Would Canada Embrace the A-Class?
With Canada's fuel prices much higher this year than at any time previous, most new car buyers have added fuel economy onto
 |
| With gas prices the way they are, every manufacturer is looking at entering the ever growing subcompact market. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
To address this need automakers such as Toyota and Mercedes-Benz have brought and are in the process of bringing their Echo Hatchback and smart fortwo to market respectively, while premium compact brand MINI continues to do well. Currently most entry-level brands have announced or at least are talking about entering new models into the North American subcompact segment, this while large SUV sales are gradually decreasing. It's news enough to make a militant environmentalist fire a few rounds in the air as a token symbol of victory. Well... maybe not, but it's a move in the right direction.
Being that Mercedes-Benz is already launching the smart brand in Canada this year, and by 2006 in the U.S. with the introduction of the forfour, the A-Class most likely won't be coming across the Atlantic. While it's about as far away from any Canadian's idea of
 |
| While it probably won't ever show up in North America in its current iteration, the premise of a truly high-end, luxuriously equipped Mercedes subcompact is interesting to consider. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
Even in Europe where the A-Class has been on the market for one generation already, its styling, shape and general purpose doesn't really fit inline with its Mercedes-Benz siblings. Its powertrain, chassis and just the fact that it uses front wheel drive separate it even further from the rest of its family members.