It's amazing to me how a company like Mercedes can get away with producing vehicles that look like this, and not get the stigma of a Geo Metro or a Ford Festiva...

I don't care if this was the most well built, most luxury packed vehicle ever in the class... it shouldn't wear a luxury nameplate.

I know over in Europe, the roads are tight, and what-not, but I think you have to draw a line somewhere.

If they bring this over to North America, you'd think it'd be laughed right out of the hemisphere, but I'm sure it'd be lauded as sensational German thinking or something... :blah:

Mercedes A-Class

 

I don't think we'll ever see (maybe ever is too strong, one never knows) the A-class over on this side. Mercedes is rightfullly quite sensitive about it's perception as a marque that most upwardly mobile (in NA) aspire to own. The A-class would possibly deflate that perception somewhat.

We also don't get their more mundane offerings that are available elsewhere. The Mercedes vehicles we get are all optioned to the nines dripping with technology bits - problems with which are possibly beginning to erode the commonly held perceptions of high quality normally reserved for MB. They are now backing away somewhat from some of the tech they build into the cars. Coincidentally (or maybe not) I foresee a similar future for BMW with their own hi-tech hijinks.

 

I do believe that it has already been approved to come over here.

 

I just did a quick search for info on that point and all I found was an Autoweek article indicating 2004 or 2005 for the A class to come here. I just knew that "ever" was too strong to actually put in print. Is this decision up in the air? BMW is also trying to decide whether or not to bring their upcoming 1 class cars to NA, although it looks like "no" may be the answer.

 

Why is it that it seems mandatory that so-called "Eco-Friendly" cars have to be ugly?

 

Not sure why they must be ugly.... but being over here.. .I know about 10 people with an A class, one of them owns a smart car too. To the germans, an ugly little car like that is normal. You see even more driving Opels and such. Though I don't think they look as bad.

Honestly though, the majority of MB you see around here are believe it or not. Trucks. Many of which are Semi size, and the rest are flat bed types.

 

My mom used to love A-classes (at least the current gen) when she first saw them in Germany a few years back. A few months ago, while in England we had the "pleasure" or renting one. let me tell you we all unanimously agreed that the A class just plainly sucks. It was extremely underpowered and not comfortable at all, not what you may expect out of a benz.

And im pretty sure the next gen will come over here, i have a feeling they may pack it with goodies and have no real stripper models like they do in europe

 

If the competition keeps putting out cars like that, then Cadillac will be the Luxury Standard of the world in no time.

 

 

It's been said by more than one person that this is done on purpose...

This way the lower sales would be more ammo for the automakers as far as fighting or at least slowing the pace of major changes and stiffer fuel economy restrictions...

Don't know if there is any truth to that or not... but I have heard it severtal times from several places.

 

The Smart is actually a pretty stylish little (and I do mean little!) car. If those things sold for 10-12 grand here, I suspect every garage here would have at least 1, if for nothing but a grocery getter or weekday trips into the city.

 

I wouldnt say they are all small....

http://www.ls1camaro.net/freehosting/P4100043.JPG

 

O...M....G....

 

Would be a nice Neon replacement.

 

Quote from the article: "Three diesels will be offered as well."

And that is in addition to gasoline engines, ranging from 90 to 170 HP.
A little overkill, don't you think?


The problem with cars like that is that when they come here, they are well overpriced for what you're getting, IMO. Look at Toyota Echo. By the time you're done optioning them out with something decent, you're paying 16 K CDN for it. What about 10 - 12K?

Import this A-Class to Canada, and we'll see prices around 20 - 25K and above...