Next-generation Mercedes-Benz B-Class coming to the U.S.

Mercedes-Benz said Friday that it will be cutting production at its Alabama plant which produces the ML-Class and GL-Class SUVs. However, parent company Daimler AG expects U.S. sales to fall in the second half of 2008 as the nation faces bad economic times and high gas-prices

According to Dieter Zetsche, chairman of Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz will likely raise prices by several hundred dollars on its models to counter the drop in profits.

Zetsche also said that Mercedes-Benz will likely add the next-generation A-Class and B-Class to its U.S. lineup as consumer demand shifts to more smaller vehicles. Mercedes-Benz previously decided not to bring the B-Class to the U.S. due to the weak dollar.

The next-generation front-wheel-drive A-Class and B-Class...
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kpaxx - 7/28/2008 2:01:19 PM

0 Boost

I see these whenever I am in Canada, they are a great blend of luxury, utility and also functional in urban areas where parking and driving is tight.

EnnNorak - 7/28/2008 2:35:36 PM

+1 Boost

I live in Canada also. I wish Mercedes would make the B a little bigger, especially a little taller so I can get in and out of it without banging my head on the roof. Also, please dump the dreaded CVT in favor of a conventional 6-speed automatic. The 4-MATIC from the C-class would be best in Canadian winters.

As for profits, you can't jack up the price in an economic downturn and not have sales drop significantly. I looked at the B but decided that the base-model C is a far better value. I ended up buying a loaded VW Passat which is even better value.

AgentOrange - 7/28/2008 2:16:07 PM

+2 Boost

Too much of a wedge shape for my liking.
I'd much rather get the Audi A3 - now there's a sweet looking machine..

AgentOrange - 7/28/2008 2:20:17 PM

+1 Boost

BTW, increasing prices just to get more profit per car - to offset the loss of profits on cars you're not selling? - I ain't playing that game, but thanks for the heads up Dieter & good luck on trying to jack the profit per car at a time in an economic downturn..

WorldofLuxury - 7/28/2008 8:32:57 PM

+1 Boost

Yep, but the A and B are virtually identical...for now, at least. I believe that the B is simply a 2-door version of the A. Here in the US,
I think it's safer to just sell them as one model with the option of 2-door or 4-door for many reasons...and here's a couple:
-First, the press won't get crazy and all.
-Easier to price

What I find amusing is that they introduced an auto-parking on those models. Not only does it work like the Lexus LS, but the space required is also big enough for people to park themselves.

This isn't an old man's car...aha...imagine an inexperienced teenager trying to use the Auto-park feature in the tiny A-class on Sunset Blvd.

sector - 7/28/2008 11:11:11 PM

0 Boost

The A/B class is a weird looking vehicle, it looks like it'll tip over if somebody blows on it.

ktu01 - 7/30/2008 1:41:43 AM

+1 Boost

Sure they'll bring it... but they'll probably also price it significantly higher than equal performing cars. I'd guess the A class would start at mid 20s, end up at around 30 loaded. The B class would start at 30s and end up 40s loaded.