Mercedes-Benz to offer a compact car and a small SUV for sale in the U.S.

Mercedes-Benz announced its plans to offer a compact car but also a small SUV for sale in the United States. Although it has not decided on the timing, the German manufacturer confirmed the fact that the new cars will be based on the next-generation B-Class that will debut in Europe by the end of 2011.

These words came from Joachim Schmidt, sales and marketing chief of Mercedes-Benz, who also confirmed that a very stylish sedan which will be sold in Europe as part of the new four-vehicle B-class family is also being considered for the United States.
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pennfootball - 3/8/2010 3:51:00 PM

-1 Boost

Soon Mercedes will offer a Motorscooter for 57,000 Dollars because it has antilock brakes and a peace sign.

XYZZ - 3/10/2010 1:16:30 AM

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don't overlook the fact that BMW had an enclosed scooter. either it was only a prototype never released, or they're ashamed to offer it here in the u.s.

mercedes has no shame. guess they're gonna go head-to-head against toyota yarises and nissan venzas and honda fits now.

nguyenvuminh - 3/8/2010 9:05:28 PM

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Yay. I love driving the A class and B class when I was in Europe. Now living and working in crowded Asia, I even appreciate the small cars even more. Those Mercedes' small cars provide a fantastic combination of safety, practicality and class at the same time. The US will not be a big market for such cars but I think certain US cities will be good market place for those gems.

KoruKinshi - 3/8/2010 9:59:18 PM

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Someone bring the SLA stateside...PLEASE.

Whelan - 3/8/2010 11:43:05 PM

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They do make a small SUV, it's called the GLK

CarCrazedinCali - 3/9/2010 12:40:25 AM

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here come the flops! They couldn't make a small car that sold before (squished looking C class coupe they put out not too long ago), and Americans aren't going to love the A or B class either- they are ugly. Small SUV to compete with the MINI Countryman?

jeffy210 - 3/9/2010 12:11:50 PM

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I remember having an A-Class in Germany twice as a rental. Yes it was toned down (cloth seats, not much on the amenities) but it felt really damn solid, even cruising at 120mph. Most Americans don't realize that BMW and Mercedes also compete in the mid level and lower price points as well in Germany. You can get E-Classes with cloth seats, manual transmissions and a small 2+ liter engine. It's just that people here have come to expect BMW/Mercedes = luxury and needs to be priced higher.

Start offering an affordable smaller car that is solid in reliability and I think it'll start selling.