| The Mercedes B-Class, a line of compact cars about | | | | those inclined to purchase a Honda Element or other |
| the size of a Volkswagen Golf, is expected to be | | | | small, boxy vehicle. DaimlerChrysler, the owner of both |
| imported to the U.S. market within one or two years | | | | Mercedes and Dodge, knows that the Hornet is |
| time. This model is unusual in that it will be the first | | | | necessary as the brand's current entry level vehicle, |
| vehicle marketed by Mercedes in the U.S. that is not a | | | | the Caliber, is too expensive to compete against the |
| true luxury car. Instead, the German automaker is | | | | lowest priced cars from Japan and Korea. Considering |
| hoping to capitalize on its venerable name by serving a | | | | that Chinese cars selling for $8500 or less will also be |
| greater share of the American populace by marketing | | | | arriving soon, DaimlerChrysler must respond and |
| a more ordinary model. Soon after the B-Class' debut, | | | | respond quickly with the Hornet. |
| yet another small vehicle derived from Mercedes will | | | | While plans haven't yet been finalized, the Hornet will |
| also make its appearance in the U.S.: the Dodge | | | | likely strongly resemble the concept vehicle now on |
| Hornet. Both the B-Class and Hornet are being | | | | display at car shows around the country. This means |
| developed to revolutionize their respective brands, | | | | that the Hornet will sport a 1.6L I4 mated to a 5 or 6 |
| pitting DaimlerChrysler against some of the leading | | | | speed manual transmission, with a horsepower output |
| youth brands in the world. | | | | of 170. With 19 inch tires, stow and go seating, and |
| Not everyone thinks that it is a good idea for | | | | Saturn ION-like doors, the Hornet will not be confused |
| Mercedes to sell a budget model in the U.S., particularly | | | | with any other vehicle on the road which is exactly |
| one sporting the Mercedes marque. Yet, Mercedes | | | | what Dodge hopes will happen. |
| has been building smaller models for years and in | | | | To keep production costs down, DaimlerChrysler is |
| Europe the brand is known for producing luxury cars | | | | looking for a manufacturing plant, probably in Mexico, to |
| as well as vehicles for the masses. Indeed, Mercedes' | | | | build the vehicle. Aiming to keep prices to around |
| biggest adversary, BMW, also produces a line of small | | | | $10,000, DaimlerChrysler may tap Volkswagen to |
| cars and is planning on bringing these vehicles to the | | | | produce the vehicle at one of its own plants. This |
| U.S. shortly. Thus, like it or not, Mercedes must respond | | | | would enable VW to fill excess capacity and give |
| and the B-Class will be the answer. | | | | DCX a readily available source to produce the Hornet. |
| For Mercedes, the B-Class likely to make it to the U.S. | | | | Yes, the B-Class is poised to change the way |
| will be a four door sedan outfitted with a six cylinder | | | | American consumers think about the Mercedes brand |
| gas engine. A hatchback, popular in Europe, will | | | | while giving the make a chance to capture a broader |
| probably not be included in the deal knowing American | | | | chunk of the market. With the Hornet deriving its |
| consumers' disdain for that particular body style. Diesel | | | | platform and other key components from the B-Class, |
| powered B-Class' are a possibility and will become | | | | Dodge will also benefit and be able to holds its own |
| even more likely should BMW introduce the same. | | | | against Asian imports. Yes, both products present risky |
| For Dodge, the Hornet represents an answer to Scion | | | | moves for parent DaimlerChrysler, one that the |
| and their line of youth oriented brands. While the | | | | automaker must take in an ever changing and highly |
| Mercedes B-Class will likely appeal to VW and Nissan | | | | competitive world. |
| owners, the Hornet will target Scion owners as well as | | | | |