Report: Mercedes-Benz to offer small luxury car in the U.S. by 2012

Mercedes-Benz BlueZero Concept

Daimler AG’s CEO Dieter Zetsche told The Wall Street Journal that Mercedes-Benz is planning on bringing a new small luxury car to the United Stated by 2012 in an effort to compete with the Audi A3, BMW 1-Series and the Mini Cooper.

“We believe the future customer will continue to want to show some statement” in the luxury car the customer drives, but “the definition of luxury will be somewhat different,” Zetsche told WSJ. “It will be fewer CO2 emissions and more modesty in appearance.”

Zetsche said that Mercedes-Benz will offer upscale luxury in a smaller package and that the brand will import at least one of four next-generation compact models it will start selling in Europe in late 2011.

Now we’re not sure of Zetsche is talking about the A-Class or B-Class or a brand new model – stay tuned for further details.

– By: Omar Rana

Source: WSJ