Why Did It Take Mercedes 20 Years To Bring The A-Class To The US?

The Mercedes-Benz A class has been different things at different times during its relatively short life span. The nameplate is 20 years old, and for all 20 of those years, Mercedes has declined to offer it in America. Until now. Automotive News reported that Mercedes will introduce the upcoming A-class sedan in the U.S., positioned below the CLA-class sedan in the most affordable side of the brand's lineup.

But how did the upcoming A class change Mercedes' mind after all these years?

llaroo - 6/21/2017 10:43:28 AM

+2 Boost

virtually no market for a premium dinky toy in North America. Besides the A class never looked like this ! That's why 20 years later its being planned - doubt it will sell well. If you have the cash you want bigger and better finishing and performance. If you don't have the money you are in a GTI or some Japanese thing.

TheSteve - 6/21/2017 10:49:34 AM

+2 Boost

Outside of the USA, A180 has a well-known reputation for being "underwhelming", and being undeserving of the three-point star. I don't know why Mercedes is planning to bring it to the US, where Mercedes is still perceived as being amongst the best of cars. Bringing the A-class Stateside might adjust that perception downwards. And that's not a good thing.

mpls - 6/21/2017 4:35:00 PM

+3 Boost

1. The A class back then was shi t, it still is but better than nothing
2. Americans were too big to ft in the original, probably still is, but at lesst the teens can ride one before moving more upmarket.
3. Merc didn't need to until now, they need to cover all bases like BMW and Audi are doing, ie. movin down market, and lowering entry points..

TomM - 6/21/2017 5:11:50 PM

+3 Boost

Somewhere along the line - Mercedes really would like to be a world auto maker - with cars in every market niche - and they had their best chance at doing that when they owned Chrysler - when they could have used the Chrysler Marque to make cars lesser than a Mercedes. Maybe they will buy out BMW to do that again!

MDarringer - 6/22/2017 8:55:06 AM

+2 Boost

It wouldn't surprise me at this point if Mercedes buys out FCA.

Firewombat - 6/23/2017 3:45:48 AM

+1 Boost

BMW Group sell more passenger cars than Daimler so not sure how viable buying them out would be.

MDarringer - 6/22/2017 8:53:49 AM

+2 Boost

LOL it's probably a Versa with a new body.

Firewombat - 6/23/2017 3:50:35 AM

+1 Boost

Pretty simple I think, for the last 20 years the A-class has been a small MPV or a hatch. They're planning on bringing out a sedan version and therefore they feel that they can sell it in the US now.