The new entry-level model from Mercedes-Benz will cost $30,950 to start, the German firm's Canadian marketing operation has announced, but there's no price yet on the larger and more expensive R-class model.
That's the base price on the B-Class mini-minivan -- the B200 -- that will replace the C-Class Coupe at the bottom of the brand's price ladder, and it's now available in dealer showrooms across Canada. No price was given for the more powerful B200 Turbo.
Mercedes-Benz Canada's other new model -- the R-Class minivan -- will arrive in those same 58 stores. Prices for the larger and more expensive vehicle will not be announced until later in September, with the car itself due in those same stores by October 1.
Though they share a general configuration and purpose, the B- and R-Class models are not going to be going after the same consumers at all.
By moving down-market with the B-Class, Mercedes-Benz Canada says it
is "once again asserting its role as the trendsetter among car brands and preparing the way for a young market segment."
Mercedes-Benz Canada president and CEO Marcus Breitschwerdt says the B-Class "meets the wishes of today's younger and discerning motorists who are looking for a car with generous space, exemplary comfort, excellent practicality, an exciting design and a high level of driving pleasure."
In his view, "the new B-Class is an innovative and ground-breaking vehicle concept that is, in pure Mercedes-Benz tradition, pioneering new and untapped segments. The B-Class will broaden the brand's scope further than ever before and represents a significant opportunity for Mercedes-Benz Canada to target completely new consumers."
Breitschwerdt's right about the B-Class being ground-breaking, since the starting price for this compact vehicle is several thousand dollars less than Mercedes-Benz Canada has charged for anything in a very long time.
Currently, the least expensive Mercedes in Canada is the two-door C230 Coupe at $36,950, with the cheapest four-door vehicle from the Stuttgart firm being the C230 Sedan at $44,380. (The ultra-compact Smart car costs less, of course, but that's not a Mercedes model.)
The move to give people with less money a chance to buy a new Mercedes-Benz is not a strategy without risk, however. The danger is that buyers will see the firm previously known for luxury models only to be de-basing its own brand identity in pursuit of more sales. This may not
hurt Mercedes at the bottom end of the market, this theory goes, but people who are willing to pay two, three or even four times as much for the famous star might not like it.
The attempt to go down-market with the C-Class Coupe was a huge failure in the U.S., for example, since sales were well below what was expected and the grumbling from traditional consumers more than hoped for.
Only time will tell how the B-Class and the upcoming 1-Series from BMW will do and what affect they'll have on the "exclusive" labels both firms like to hang on themselves.
That's the base price on the B-Class mini-minivan -- the B200 -- that will replace the C-Class Coupe at the bottom of the brand's price ladder, and it's now available in dealer showrooms across Canada. No price was given for the more powerful B200 Turbo.
Mercedes-Benz Canada's other new model -- the R-Class minivan -- will arrive in those same 58 stores. Prices for the larger and more expensive vehicle will not be announced until later in September, with the car itself due in those same stores by October 1.
Though they share a general configuration and purpose, the B- and R-Class models are not going to be going after the same consumers at all.
By moving down-market with the B-Class, Mercedes-Benz Canada says it
 |
| 2006 Mercedes-Benz B-Class (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
Mercedes-Benz Canada president and CEO Marcus Breitschwerdt says the B-Class "meets the wishes of today's younger and discerning motorists who are looking for a car with generous space, exemplary comfort, excellent practicality, an exciting design and a high level of driving pleasure."
In his view, "the new B-Class is an innovative and ground-breaking vehicle concept that is, in pure Mercedes-Benz tradition, pioneering new and untapped segments. The B-Class will broaden the brand's scope further than ever before and represents a significant opportunity for Mercedes-Benz Canada to target completely new consumers."
Breitschwerdt's right about the B-Class being ground-breaking, since the starting price for this compact vehicle is several thousand dollars less than Mercedes-Benz Canada has charged for anything in a very long time.
Currently, the least expensive Mercedes in Canada is the two-door C230 Coupe at $36,950, with the cheapest four-door vehicle from the Stuttgart firm being the C230 Sedan at $44,380. (The ultra-compact Smart car costs less, of course, but that's not a Mercedes model.)
The move to give people with less money a chance to buy a new Mercedes-Benz is not a strategy without risk, however. The danger is that buyers will see the firm previously known for luxury models only to be de-basing its own brand identity in pursuit of more sales. This may not
 |
| 2006 Mercedes-Benz B-Class (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
The attempt to go down-market with the C-Class Coupe was a huge failure in the U.S., for example, since sales were well below what was expected and the grumbling from traditional consumers more than hoped for.
Only time will tell how the B-Class and the upcoming 1-Series from BMW will do and what affect they'll have on the "exclusive" labels both firms like to hang on themselves.