Harrel

Back in the course of the 1980s when Mercedes introduced its first child Mercedes, the automobile was received with mixed testimonials. Motorists loved the automobile, now a C series model, as it created a Mercedes automobile affordable for the middle class. On the other hand, critics worried that the esteemed Mercedes-Benz name would suffer as a vehicle touching the price level of numerous ordinary American models would soon turn into portion of the line up. Today, even smaller sized Mercedes are planned for the US industry. Will this be a enormous mistake for the German automaker or is Mercedes incorporating sensible thinking?

To the surprise of numerous Americans, the Mercedes brand isnt as pompous or pretentious in Europe as it is in the U.S. Crafty Mercedes-Benz advertising more than the years has presented an image of Mercedes as becoming an ultra-luxury automobile line, a truly excellent benchmark from which all other cars are measured. In some respects this image is accurate, but in reality Mercedes goes nicely beyond such a narrow definition.

In the European market, Mercedes is identified for producing these identical high good quality luxury automobiles, but also for creating automobiles that are a lot much more attainable for the masses. Even proper now Mercedes sells 4 models in Europe that are uncharacteristically Mercedes variety autos, at least for the American industry:

Viano A minivan of sorts, the car can hold as several as eight folks and is powered by either a pair of inline four cylinder engines or a 3.5L I6. s10 blackout grille critique

Vaneo A compact van with seating for as many as seven adults. The Vaneo attributes a sloping roof that quickly drops off to a rear hatch. Powered by 1.6L or 1.9L I4 gasoline engines or a 1.7L diesel.

B Series Mercedes answer to the Volkswagen Golf is its personal B Series of automobiles. This five door hatchback, which also looks a lot like a Toyota Matrix, comes with six engine selections: 4 gas engines starting with a 1.5L I4 up to a 2.0L turbocharged four, and two diesels.

A Series Even smaller than the B Series is the A Series, three or five door hatchback models about the size of a Toyota Echo. Thats appropriate, a teeny tiny Mercedes! The exact same six engines offered with the B Series are provided in the A Series plus one further diesel for a total of seven engine options!

Prices for the A Series begins about $23,000 when current British to American currency exchange figures are factored in to nearly $29,500 for the B Series. The Vaneo and Viano would sell at about $25,550 and $39,800 respectively if todays European rates were carried over to the U.S.

So, what does Mercedes have in mind? They are hoping to introduce the B Series to the U.S. marketplace by 2007. Is this a smart decision? In my opinion it has worked effectively in Europe, however it would be much better for Mercedes to develop a new make of cars to include the B Series. A lot like Toyota has spun off each Lexus and Scion, Mercedes would be better served by creating a separate down marketplace brand in order to uphold the Mercedes name.

No, there isnt something shameful about any of these little autos in reality, they are a smart concept nevertheless, decades of marketing in the U.S. can undoubtedly be undone overnight by the introduction of any vehicle smaller than the C Series to the Mercedes line up. No car as little as the B Series would wear a Lexus nameplate, so why really should a automobile of this sort wear the Mercedes moniker?

As I said, this is just my opinion. What are your thoughts?