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Mercedes to U.S. Dealers: Expect Fewer CLAs For Now
by
TTAC Staff
(IC: employee)
Published: December 16th, 2013
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Due to high demand from customers jumping aboard the CLA bandwagon, Mercedes-Benz has warned dealers in the United States that supply of the new four-door coupe will be limited for the first half of 2014.
The popularity of the CLA helped the Stuttgart automaker widen its lead in the U.S. over the Bavarians at BMW while also bringing in a younger demo to the showroom; the median age of a CLA lessee is 46, while 57 is the age of majority for Mercedes overall.
In the meantime, supply of the front-driven coupe will be tight up through June 2014 as the factory screwing them together is at maximum capacity.
TTAC Staff
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Published December 16th, 2013 1:22 AM
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This is a shocker to me. I live in a place where the C- and E-class (together) are about as common as the Accord. But I've yet to see a single CLA anywhere. I also see a half-dozen R-class models every day, and that was killed for low volume.
Have yet to see a CLA in the flesh either. And I will dread that day when it comes.
I agree with TybeeJim above. I don't know what the average transaction price of this car is but I'd guess around 34-35k. It's a stylish, compact Mercedes that delivers good fuel economy. I don't understand the hand wringing and teeth gnashing directed at it. Does it have E or S class interior appointments? No, but I don't expect that. I expect solid engineering, a nice interior and a nice ride. Do you expect an Accord to have the same amenities of an Acura? A 3 series to be the analog of a seven? I haven't driven or sat in the car yet so I can't make a quality statement but some have a real hard-on for this car and I feel its misplaced (and keep it away from me). I wouldn't have a problem with Mercedes bringing the whole kit and kaboodle over to the states. Trucks, buses, delivery vans, OTR trucks et al. A well built vehicle is a well built vehicle. Amenities will match price points. I think the U.S. consumer can take the utter horror of seeing the three pointed star on an eighteen wheeler.
I was curious about CLA, but all of them in nearby dealers started from $37k. With the same money, I ended up buying a Q50.