Mercedes has long looked at the entire U.S. auto market as fair game, meaning it is not just a place where it can sell luxury vehicles, but a place to market low budget vehicles too. Unknown to some American motorists, the Mercedes name is much broader than simply being a luxury make. Like its German rival, Volkswagen, Mercedes sells cars in Europe that compete directly against the Golf as well as against the luxurious VW Phaeton. Still, introducing a budget Benz to America is a psychological hurdle that parent DaimlerChrysler is delaying making a commitment to. Lets take a look at the proposed B Class and the reasons why the model not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.
For starters, the proposed B Class is based upon Mercedes A Class line of cars. Okay, that tells you a lot! In short, the A Class is a true line of compact cars that are popular in Europe. If you were to give serious consideration to purchasing a Volkswagen Golf you would consider the A Class to be its logical competitor. A slightly larger model, the B Class, makes better use of engine placement and design to produce a car that isnt much larger than the A Class on the outside, but is almost as roomy as the...