Mercedes Confirms A-Class To Be Sold Alongside CLA - Who Wins In That Scenario?

Model proliferation before quality.

Actually - what Mercedes needs is a Lower class Nameplate to use on their cheaper (I meant that word too) cars. THey now have Maybach for a step up -= maybe they could buy AUDI to use that name for a step down.

Good idea! Instead of created an upscale marque, it is time for Mercedes to create a downscale marque.

No one loses. Mercedes and buyers win. Audi and Mercedes both proved that there is room in the market for a premium entry level sedan and 4-door coupe. Both sold in almost equal numbers so now it's Mercedes' effort to steal market share from the A3 and before BMW's smalls sedan gets here. The biggest risk now is for the A-sedan to take sales from the C-Sedan.

The A-Sedan has already gotten pretty positive reviews in A220 FWD and 4Matic form, though the 4Matic has shown to have a firmer ride. The quality of the car is very strong and the tech very good, though possibly some pre-production glitches out there.

TomM, I thought BMW had Mini for the purpose of selling small FWD cars without sullying the good BMW name. It seems to be all mixed now.
Obviously MB is trying to up the sales price of Honda Civic type cars by putting their name on it.
I have been driving a CAL 250 loaner while my 330C is in for repairs, again. ($1,000 and 4 days for driver's side interior door latch). As I buzz around in this vehicle (driver's door frameless window buzzes at speed) I wonder what is compelling about this car over a Honda Civic for thousands (many) less?

I don't consider Mini to be "mixed" with BMW - and I doubt that consumers have that feeling as well. Mini may have been an attempt to have a lower brand but it was too iconic in its nature(Mini being a particular type of car) to cover a market segment instead of a Niche.

When you look at sales - it is AUDI that sells in the lower segments more so that they do in the real premium car classes - which is why I still consider them to be second tier. But I don't consider Honda to be second tier - they are clearly aimed at mass market - Acura would be second tier.

What is compelling about cars that offer similar characteristics - is a topic we could argue for ages - but in reality - it is PRESTIGE that separates one tier from another. It is that quality that makes you want a car you want to be seen in - rather than a car everyone else has - that separates classes of cars. It can be Exclusivity - low volume high desirability - (remember - we are talking about cars with similar room and performance) - Quality is certainly an issue - as well as equipment - but in the end - it remain that there is more "Prestige" in top tier premium cars than those in lower tiers. For decades - low end manufacturers have been able to produce cars that have high performance - at lower prices than the true premium manufacturers - so the question is - DO you want to be seen in a Toyota brand supercar - or a real Ferrari? For the rich - there is no question. For those who cannot afford a Ferrari - they can justify a lesser brand to the end of the earth - it is still a lesser brand.

Agree with your comments, TomM. And you have to hand it to Mercedes and BMW for maintaining their lofty positions in the face of increasing competition. The S-Class has been the top of full size luxury it seems forever.
Cadillac used to be top tier before any of us were born. They squandered this position in the 60s and 70s chasing volume.
Audi and Lexus both have excellent cars, but they are most successful mainly in lower priced vehicles based on VWs and Toyotas respectively.
Although Bentley has bounced back under VW ownership.

Actually Cadillac lost its way in the 80's and 90's. The 60's and 70's were incredible years for the brand and it wasn't volume chasing it was the downsizing, moving everything to front wheel drive and pathetic styling. The "Brougham" was the biggest mover which was the rear wheel drive main line car and possibly viewed as the "real" Cadillac. The Seville when from edgy and style leader in the late 70's early 80's to an expensive POS in the mid 80's through the 90's and ulitimately its demise. Same for the Eldorado... Problem was the market didn't turn away from either car they just built cars no one wanted. I still say there is a market for an Eldorado type car in their line up, say a uniquely styled Coupe off either the CTS or CT6 platforms. I would personally like to have a CT6 2 door Coupe. I also agree with most of what Tom says, if one has the $$ why buy the "me too" car, buy the Ferrari.. I would.

The A Class needs to be $30K and the CLA $35K. When you realize their plebeian underpinnings, $40K is suddenly $10K too much.

Agree MD. I am currently driving a CLA service loaner and all I keep thinking is the Honda Civic is a better car and equipped correctly a better drive. Plus the driver side window is rattling? In a 3 month old $40,000 German "engineered" car. Your gently used Lexus RCf is looking better to me.

Let's play hangman: R _ N _ _ L T

The Mrs. loves her RCF. She used to be a Jetta girl but Jettas are trouble. My brother-in-law used to be a Mercedes hound and is now on his third Genesis lease--a G90 this time.

TomM, you're entitled to your opinion about "tiers" and what separates a premium tier from a non-premium tier or a tier I from a tier II but I don't think your views are representative of reality. Audi very much competes with BMW and Mercedes-Benz in every segment from the entry-level sedan to the high-end sedan and from the entry level compact SUV to the flagship SUV. The technology is on par, the performance models are on par and the price is really not much lower and in some cases it's higher.

TomM Is a Sergio Mendes guy in a Shawn Mendes world.