Mercedes-Benz may bring Small Luxury Car to U.S.

Waiting for Mercedes-Benz’s B-class to arrive in the U.S. market? Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche says it’ll be here by 2012, when the next-generation model is launched.

Mercedes-Benz has hinted that it would bring a small luxury car to the U.S. for some time, but the The Wall Street Journal reports the small car is now under “serious consideration.” The car would, in theory, compete against the likes of the Audi A3, BMW 1-series, and Mini Cooper. Like those cars, the mini-Merc will offer upscale amenities in a small package.

The move to import a compact car reflects the growing concern about emissions and fuel economy. With fuel economy and emissions standards increasing around the world — and the U.S. set to implement a 35.5-mpg national standard by 2016 — a compact car with four-cylinder power is a helpful way to increase fuel-economy.

“We believe the future customer will continue to want to show some statement” with a luxury car, but “the definition of luxury will be somewhat different,” Zetsche told The Wall Street Journal. “It will be fewer CO2 emissions and more modest in appearance.”

If Mercedes-Benz does decide to import a compact luxury car for sale in the U.S., it will be one of four next-generation compact models — possibly the B-class itself, which is already sold in Canada.

Source: The Wall Street Journal