Will B-Class ever come to US??

[MBMW8268]

During a recent trip to France, see some very cool cars not sold here in US including the B Class. The B class is very well propotioned and better looking than the R class. It's a shame that MB USA not offering B class in US.

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[slammer111]

B-classes are available here in Canada. Always possible to buy one and import it southward

ps they don't drive that well, especially compared to a C.

[myfirstbenz]

You "can't" import them, apparently there is a clause you sign in a contract in CA that says you won't sell it to us Americans. MBZ likes to screw us on our options down here. For being one of their bigger single markets, it amazes me how few options we have here.

[chixdiggit]

Originally Posted by slammer111

B-classes are available here in Canada. Always possible to buy one and import it southward

ps they don't drive that well, especially compared to a C.

No they don't, but the turbo charged 2.0L can haul *** for a little car. It feels too small inside it too. Trust me you guys in the US aren't missing much.

[kunz]

I live in NJ, and i have seen a B-class parked in front of Barnes and Noble (bookstore) for the better part of a day. I kept an eye on it to see who drove away with it but missed him/her. I took a peek at it, it was debadged, but had Florida manufacturer plates. The rear window had a sticker on it that said "werkwagen". I did some research and found out that MB does indeed want to sell the B-class here, but import costs would be too high and made worse by such a weak dollar compared to the euro. If the dollar improves, we may see a B class in all showrooms. From what i saw, it was about the size of a vibe/matrix but a bit taller and nicer looking. Wierd thing is that in a parking lot filled with cars, i didnt see one person give it a second look...

[Kar don]

b-class sucks. I see them all the time in Hongcouver...err vancouver.

[CA-B200]

I live in southern Calif. and I bought a B200 turbo last year from a BC dealer. Quick, smooth and fun to drive.

[myfirstbenz]

Originally Posted by Kar don

b-class sucks. I see them all the time in Hongcouver...err vancouver.

So true


Say, as far as the B-class in CA, does MBUSA service or perform warranty work?

[CA-B200]

Any dealer here in the US can work on them.

[princesscathryn]

Originally Posted by CA-B200

Any dealer here in the US can work on them.

I live in S. Cali too. Which dealer did you buy your car from? How much did you pay in total?

[Untertürkheim]

MB is considering bringing the B to the US. My cousin is actually working on a possible marketing campaign for the US introduction. This is not to say that they will introduce it, but that they are considering it. Personally, I found the B to be disappointing, especially when compared to a C class Touring (station wagon). The C will far outperform and deliver a much better driving experience without compromising cargo capacity.

[CA-B200]

Originally Posted by princesscathryn

I live in S. Cali too. Which dealer did you buy your car from? How much did you pay in total?

A bit over 35K

[CA-B200]

Originally Posted by Untertürkheim

MB is considering bringing the B to the US. My cousin is actually working on a possible marketing campaign for the US introduction. This is not to say that they will introduce it, but that they are considering it. Personally, I found the B to be disappointing, especially when compared to a C class Touring (station wagon). The C will far outperform and deliver a much better driving experience without compromising cargo capacity.

The B and C are two different cars altogether. I did not want a sedan (of any make) as I don't like the seating position, I prefer to sit up a little higher. This car fit the bill in more ways than one.

I do hope that they bring in the B and the CDI would really be great for someone like my husband who drive 25-30k miles a year.

[Otto]

Mercedes considers bringing B class to U.S.

By DIANA T. KURYLKO | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS

AutoWeek | Updated: 05/21/07, 12:18 pm et

MONTVALE, N.J. -- Mercedes-Benz may bring the B-class small car to the United States, as well as an SUV smaller than the M class.

With rising fuel prices and a move toward smaller passenger cars in the United States, the next-generation B class may have potential here, Ernst Lieb, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, said here in an interview with Automotive News.

But a decision isn't likely soon because Mercedes will focus on the next-generation C class debuting in August for the next several years, Lieb said.

If Mercedes were to sell the B class here, it would be the next-generation model due in 2011. Bringing in a vehicle that's midway through its life cycle would make little sense, Lieb said.

Lieb said the key would be determining whether potential Mercedes buyers are truly interested in a Mercedes smaller than the C class.

"Today when I talk to customers, I really wonder if they are ready for a small car," he said. "Younger customers who have been in Europe and driven the car as a rental car are very open to it. The more traditional Mercedes customer is a little hesitant."

Three years ago, Mercedes-Benz axed plans to bring the B class to the United States because of unfavorable currency exchange rates. It would have gone on sale in fall 2006 as the new entry car for Mercedes-Benz in the United States.

Mercedes-Benz wanted to price the B class below $26,000 in the United States. The current compact B class is 168.1 inches long, about 10 inches shorter than the C-class sedan.

Lieb said Mercedes also has looked at the small SUV segment, but no decision has been made on whether that kind of vehicle is suitable for the United States.

"We see that success depends on your price position," he said. "If you are not capable of coming in with a real competitive price, you will not be successful. You need a certain number to make it work."

[davezaristo]

I saw a b-class at my local mb dealership yesterday indicating that it is going thru testing in Death Valley. The car appears to be US spec since everything is in mph. Now i am pretty sure that the B-class will come to the US and probably sooner than 2011.

[CA-B200]

Which dealership? We want to get another one...maybe we should wait a little while.

[Outland]

Originally Posted by chixdiggit

No they don't, but the turbo charged 2.0L can haul *** for a little car. It feels too small inside it too. Trust me you guys in the US aren't missing much.

190HP from a turbo'd 2 liter is lame. The smaller, supercharged 1.8 makes the same power. If MB brings this over, it would be best with a diesel. As a high mileage alternative to a small suv or wagon, it might have some appeal.

[harkgar]

Originally Posted by CA-B200

Which dealership? We want to get another one...maybe we should wait a little while.

We have the B in Canada. We also have the Smart diesel. You are not missing much in the USA. It does not sell well at all.

The B class is a German designed (I do not know if it is even produced in Germany) Toyota Echo wannabe. The interior is not well finished and the car is transverse engine front wheel drive.

The base engine is anemic. The turbo is optional. There is no diesel option. For the same price you can buy a Japanese car superior in virtually every way (Honda Accord, Honda Element, Toyota Camry).

MBUSA is not importing the B for a very good reason. Image or lack of it.

[harkgar]

Originally Posted by Kar don

b-class sucks. I see them all the time in Hongcouver...err vancouver.

Are you referring to the Chinese in Vancouver? They do buy a lot of MB.

[Derek L]

Originally Posted by harkgar

We have the B in Canada. We also have the Smart diesel. You are not missing much in the USA. It does not sell well at all.

The B class is a German designed (I do not know if it is even produced in Germany) Toyota Echo wannabe. The interior is not well finished and the car is transverse engine front wheel drive.

The base engine is anemic. The turbo is optional. There is no diesel option. For the same price you can buy a Japanese car superior in virtually every way (Honda Accord, Honda Element, Toyota Camry).

MBUSA is not importing the B for a very good reason. Image or lack of it.

I loooovvvee my B200. Honda accord, a great car but the bikes and gear don't fit upright as in the B. Honda Element great but lacks styling points, and you'd have to be a basket ball player to load the roof. Camry, I kept one for 23 Montreal winters and it was the best ever and I do miss it but the bikes and gear didn't fit well. The B does it all with safety and style, something that wasn't available with the Camry. I hope to keep the B for that long also.Time will tell! Cheers, Derek

[harkgar]

Originally Posted by Derek L

I loooovvvee my B200. Honda accord, a great car but the bikes and gear don't fit upright as in the B. Honda Element great but lacks styling points, and you'd have to be a basket ball player to load the roof. Camry, I kept one for 23 Montreal winters and it was the best ever and I do miss it but the bikes and gear didn't fit well. The B does it all with safety and style, something that wasn't available with the Camry. I hope to keep the B for that long also.Time will tell! Cheers, Derek

Horses for courses. I cannot argue with you on that one. I just think that the B is over-priced.

By the way do you know the Canadian government is planning to scrap the 15year old limit for secondhand cars into Canada? Previously all passenger cars of that age and older can be imported into Canada from the USA and now they are proposing to increase that limit to 25 year old cars. This effectively will kill off all imports from south of the border.

I can smell the dealership lobbyists in this one.

[marc32]

The only way you will see a B-class in the USA is thru diplomatic orders. Diplomats are allowed to bring in pretty much any car they want. The interesting part most of them don't take the car back with them instead they sell it here

[Mike T.]

I'm ordering a B 200 tomorrow. Sure, it's not a great handling car, but I don't need that. Been there, done that, with other cars. The volume is immense inside and it's a comfortable touring car. Good enough for me.

[KiwiRobbie]

Originally Posted by Outland

190HP from a turbo'd 2 liter is lame. The smaller, supercharged 1.8 makes the same power. If MB brings this over, it would be best with a diesel. As a high mileage alternative to a small suv or wagon, it might have some appeal.

Its only a few hp down on the Golf GTi which it competes against in Europe, this is a Golf sized car, that's its market, nothing more nothing less. There is supposed to be an AMG version on the way as well.

[CA-B200]

Originally Posted by marc32

The only way you will see a B-class in the USA is thru diplomatic orders. Diplomats are allowed to bring in pretty much any car they want. The interesting part most of them don't take the car back with them instead they sell it here

Any one can bring a B class into the US. If I can bring one into California then all the other states should be easy.