| Mercedes Plans a Small-Car Volley (in the US)
Read this in WSJ today - Mercedes May Introduce Small Cars in the U.S. - WSJ.com
Some snippets from the article below:
"Daimler AG is considering launching a series of small Mercedes-Benz cars in the U.S. in a bid to tap Americans' growing interest in downsized models that offer upscale features and finishes.."
"These diminutive Mercedes would go head to head with an expanding field of premium small cars in the U.S., including the A3 from Volkswagen AG's Audi unit and BMW AG's 1 series and Mini Cooper."
"Daimler's tentative move comes as buyers in Europe and the U.S. are increasingly redefining what they want in a luxury car. The severe economic downturn has driven even affluent consumers toward smaller and more understated models with higher fuel efficiency.
U.S. sales of large sport-utility vehicles such as the Chevrolet Suburban have plunged, while sales of tiny but stylish subcompacts such as the Honda Motor Co. Fit have grown.
Analysts attribute some of Daimler's drop in global sales this year to a product mix heavy on large luxury models and light on more modest vehicles, compared to, for example, German rival Audi, whose sales have fallen relatively modestly.
Beyond the recession, premium car makers such as BMW and Daimler are eager not to be on the losing end on what many see as a longer-term shift toward more environmentally friendly luxury cars, as more buyers put a premium on clean technology than on horsepower and flash." (Bold mine)
Cheers, | 
13th November 2009, 09:10
