three body variations will be headed this way.
It looks like Mercedes-Benz is planning for a trio of U.S.-bound compacts as well. All three vehicles will feature front-wheel-drive layouts and be derived from the company's B-class platform. Either a compact SUV, or possibly a coupe model, should reach U.S. shores in 2012. A compact van, possibly battery-powered, is expected to follow. None of these vehicles will wear the B-class badge, but Mercedes is still not quite ready to reveal the U.S.-bound models' nameplates. As we see it, the key to success in the compact segment comes down to sticker price. Kept low, the Germans will have no problem racking up sales. If prices soar, these compacts might just spend their days rusting away on some dealer's lot.
[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]
It looks like Mercedes-Benz is planning for a trio of U.S.-bound compacts as well. All three vehicles will feature front-wheel-drive layouts and be derived from the company's B-class platform. Either a compact SUV, or possibly a coupe model, should reach U.S. shores in 2012. A compact van, possibly battery-powered, is expected to follow. None of these vehicles will wear the B-class badge, but Mercedes is still not quite ready to reveal the U.S.-bound models' nameplates. As we see it, the key to success in the compact segment comes down to sticker price. Kept low, the Germans will have no problem racking up sales. If prices soar, these compacts might just spend their days rusting away on some dealer's lot.
[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]
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