The Audi Q3 and
BMW X1 may soon have some competition from Mercedes-Benz. In a release marking the start of Mercedes A-Class production at a plant in Rastatt, Germany, the automaker confirmed that the next vehicle to come from the plant will be a compact SUV.
Mercedes hasn’t released official information on the new MFA-based SUV, but the compact luxury crossover may wear GLA badging to
keep in line with the rumored nomenclature restructuring. For now, the GLA’s main competitor would be
the Audi Q3, the brand’s latest compact SUV powered by a turbo-four. The GLA could also attract buyers away from the BMW X1, which comes to the U.S. for the 2013 model year.
Mercedes still hasn’t decided if the A-Class will be headed to the U.S., but a compact crossover from the same plant might have a better chance of reaching our shores. The A-Class hatchback, which debuted at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, is the second model to ride on Benz’s new front-drive MFA platform. The B-Class commenced production in Rastatt back in September 2011. The automaker has confirmed the arrival of the MFA-based CLA-Class, the coupe-like sedan previewed by the stunning Concept Style Coupe. Expect a 2.0-liter turbocharged gas I-4 as the first powertrain for the U.S.-spec CLA four-door and GLA compact crossover. The crossover, if it ever rolls into U.S. showrooms, could attract potential Mercedes SUV buyers who want something efficient and not too pricey, but aren’t interested in the upcoming diesel-powered 2013 GLK250, featured in the photo above.
The new A-Class and other MFA-based vehicles represent another step in the automaker’s “Mercedes-Benz 2020” strategy. The goal is to reach 2.7 million global sales by 2020, which is about double the number of vehicles Benz sold during 2011.
Thanks to: Motor Trend
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