New MB A Class cheaper than a Commodore more Standard Equipment

[csv8]

NOW you really can have champagne on a beer budget.

And despite the $35,600 price tag, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchback has more standard equipment than a $35,990 Holden Commodore SV6 sedan.

The budget-priced baby Benz, loaded with nine airbags, a rear-view camera and a crash-alert system among other standard fare, is the starkest example yet of the challenges facing local car makers.

The prices of imported cars are at record lows thanks to the sustained strength of the dollar, and Australians are living it up.

Imported cars now account for 90 per cent of new vehicles sold. A decade ago, imports represented 75 per cent of the market. Half a century ago, they represented less than half of new-car sales.

"Last week, we had the highest order intake in our 50-plus year history in Australia," said Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman David McCarthy. "Mercedes-Benz is no longer out of reach of the ordinary Australian."

As a further sign of our changing taste in cars, last year the Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan was the second-highest selling medium-size car behind the Toyota Camry and ahead of the Mazda6 and Subaru Liberty.
Mercedes-Benz A-Class

A new Commodore would be bigger, but the A-Class is cheaper and maybe just a little classier.

Mercedes typically sells about 350 cars a week, but dealer sources say this figure climbed to almost double that in the lead-up to the launch of the new model.

"Half of the buyers of our new cars have never owned a Mercedes-Benz before," McCarthy said. "That shows you they're coming from all types of cars and all walks of life."

To ensure buyers aren't scared off by high service costs, Mercedes has a fixed price servicing deal: $1400 covers all routine servicing for the first 50,000km. A Nissan Maxima V6 sedan costs almost $2000 to service over the same period.
- See more at: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/n....kdJ0uTjm.dpuf

[Hulsty]

Bit pointless, different class of car ( ie size wise, driveline etc)

[FGII-XR6]

intelligent journalism at it's finest, not. a definite case of comparing apples with oranges.

[Road_Warrior]

What a stupid article, brought to you by none other than Dowling.

[dimka100]

A guy at work has the A250 on order.

[Stefan]

Yes different size but at the end if the day it is a car that seats 5, it has 4 wheels that gets you from A to B.

Not for everyone but plenty of people will compromise on size and go the Benz.

It is obvious that we are moving towards the European way, no need for a massive car.

[strobe]

If we were moving towards the European way having a benz A class would be seen as not having champagne tastes, but rather having a small budget.

[flappist]

So you can buy a 90kw FWD 1.6 litre 4 cylinder hatch similar to a $24k Hyundai i30 for only $36k....... WOW.

Next week's article, "New Harley cheaper than a Commodore SV6 with more chrome"
The following week, "New John Deere lawnmower cheaper than a Commodore SV6 with more grass cutting blades"

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by flappist

So you can buy a 90kw FWD 1.6 litre 4 cylinder hatch similar to a $24k Hyundai i30 for only $36k....... WOW.

Next week's article, "New Harley cheaper than a Commodore SV6 with more chrome"
The following week, "New John Deere lawnmower cheaper than a Commodore SV6 with more grass cutting blades"

Gold

The following week, "New BMW pushbike cheaper than a Prius with lower greenhouse gas emissions and better 0-15km/h acceleration times"

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by flappist

So you can buy a 90kw FWD 1.6 litre 4 cylinder hatch similar to a $24k Hyundai i30 for only $36k....... WOW.

Next week's article, "New Harley cheaper than a Commodore SV6 with more chrome"
The following week, "New John Deere lawnmower cheaper than a Commodore SV6 with more grass cutting blades"

You missed the point.

Alot of car buyers are driven by the value of expenditure not always the type of car.

Real world example:

My father in law has always owned Big Aussie V8s (Holden), not the base so new car was between $40K-50K. He now has no need to the big car but still spends the $40 - $50K. So then he bought a WRX, same price range. 3 years later buys an Audi A3 1.8T with DSG, same price range.

While the comparo seems silly, it is much more appropriate than you think as the car buying public shift to another style of car but still spend the $36K on a new car.

No-one is going from a Falcodore to a Yaris or an i30, but I bet prenty go from from Falcodore to a small Euro or Lexus....

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Stefan

You missed the point.

Alot of car buyers are driven by the value of expenditure not always the type of car.

Real world example:

My father in law has always owned Big Aussie V8s (Holden), not the base so new car was between $40K-50K. He now has no need to the big car but still spends the $40 - $50K. So then he bought a WRX, same price range. 3 years later buys an Audi A3 1.8T with DSG, same price range.

While the comparo seems silly, it is much more appropriate than you think as the car buying public shift to another style of car but still spend the $36K on a new car.

No-one is going from a Falcodore to a Yaris or an i30, but I bet prenty go from from Falcodore to a small Euro or Lexus....

No I get the point.

The fashion industry caught on a long time ago that there was money in making low end product for the "wannabe" market. The "look at me" generation just love to show off their D&G mobile phone, <insert expensive brand here> clothes, shoes and fake Tag or Omega as a fake Rolex is just too much of a give away.
This is the perfect car for them. You don't think there is already "look at me" targeted marketing? Do the catch phrases "Hot heels to go" and "Plug in and go" make you want to "Drive Further"?

A $36k tiny bubble car with a prestige badge. You can get an Aston Martin bubble car as well although I don't think it is available in Australia yet.

If you wish to compare to a Commodore or Falcon then look at the 1800kg V6 model Mercs, The A class is a Fiesta or Barina......

[Wretched]

pointless comparison, apples with oranges at its finest.
However one interesting fact from it does highlight how deficient the local cars are in terms of features.

You only only have to look at a Focus, Mondeo or even Fiesta to see how much more is available in those than there is in the Falcon (esp G6E(T) and FPV).

The locals really need to look at this, it shouldn't be that hard, the technology is already available in their OS cars, it is just a matter of engineering into the local cars. I am hoping One Ford will start to rectify this. The car industry is a cut throat one so any advantage you have over your competitor is a bonus.
Our top of the range cars should be utitlising the technologies from the whole Ford family overseas where possible. The G6E, etc really do lack in this area and I hope the 2014 update will be a step in the right direction.

[mcnews]

Mercedes do better press junkets...

[Elks]

Originally Posted by mcnews

Mercedes do better press junkets...

You can be sure of it.

There (MB's) staff is 5 times that of Fords and the have the same again working via agencies, booking agents, conference organisers, and whatever. All this to sell 20 to 30 thousand cars per annum. A fraction of fords. All this whilst using many images and raw info sourced from Europe. Giving them access to great imagery at low cost.

Originally Posted by mcnews

Would you own it out of warranty........?

Never. They struggle to pay under warranty. And the bills are large.

[GQ_Smooth]

Prepare to see Golf sales go down by 40% if MB can maintain their pricing (and have enough stock available).

[GTP-RPD]

Reminds me of a comment Clarkson made once on top gear about the A class.

One day you will be at a party and someone with an S Class will say to you what do you drive and you will say a Mercedes......

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by GTP-RPD

Reminds me of a comment Clarkson made once on top gear about the A class.

One day you will be at a party and someone with an S Class will say to you what do you drive and you will say a Mercedes......

There is that aspect for sure, but it is potentially a better build quality at an affordable price.

My father in law owns a 2010 Audi A3 1.8T 6 speed auto. It is a nice car to drive, loads of features PLENTY of poke and a very solid quality feel that an equally priced BIG car just wont have. So you compromise size gain quality and features.

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by GTP-RPD

Reminds me of a comment Clarkson made once on top gear about the A class.

One day you will be at a party and someone with an S Class will say to you what do you drive and you will say a Mercedes......

But if you bought the Holden SV6, you would put that damn S class owner in his place.


You cannot take anything Clarkson says seriously. In his head the most expensive and powerful car always wins now mater what. Want to feel more successful then your peers? Buy a more expensive and more powerful car then them. Then you win at life. #Jeremy Clarkson Logic

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by Ben73

You cannot take anything Clarkson says seriously. In his head the most expensive and powerful car always wins now mater what. Want to feel more successful then your peers? Buy a more expensive and more powerful car then them. Then you win at life. #Jeremy Clarkson Logic

ah...i don't think so...i remember JC often questioning cars on price.

JC is JC, is opinions are his own, quite often the miss the mark as much as they hit it.


And he is right in this occasion.

[Feathers]

The A class would be a nice toy. Hopped in one at the motor show. I wouldn't trade my Falcon for it, but I wouldn't say no if I was offered one.

[VICFPV]

Its not about apples and oranges anymore.
Its about getting the best out of my spending power.
If I can afford a benz on a beer budget then why would I look at the locals.
Coming down to brand image now.
Locals are doomed as they have an image problem.
Its best to change them to compete in a level playing field.

[mik]

to each his own, i like to look out over a long bonnet knowing there`s a bit more sheet metal in front of me and behind me and along side of me, airbags coming out of every orifice will only help you so far,
i`d rather have a big falcon or a commy, as for the fixed price servicing for 50,000 k`s, i`ll bet price ramps up a bit after that.

[bigsta]

Not really a good comparision really also there is much higer ongoing costs with the benz service wise plus i would not want to own one of the newer euros outside of warranty.

Volvo XC90 a classic example it has a plastic gearbox that it goes through faster then tires and $17k for a new one plus oil and fitting. volvo dealers wont even sell it to you outside the manufactures warranty which is why they cannot give them away after 3 years.


the new golf has a lawnmower sized 1.2L with a turbo and a super charger gives performance comparable to a GTi from 10 years ago but that motor is worked so hard something has to give and it will cost. 30000KM service on that is over a grand too.

[tezxr8man]

The biggest problem with this car is that you are broadcasting to th whole world that you can't afford a proper merc and people will notice that, kind of like owning a 944 porsche was, yes its a porsche but it's not a 911. You just end up looking like a bit of a tool

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by tezxr8man

The biggest problem with this car is that you are broadcasting to th whole world that you can't afford a proper merc and people will notice that, kind of like owning a 944 porsche was, yes its a porsche but it's not a 911. You just end up looking like a bit of a tool

Pfft... so a Focus driver could be considered as someone who couldn't afford a proper Ford because they didn't buy a GT? Is that how that logic works? Seems stupid to me.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Pfft... so a Focus driver could be considered as someone who couldn't afford a proper Ford because they didn't buy a GT? Is that how that logic works? Seems stupid to me.

Only if you were constantly implying that your Focus actually was the same as a GT and FPV stood for "Focus Performance Vehicles"........

But then again I seem to remember reading somewhere that a GT is just an XR8 with a starter button.......

[mcnews]

Would you own it out of warranty........?

[Dave R]

They should write an article about Ford's GT being larger, faster, more practical and 100 grand cheaper than a C63 AMG. It would make about as much sense as this article.

[XR Martin]

And the value for money advantage ends by the time the first service is due.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

And the value for money advantage ends by the time the first service is due.

From the article-

To ensure buyers aren't scared off by high service costs, Mercedes has a fixed price servicing deal: $1400 covers all routine servicing for the first 50,000km. A Nissan Maxima V6 sedan costs almost $2000 to service over the same period.