Today is

By: Ikedi Ani-okoye.

Mercedes

Back during the 1980s when Mercedes introduced its first “baby” Mercedes, the car was received with mixed reviews. Motorists loved the car, now a “C” series model, as it made a Mercedes automobile affordable for the middle class.

On the other hand, critics worried that the esteemed Mercedes-Benz name would suffer as a car touching the price level of many ordinary American models would soon become part of the line up. Today, even smaller Mercedes are planned for the US market. Will this be a huge mistake for the German automaker or is Mercedes incorporating smart thinking?

Mercedes-Benz and diesel engines

Mercedes-Benz has long been an expert builder of diesel engines, producing hundreds of thousands of the alternate-fuel driven power plants every year. Indeed, in Europe alone, a significant portion of the vehicles destined for continental homes are diesel aspirated models. In the U.S., howeve.

Mercedes is having a bit of a problem with its line of diesel engines as more stringent emission control standards makes the marketing of diesel powered cars more difficult. Starting this fall Mercedes will be introducing its all new E320 Bluetec diesel powered car that meets EPA standards; unfortunately, five states will not permit the sale of these models leaving parent DaimlerChrysler feeling a little bit blue.

Mercedes and BMW

When you think of German automotive excellence, Mercedes and BMW are two brands that easily come to mind. Audi, too, has been making a name for itself and is poised to cause a lot of trouble for its Bavarian cousins with its current line of cars and planned models.

The cream of the crop Audi is the A8, a true champion and a terrific alternative to BMW and Mercedes. Let’s take a closer look at Audi’s top-of-the-line sedan and what it has to offer to you, the European sedan enthusiast.

The Mercedes name

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. Let’s take a look at the proposed B Class and the reasons why the model not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.

CONCLUSION

The B-Class is poised to change the way American consumers think about the Mercedes brand while giving the make a chance to capture a broader chunk of the market. With the Hornet deriving its platform and other key components from the B-Class, Dodge will also benefit and be able to holds its own against Asian imports.