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Next-generation A-Class to get its own platform
By Yoann Besnard on 19 December 2007 | 
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Mercedes have been in talks with a few carmakers for its future A-Class but all ended in. Daimler CEO has revealed in an article that Mercedes will build its own platform but will use engines built by BMW and PSA.
Zietsche said Daimler was in talks with Fiat but the planned solution brought more problems than really solved the cost problem. It is rumoured that Fiat small platform's production cost is higher than Mercedes A-Class'. The talks with BMW didn't get better and Mercedes finally decided to go on its own.
How will the German manufacturer cut cost? The future small Mercedes won't be built in Germany anymore but in China or in the future Russian plant.
Mercedes has strong ambitions with the future A-Class as it wants to fight with the BMW Mini and the future Audi A1. Besides Ziestche has been caught seating in the Audi A1 at the last Tokyo Motor Show. The next-generation A-Class will be more coupé-biased while the B-Class derived from the C-Class will still be a small MPV. Along the two cars, there will be a small SUV set to compete with the future Mini Crossman.
