Mercedez Benz News Next-Generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class To Add Diesel

[William Maley]

By William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

April 16, 2013

Mercedes-Benz is preparing an all out attack with the BMW 3-Series when the next-generation C-Class when it goes on sale next summer.

The current C-Class has been making some inroads into the 3-Series. Comparing just the sedan variants, the C-Class sold 70,493 C-Classes in North America last year – just 4,690 fewer than the 3-Series sedan in the same timeframe. However, the 3-Series has a much bigger lineup that includes a sedan, wagon, coupe, convertible, hybrid, and diesel. Mercedes-Benz has the C-Class sedan and coupe. Compare them again with their entire model lineup and the 3-Series has a huge lead. In 2012, BMW moved 99,602 3-Series vehicles. Mercedes-Benz only moved 81,697 C-Class vehicles.

"We were fighting the 3 series with two arms tied behind our back, and now we will change that," Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Steve Cannon said in an interview with Automotive News.

When the new C-Class goes on sale next summer, it will initially debut as a sedan. That will be followed by a coupe and convertible in 2015. Sometime thereafter will be a diesel, hybrid, and all-wheel drive models.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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[G. David Felt]

I think the CTS & ATS were wake up calls to MB and BMW along with the quality of the Audi that is going to make this segment a very exciting one as product will only get better and better.

[ZL-1]

I think the CTS & ATS were wake up calls to MB and BMW along with the quality of the Audi that is going to make this segment a very exciting one as product will only get better and better.

and the newest Jaguars too

[G. David Felt]

Agreed, while I tend to forget about Jag, they have stepped up their quality to be taken notice of and cannot be overlooked.

[smk4565]

The diesel is needed, they could get the C-class over 40 mpg with it. This is where the diverse engine lineups of BMW and Mercedes give them strength. You can't get a diesel from the Japanese or American luxury brands, and the IS, G37, and ATS don't have a hybrid either. Body styles is another strength, this is how they hit a big spectrum of the market.

[balthazar]

I realize most people are going to be extremely dismayed & disappointed that the sedan comes out in 2014, the coupe & convert take another year, and the diesel, 4WD & hybrid will take 2 or 3 years!

Because these same people always FREAK when an American brand staggers it's intros.....

[G. David Felt]

The diesel is needed, they could get the C-class over 40 mpg with it. This is where the diverse engine lineups of BMW and Mercedes give them strength. You can't get a diesel from the Japanese or American luxury brands, and the IS, G37, and ATS don't have a hybrid either. Body styles is another strength, this is how they hit a big spectrum of the market.

I hope your truly talking about the variations of models from 4door, 2door, convertible, etc as I find with the exception of the M and AMG line BMW and MB style is way to bland and boring for what they sell and Cadillac is far better with their Arts and Science style.

[smk4565]

The diesel could be there at launch, that engine already exists and will be on sale here this summer in the E-class and GLK. They will have to move on the coupe and convertible, if the sedan comes out in the fall, the 2-doors could come in the spring. Mercedes is chasing BMW in this segment and they know they can't go a 1 or 2 years with no coupe, when the BMW has one.

[G. David Felt]

Very true that MB needs to move fast. I hope that with the recent changes of leadership for Cadillac that they properly build the showroom and give a complete family of auto choices to be the world class leader again.