Mercedes-Benz delivers 250,000th B-Class

The Prestige is priceless... ^o^

the B-class isn't even sold in the US. so compare apples to apples. what are prius sales OUTSIDE the united states huu?

oh...and toyota is definitely discounting the prius to make sales. they have been running lease deals in california.

You can't compare prius to a b-class. Unless it was a lexus prius then maybe. But even then a b-class is not a hybrid they have diesels and petrol engines.

B-class are popular in Europe but was introduced a couple years ago here in Canada. I have seen many around lately. Same goes for the Audi A3 which I think is a competitor. But even an avid Merc fan would agree, the A3 is the far better choice.

What it "B" like?

i was wondering what it was when i saw one in canada, i thought it was a smaller R-class. this thing is ugly, but not as ugly as the R-class.

actually, I was driving behind and next to a black R class with chrome trim around the windows this morning and found it to be quite stunning. too bad those haven't done better. I've seen a B and an A class on the freeway here, and they look to be pretty nice looking little cars. not so small as a Honda Fit - still reasonably sized - but definitely smaller than a C class.

Stick a hybrid in it and ship it to North America. It will sell well, I personally guarantee it. Someone forward this idea to Mercedes for me please...

you're right...people are suckers for hype.

Don't forget the Mercedes badge, regardless of how 'economy' this vehicle is.

again, compare apples to apples. what are prius sales OUTSIDE the US compared to B-class sales?

re: prius deals. there was even television advertising in california claiming $199/month. (of course those advertised deals are always bullshit and you end up paying 50% more).

just do a google search on prius lease deals and you'll find quotes like this from boston.com:

"Toyota quietly launched its first incentives on the Prius at the end of last month and has extended the offers until Feb. 28, though it doesn't plan national advertising to promote the program. Offers include zero-percent interest for 24 months, 2.9 percent for 36 months, 3.9 percent for 48 months, and 4.9 percent for 60 months, or a $219 lease for 36 months."

http://www.boston.com/cars/news/articles/2007/02/25/waiting_lists_at_dealers_disappear_as_toyota_prius_supply_meets_demand/

It's a lot bigger inside than it looks and the front seats are very comfortable. I only saw the top turbo model. I'd like a larger normally aspirated engine and a conventional automatic transmission instead of the dreaded CVT.

huu:

i'm confusing things? what the hell does "N.A. Prius sales = EU B sales, and Canadian B sales = EU Prius sales." mean?

the US, canada and europe are different markets with different tastes. so you need to compare sales of two models WITHIN THE SAME MARKETS.

again, what are prius sales OUTSIDE the US compared to B-klasse sales?

Erich, the B is cute and practical but my wife is not too keen on its styling. I would not buy it personally because I want more power and I do not trust CVTs. Conventional automatic transmissions are more efficient because their design avoids the loss of power due to squeezing the belt to change the effective diameter of the pulley in a CVT. Also, belts can shred or break under heavy use. Lastly (of greater importance to you than me) is the fact that CVTs are generally associated with lower end cars and Mercedes does not need that sort of image.