Mercedes is reportedly considering building a premium supermini to rival the Audi A1.
According to a report from headlineauto, Mercedes has been planning to add a supermini to its range for some time. If the new model makes it into production, it will sit below the existing A-Class (pictured above) in the Mercedes range.
However, Dr Dieter Zetsche, Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said that the only way in which Mercedes could build a supermini and make a reasonable profit is by teaming up with another manufacturer. It's not clear whether Mercedes is in talks with other manufacturers, but given that Mercedes already has a partnership with the Renault-Nissan Alliance, it seems likely that the two companies could collaborate on the new supermini.
In fact, Mercedes and Renault-Nissan are already collaborating on a new small-car platform which will underpin the next-generation Renault Twingo. In return, Mercedes will get a Renault-developed van from the deal.
Of course, the new supermini will not be the first small car Mercedes has made -- the company has been making city cars under the smart moniker for fifteen years; however, the new model will be the first sub-A-class car to wear the Mercedes badge.
Mercedes is confident that the small cars in its model range will increase in popularity over the coming years. Zetsche claims that the A-Class family -- which consists of the A-Class, the B-Class, the CLA and two as-yet unnamed future models -- will account for 30 per cent of Mercedes sales by 2020.
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