| Future news | Mercedes-Benz small family cars |
A whole new range of small Mercedes will arrive in 2011 to replace the current A- and B-Class models. The four new vehicles will not use the 'sandwich' floor of the current models but will have Mercedes' latest range of four-cylinder engines to make production cheaper.
Mercedes says its next generation of small cars will retain the raised driving position of its current models and the new cars will feature cabins that will be very large for their class. Dr Dieter Zetsche, head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: "Mercedes is going to offer an even wider range of exciting premium cars with high levels of comfort, safety and overall quality that are characteristic of the brand."
Dr Zetsche continued: "Our expanded range will allow us to tap into new customer groups and open up new market regions. We are investing in vehicle manufacturing in Germany and elsewhere in Europe."
Part of the new small car programme is a €600 million investment in a new car factory outside of Budapest, Hungary, which will build small cars for the Eastern European markets.
Alisdair Suttie - 19 Jun 2008