Mercedes Supermini

[Wolfgang]

Dear Mercedes: You Simply Must Build a Supermini Like This

We mean it! Audi took the platform from the Skoda Fabia and turned it into the A1, which is decently equipped and good to look at, but does not stand out. BMW doesn't really need a supermini since it sells the actual… MINI, so why not Mercedes?

This sort of car isn't about power or speed, it's about offering a decent form of motoring in a compact wheelbase. Yes, the new A-Class is much more practical and is also quite economical, but it's also €24,000 in Germany today.

Mercedes is way to focused on all the quad-turbo, all-wheel drive, twin-clutch halo cars to notice that it's missing out on a huge market. There are so many AMG cars that we've lost track of them all, probably about 15 right now, but there isn't a single Merc sold for about €17-18,000.

The only problem is that Mercedes doesn't have a small enough platform right now. One could be built in partnership with Infiniti if they are up for it, but a far safer bet would be to just use the smart fortwo architecture developed with Renault.

We're sure every millionaire S-Class owner would much rather buy a little Merc' for his wife than a MINI.

So what do you say Dieter, can we have a supermini now?

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/d...y-must-build-a-supermini-like-this-55573.html

 

[SKY]

So they want an A-Class with a few tricks on the rear end and a bit shorter? LOL

 

[Wolfgang]

Ya, are they hoping for a Mercedes version of the upcoming smart forfour?


Mercedes Not Interested in Audi A1 Supermini Rival

It used to be the case that luxury automobiles are long, wide saloons or coupes. But nowadays, the industry covers everything from the size of shoebox to that of an office building… with four-wheel drive of course.

Although there are a few contenders, the supermini market isn't packed with dedicated luxury vehicles. That's because most automakers chose to offer a wide range of options that will double the price you pay buy fill the little hatchback with leather.

Audi chose to turn the VW Polo platform into a more expensive model that could be considered a luxury product to some extent. We're talking about the A1, which has been in production (in Brussels) since 2010, while production of the new A1 Sportback began in 2012.

Now that the A-Class has moved into the C- or compact car segment, Mercedes doesn't have an interest in superminis. Company CEO Dr. Dieter Zetsche told Auto Express magazine that Mercedes won't build a rival for the A1 any time soon. Instead, the new generation of smart cars will fill the gap in the market right under the A-Class.

Editor's note: Profit margins or not, we not so happy with this decision. Yes, Mercedes doesn't have sister brands, so development costs would be high. But we'd rather have a small Mercedes over any smart.

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/mercedes-not-interested-in-audi-a1-supermini-rival-54112.html

 

[Tumbo]

They should do it.
I really hate Smart cars. All of them.

 

[Wolfgang]

So far he's not convinced yet?


CEO says Mercedes isn't interested in a premium supermini, but won't rule out tie-up with Aston

The CEO of Mercedes, Dr Dieter Zetsche, has ruled out a Mercedes-badged Audi A1 rival anytime soon. Speaking to Auto Express at the Detroit Motor Show, Zetsche blamed the decision on the large volumes needed and low profits in the supermini segment.

"Audi does a small car, BMW does too with the MINI, so far we have decided not to do the same," Zetsche explained. "You have to wonder firstly if we could achieve leadership in that segment and then what kind of profits we could actually make."

To fill the small car gap in the line-up Zetsche pointed towards a new generation of Smart cars that will begin to arrive in early 2014: "We are developing the next generation of Smart cars with Renault - there will be an expansion in the line-up, but not a proliferation like MINI." He continued, "this time we will have both two and four-seater Smarts."

Zetsche also refused to rule out a rumoured strategic partnership with Aston Martin. "I don't see any benefit in making more partnerships beyond Renault for the moment," he told us. "Relationships with companies making 2,000 cars or so would have to be on a special basis. Aston is a great brand, but whatever relationship we had would be very limited, you can't get distracted from your main goals."

Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mercedes/62334/no-a1-rival-mercedes#ixzz2LvooVaoj

 

[Human]

They should do it.
I really hate Smart cars. All of them.

Ditto! Would love for M-B and BMW getting into a A1 rival, for the Koreans needs competition from the Premium guru's and some of their own medicine. The A1 is a car I would still seriously buy for the same reason Betty has one, to commute in town and frankly I yearn for one, i just adore the little rascal.

 

[mini_cooper4]

Ditto! Would love for M-B and BMW getting into a A1 rival, for the Koreans needs competition from the Premium guru's and some of their own medicine. The A1 is a car I would still seriously buy for the same reason Betty has one, to commute in town and frankly I yearn for one, i just adore the little rascal.

A good looking A1 competitor from BMW is a sure buy for me

 

[Tumbo]

Ditto! Would love for M-B and BMW getting into a A1 rival, for the Koreans needs competition from the Premium guru's and some of their own medicine. The A1 is a car I would still seriously buy for the same reason Betty has one, to commute in town and frankly I yearn for one, i just adore the little rascal.

Yeah, exactly. If I would concider buying a small car today, A1 would defenitely be the one, followed by Mini and Polo.

 

[Merc1]

I hope they never go this route. REDESIGN the Smart car into a viable range of vehicles. A smaller Mercedes than the A-Class would be a joke and a mistake. Smart is the answer here, not a smaller Mercedes.

M

 

[Human]

I hope they never go this route. REDESIGN the Smart car into a viable range of vehicles. A smaller Mercedes than the A-Class would be a joke and a mistake. Smart is the answer here, not a smaller Mercedes.

M

Might work just as well. making SMART a proper car with premium qualities and as M-B did with the new A-class - design a winner, with looks and appeal totally different from the current generation. The A-class re-invention is the best case in time, do it to SMART or drop it for a Benz of the same proportions

 

[Gianclaudio]

Does anyone has the sale numbers of the A1, to compare with Mini, Citröen DS3 and to some extent, Fiat 500?

 

[Wolfgang]

Dont have numbers, Gian, but a proposal from Uğur Göküş.

 

[Gianclaudio]

It looks good (minus inmense grill and air dam, but it's a concept after all). I wonder if there is a demand for such an small Merc.....

 

[Wolfgang]

Does anyone has the sale numbers of the A1, to compare with Mini, Citröen DS3 and to some extent, Fiat 500?

Looked up some numbers.
As the A1 is not sold in North America, looked up Europe 2012.
Mini ...................... 104,522 ..... -10%
Audi A1 .................. 98,931 ...... +11%
Mercedes A-Class .... 70,510 ...... -20%
smart fortwo ........... 69,838 ...... -11%
Citröen DS3 ............ 64,164 ...... -12%
Mercedes M-Class .... 35,200 ...... +80%

 

[Gianclaudio]

Looked up some numbers.
As the A1 is not sold in North America, looked up Europe 2012.
Mini ...................... 104,522 ..... -10%
Audi A1 .................. 98,931 ...... +11%
Mercedes A-Class .... 70,510 ...... -20%
smart fortwo ........... 69,838 ...... -11%
Citröen DS3 ............ 64,164 ...... -12%
Mercedes M-Class .... 35,200 ...... +80%

Wow, I didn't imagine the sales of that ugly thing called A1 were so close to the Mini and so over the DS3

 

[SCOTT27]

Dr Zetsche better hope his words do not come back and backfire. As the premium super city car is a segment that is growing.
Particular when customers are downsizing or generating first-time customers.
BMW and MINI have 23 proposals on the table and industry points to Audi planning additional A1 models such as a baby sedan for growing markets in China , Brazil and India.
Missing out on this segment could be very drastic but once the BMW city hatch is unveiled I am sure their position will change. It will have to.

 

[Wolfgang]

Benzinsider writes the recently announced thirteen new models may include something? So far two Daimler super city cars are confirmed, the new smart fortwo arriving in March of 2014 and the smart forfour supermini following shortly thereafter in late 2014, with gasoline as well as electric drive.


Upcoming Mercedes-Benz Car Model To Compete With MINI

A new Mercedes-Benz car model that may be positioned in a category under the A-Class was visualized recently by Theophilus Chin, an automobile designer.

Reports have indicated that the luxury car manufacturer is already developing an upcoming car model that will be marketed in a category right under the present A-Class. It will reportedly go up against the upcoming model of the MINI, which is set to be released into the market within the year. The reported Mercedes-Benz car model is also going to compete against the Fiat 500, the Citroën DS3 and the Audi A1.

The vehicle appeared to look like a smaller version of the A-Class. It also features a short wheelbase and has the appearance of a five-door hatchback.

This particular Mercedes-Benz car model may only come out once the company will confirm the thirteen new car models that will be released in the United States by 2020. Mercedes-Benz aims to offer thirty new cars that will be based on the thirteen new models and the rival to the MINI may be among them.

http://www.benzinsider.com/2013/02/upcoming-mercedes-benz-car-model-to-compete-with-mini/

 

[tennmb]

If Mercedes wants to go this route, they need to do it via SMART.

 

[Wolfgang]

The latest update.

Geneva motor show: Smaller than A-class Mercedes "a pending issue" says Daimler boss
Mercedes-Benz could manufacture a new car, smaller than the A-class, to expand its range

The prospect of a range of Mercedes smaller than the A-class is "a pending issue" that will be addressed, according to Daimler chief Dieter Zetsche. Speaking to Autocar at the Geneva motor show, Zetsche said launching smaller models would provide a volume boost to Mercedes, but it "would be a tough challenge to make it profitable.

"This is a pending issue not yet decided, we're looking at a full expansion of the range and some time from now we will look at this open question," said Zetsche.

Zetsche also confirmed the next generation Smart line-up would include a four-seat successor to the Forfour. Whether Smart would expand the Fortwo and Forfour in the line-up is "not decided and depends on the success" of the standard two cars, Zetsche added.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/g...er-class-mercedes-pending-issue-says-daimler-

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[Merc1]

I think I'm going to be sick, matter of fact I know I am. WTF is Smart for then?

M