Small cars have never been America’s sweethearts. Now, with gas prices and taxes soaring, a more compact mean of transportation can make sense even over the ocean, hence the A-Class finally making the jump and become officially available in the US, a new report reveals.
However, we’re not talking about the current model, but the next-generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class, bound to make an appearance in 2017 or 2018, the latest.
Recently, the A-Class has undergone a massive facelift meant to keep the model up to date for a couple more years. Launched in 2012, Mercedes’ entry-level compact has enjoyed tremendous success and has in fact reached the American market in limited capacity as the CLA 4-door coupe, but not as a classic 5-door hatchback.
The USA bound A-Class will be built in Mexico, at the Aguas Caliente plant created as a joint venture with the Renault-Nissan Alliance. The 1-billion dollar factory will open its gates in 2017, the same year Infiniti will start assembling there its own version of the A-Class, the re-bodied and renamed Q30 hatchback revealed at this year’s Frankfurt motor show.
A-Class’ rumored debut on the American market is not really a surprise anymore. The sales jump for Mercedes’ compact range has beaten even the most optimistic expectations with 463,000 cars delivered in 2014, up from just 226,000 units in 2012.
