PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

I agree.

But Asian markets are sooo different from American markets. In Asia, the A-Class and B-Class are "luxurious" for many. In the U.S., it will only cheapen the brand.

No one will take a sub-compact luxury car seriously unless if it's a roadster.

Americans are still very class oriented. The rich(er) still stick with brands that offer prestige and a little bit of exclusivity. BMW knows that the 1-Series will sell because the 3-Series is sort of a "dream luxury car" for most people out there that don't know any better. If these people find out that they can get an entry-level car for much less, then they'll go for it. But like I said, it will only take away sales from the 3-Series.

As for Lexus, the IS or ES is not the "dream luxury car" that most people think of with entry-level luxury sedans. Having a cheap alternative will only make Lexus look cheap. Lexus is already having a tough time claiming luxury specs with one of the cheaper flagship sedans on the road; BMW and MB are still about $20k+ ahead of the LS, and although the LS gets praise, it has yet to get the same prestige.

Lexmex

I didn't know that about the A, they don't sell them here in Mexico anymore.

The B is a completely different story. The B200 has a 2L 134 hp or a 2L 190 hp turbo that is a beast. It is bigger than and priced here about 10,000 USD more than the A160/190. As a result, it does not sell as well as the A series, but I have noticed that Mercedes is actively attempting in their advertising down here to present a really high class emphasis (before it was kind of passive) on their vehicles.

DASHOCKER

iTrader: (2)

I've seen one of these in NYC with NY plates. It was left hand drive too.

Lexmex

Interesting, I noticed it was sold in Canada,

http://www.mercedes-benz.ca/index.cfm?id=2921

This the wikipedia on it,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_B-Class