German Car Zone

It's hard to say how long buyers will keep purchasing smaller cars. With the bad press about their safety, fickle consumers who consider gas price the top factor in car purchases, and a total lack of setting a gas tax that would help car manufacturers tremendously, the consensus is hard to pen.

I think that if the A class were marketed to the right kind of people it would do very well here. I'm sure that a number of people flocking toward the Fit/Smart/Versa/Yaris/Mini have deeper pockets than what their car purchase would suggest. Not to mention, I think women would flock to a car like the A class. I would imagine only the elegance and sport models, with a mix of gas and diesel engines.

Let's face it, we're all in a perplexed state of mind with this lingering economy. I think Mercedes could capitalize on a confused public and eschew in a new segment of luxury minded small cars.

As for the E class having a 4 cylinder engine... Honestly, who gives a rip. This engine makes around the same horsepower as the inline 6 found in the W124. With such a whopping amount of torque, who the hell is going to know it's a 4 cylinder if they're not told so beforehand? I bet you could fool a lot of people.

This I4 makes the same power as the V6 CDI
I think if there was no markings on the engine cover and you showed it to most people they would think it was a V6 or V8.

I personally don't want to see the A-Class or B-Class in the US for the sole reason that could cheapen the brand. C-Class is definitely the absolute minimum.



The people who posted there can also exert influence. They have friends who drive luxury cars and are probably also as open minded or at least willing to give a 4-cylinder E-Class a try. Keep in mind that many people there claimed they were driving an E320 or E350 because "nothing lower" was available. They made it perfectly clear that they care more about what the car offers (comfort etc.) rather than performance. Rest assured that there are many who think like this. An E250 would sell because of mileage, not performance - and its performance would be deemed as completely sufficient anyway.

Good points Chris, but does MBUSA have the balls to do it? I doubt it. They'll try a 4-cylinder in a GLK and C first IMO.


M

Or they could inform and educate their customers about this car through flyers and of course making people aware of it on their USA website. Then question your customers (and non-MB customers) through the use of surveys to get a picture of how well this car could do in the market.

Mercedes needs to do their market research. Diesel works hand in hand with economy.

A c-class 4 cyl diesel would do well in the US. But you need to market it right.
The diesel engines are focusing too much on performance, and not enough on economy.

If I was bringing over the C250CDI I would not say anything about it being a 4 cylinder engine. I would just show the power and mileage numbers, compare it to the Prius or other hybrids.