A-Class (W176) 2011 Mercedes-Benz A-Class (Spy pics & Info)

[EnI]

Re: Mercedes-Benz could drop A-class

Dropping A-class would mean falling behind Audi - sales wise.
MB: #3 premium car maker. Who would have thought ....

 

[Mr. M]

Re: Mercedes-Benz could drop A-class

Yes Mercedes should drop A class and B class. Making minivans was never a clever idea.

From Andrea's post it looks like they will keep the B-Class.

I think there is a room here for the A/B-Class. Just bring it a little lower and more stylish, less as a hatch. Otherwise, which model can compete with the A3 SB?

 

[Mr. M]

Re: Mercedes-Benz could drop A-class

I think it'd be better if they produced two versions of the B-class to make it more affordable for some people.
Like a short and long version or 2 doors and 4 doors version of the B-class etc.
Kind of similar to the BMW 1 series, Audi A3/sporback and Renault Scenic.

Oh yes, that would be a great idea, if MB wants to keep its sales numbers up.

 

[EnI]

Re: Mercedes-Benz could drop A-class

Seriously ...

The industry rumors say MB is going to drop A-class mini-van shape & structure. "Sandwich" structure is too expensive - eating into A-class profit margins. So, in the next generation A-class (according to the rumors) will be much more similar to A3, 1er, C-Sportcoupe etc (is it going to be RWD????!!!), while B-class will take the role of family-oriented mini-van.

 

[Alwing]

Re: Mercedes-Benz could drop A-class

Got this from AutoWeek.nl
I translated this article in English:


Daimlerchef Dieter Zetsche wants to drop the A-class within a short period of time. The news is reported by the German newspaper WirtschaftsWoche based on the information brought out by the Mercedes officials.

The planned new modelchange of the A-class and B-class in 2011 there will be only one variant of Mercedes's smallest which will be related to it's bigger brother, the B-class.
Zetsche wants to produce a new small car that can compete against small Audi's and BMW's. Aside of that they're also considering a small coupe to replace the current C-class Sportscoupe. All three models will be based on the same platform according to WirtschaftsWoche.

 

[Centurion]

Re: Mercedes-Benz could drop A-class

This isn't a surprise. The A and B-class are to similar to exist along side each other. The next A or B-class will most likely replace the other model.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Re: Mercedes-Benz could drop A-class

Got this from AutoWeek.nl
I translated this article in English:


Daimlerchef Dieter Zetsche wants to drop the A-class within a short period of time. The news is reported by the German newspaper WirtschaftsWoche based on the information brought out by the Mercedes officials.

The planned new modelchange of the A-class and B-class in 2011 there will be only one variant of Mercedes's smallest which will be related to it's bigger brother, the B-class.
Zetsche wants to produce a new small car that can compete against small Audi's and BMW's. Aside of that they're also considering a small coupe to replace the current C-class Sportscoupe. All three models will be based on the same platform according to WirtschaftsWoche.

Excellent news. They need an answer to the rapidly growing 1-er range and planned A3 range. The B and A are too similar as it is and they need to attract a younger crowd to the brand earlier on.

 

[Yperion]

Re: Mercedes-Benz could drop A-class

Dropping A-class would mean falling behind Audi - sales wise.
MB: #3 premium car maker. Who would have thought ....

The position of a premium car maker (unlike what some BMW execs want to believe) is not determined by sale numbers.

Rolce Royce for example doesn't need to sell many cars to be considered the ultimate luxury brand.

For many many people Mercedes is still the top luxury car maker today and will always be.

 

[Zafiro]

Re: Mercedes-Benz could drop A-class

For many many people Mercedes is still the top luxury car maker today and will always be.

That's bad news for Audi?

 

[Yperion]

Re: Mercedes-Benz could drop A-class

That's bad news for Audi?

For some people (including myself) Audi is the No 1 luxury car maker.

 

[Tarek]

Re: Mercedes-Benz could drop A-class

For many many people Mercedes is still the top luxury car maker today and will always be.

That's coz nobody else has an extensive history of innovation and luxury like MB,it's the first in the world u know

 

[Zafiro]

Re: Mercedes-Benz could drop A-class

For some people (including myself) Audi is the No 1 luxury car maker.

Yannis check this out

http://www.germancarforum.com/pit-general-discussion/15834-death-fan-boy-image.html

 

[klier]

Re: Mercedes-Benz could drop A-class

For some people (including myself) Audi is the No 1 luxury car maker.

And for some people, Citroen is the no 1 luxury car maker

 

[cawimmer430]

Re: Mercedes-Benz could drop A-class

Hmmm, I don't know yet at this point

When the new W169 A-Class debuted, it was hugely popular and sold like hot cakes taking some sales away from the W203 C-Class. Then the B-Class came along and A-Class and W203 C-Class sales in Europe slumped in favor of the B-Class.

The A-Class is more "legendary" than the B-Class. I mean the first generation A-Class is already something of a semi-cult car in Europe with a large following. Many A-Class owners call their cars 'Elchi", after the famous elk test embarrassment. The B-Class? Have not really heard too much enthusiasm about them. For one, they're horrible to drive. Comfortable as hell, but they completely lack any sort of sport feel. The steering is lifeless and indirect and the suspension too soft. Funny how this car is marketed as a "Sportstourer".

I guess I feel that the A-Class is a successful car for Mercedes, more so than the B-Class. I can understand the thinking behind this potential decision. B-Class is roomier and thus slightly more practical and thus has more potential, but I guess I also have en emotional connection to the A-Class. It is after all a fun little car and I really enjoy driving them.

 

[Zafiro]

Re: Mercedes-Benz could drop A-class

I drove the old A-class and I wasnt impressed, I havent tried the new A-class yet. But B-class looks a lot better than A-class IMO.

 

[Yperion]

Re: Mercedes-Benz could drop A-class

The old A class was simply not worthy of the star badge, The new one is improved but still...

Now Audi has to cancel the A1 and Q1 , BMW has to cancel the X1 and V3 ect.
We don't want micro-SUVs and minivans with the Audi and BMW badge.

 

[Kowalski]

Re: Mercedes-Benz could drop A-class

And for some people, Citroen is the no 1 luxury car maker

Actually, for some people the No 1 Luxury car maker is Toyota with a poncy name.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Re: Mercedes-Benz could drop A-class

Hmmm, I don't know yet at this point

When the new W169 A-Class debuted, it was hugely popular and sold like hot cakes taking some sales away from the W203 C-Class. Then the B-Class came along and A-Class and W203 C-Class sales in Europe slumped in favor of the B-Class.

The A-Class is more "legendary" than the B-Class. I mean the first generation A-Class is already something of a semi-cult car in Europe with a large following. Many A-Class owners call their cars 'Elchi", after the famous elk test embarrassment. The B-Class? Have not really heard too much enthusiasm about them. For one, they're horrible to drive. Comfortable as hell, but they completely lack any sort of sport feel. The steering is lifeless and indirect and the suspension too soft. Funny how this car is marketed as a "Sportstourer".

I guess I feel that the A-Class is a successful car for Mercedes, more so than the B-Class. I can understand the thinking behind this potential decision. B-Class is roomier and thus slightly more practical and thus has more potential, but I guess I also have en emotional connection to the A-Class. It is after all a fun little car and I really enjoy driving them.

Fair enough, but it would be relatively easy for Mercedes to address any dynamic shortcomings of the B at face lift or next generation.

 

[EnI]

Re: Mercedes-Benz could drop A-class

And the latest news ...

BMW & MB are in talks to build the next-gen A-class on a MINI platform. Seriously!

The decision should be made in the end of this month.




It is an interesting match: MB looking for a platform donor (so they won't have to develop new expensive platform for A-class from scratch), while BMW looking how to boost MINI platform production & make MINI production more profitable.

 

[Bartek S.]

Re: Mercedes-Benz could drop A-class

Mercedes A-class could be replaced by 3 new compacts.

Earlier this month reports emerged that claimed Mercedes was planning to drop the A-class compact after the current model’s lifecycle ends in 2011. Now, further confirmation that the A-class may be dropped has surfaced, which also purports that it could in fact be replaced by a family of three new variants based on the next-gen B-class.
In addition to the next-gen B-class, the car’s new platform could also spawn a sports hatch and a roadster according to Auto Bild. There was also talk that engineers would base the new range on the newly developed C-class architecture, which means the new cars would be RWD and offer much more powerful engines than the current B-class, including a 3.5L V6 for the range topper. In May we also reported that the new compact Roadster could be based on the Vision SLA concept car of 2000. Meanwhile, news of the next-gen CLK Cabrio, due in 2010, has also emerged, which reports that production of the new cabrio will be handled by Mercedes’ plant in Bremen instead of being outsourced to Karmann like the current model. According to Auto Motor und Sport, Mercedes will build up to 20,000 units per year, with the rest of the capacity being allocated for production of the upcoming GLK SUV.
Motor Authority » Mercedes A-class could be replaced by 3 new compacts