When the third-generation of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class was released, it soon became a big success everywhere it was sold. But despite the popularity of the smallest and most affordable model in the Mercedes range, the German luxury automaker refrained from offering it in the lucrative American market. That's finally coming to an end though, as the latest redesign of the entry-level Mercedes is going to be made available to buyers in the US as the company believes it finally has a version that will appeal to US consumers.
It's probably because for the first time, Mercedes is going to offer a sedan version of the A-Class, and that's the one US dealers will be able to look forward to selling in the autumn of 2018 as a 2019 model year.
The timing could be seen as a little puzzling by some observers though. Firstly, US buyers are not exactly in love with small cars right now as crossovers dominate to such a point that the likes of the Dodge Dart and Chrysler 200 have already been completely discontinued. Secondly, although the US auto market has been more than a little resistant to hatchback body styles in the past, the likes of the latest Honda Civic and Chevrolet Bolt appear to be changing perceptions after now being offered as hatches as well as sedans.
But the global sales chief of Mercedes-Benz, Britta Seeger, says, "We truly believe that now with the body style we have the right answer for the market. It's a very attractive car for younger people – but not only for younger people – it can have a broad audience because it's a nice entrance into the Mercedes-Benz family."
The redesigned A-Class will be built on the company's MFA2 platform, which already underpins the likes of the CLA and GLA crossover, and the A-Class sedan for the American market is expected to be built at a Nissan-Daimler joint venture assembly facility to open in Mexico.
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