The Mercedes C-Class is a veteran of the auto industry. It's been with us under that name since 1993 and even longer if you also consider the 190 range. Right up until the baby-A's conception, this was the smallest car the German brand offered and yet it was never embarrassing, never an eyesore. In fact, if you ask me to name the best looking modern classic from the early 90s, it would probably have the letter C on it.
But just like the BMW 3 Series, the C-Class sedan has steadily gone upstream, adding complicated equipment, larger engines, packing the inches at both ends and increasing interior space to where you would't necessarily call it a "compact" sedan.
Buying the CLA-Class sedan is one solution, but if a classy Merc is what you want, what's wrong with the slightly old W204 series?
Before being replaced by the newer W205, it was still a great looking car which came with lots of powerful engines. In simple black with silver alloys, the C-Class of old had, and still has, a timeless quality that its rivals could never muster. I think I'm not alone in saying that for the right price, this car would still be worth buying today!
Now, before I explain why, let me first tell our American friends and readers where this is coming from. You see, selling older cars is somewhat common in Europe. Opel does it with the Astra (think Buick Verano) by shifting production and equipment to Poland and calling it the "Astra Classic". Renault does the same with the Clio. The best example was of course the Audi A4, rebadged as the SEAT Exeo and sold until the end of 2013. Overseas, there aren't as many examples of this, but Infiniti did announce both the old and the new Q50 sedan would be offered.
Getting back the the idea of a C-Class Classic, or C-Classic as I'd like to call it, it would only need one or two engines, the best one bing the 170 hp 2.1-liter diesel fitted to the 220 CDI. One set of standard alloys, one navigation system size, one trim level and only a handful of paint options should/would simplify the production process immensely.
If you've ever ordered a fleet of executive cars, you'll know how important the price is. Often, only the very basic diesel engine can be afforded because money is tight and it needs to go towards navigation and parking sensors, or other features your employees deem mandatory. So having everything there as standard on a cheaper Merc would open up a huge market for company, one which would normally be lost to the Opel Insignias and Skoda Octavias of the world.
That's all marvelous, but the benefits in emerging markets are 10x better. Buyers in China, India and Brazil will flock at the chance of owning the famous chrome star for less. After all, prestige and wheelbase have proven to be far more powerful marketing tools than novelty value and the latest in safety technology.
Only clever banter can sell a twisted idea like this one, but unfortunately I'm fresh out of that. Instead, a World War II reference is going to have to do. The Panzers were the biggest, most advanced tanks in the war, but they were outnumbered by simpler Russian and American models. Nothing special, nothing fancy – sometimes, more is better!
Buying the CLA-Class sedan is one solution, but if a classy Merc is what you want, what's wrong with the slightly old W204 series?
Before being replaced by the newer W205, it was still a great looking car which came with lots of powerful engines. In simple black with silver alloys, the C-Class of old had, and still has, a timeless quality that its rivals could never muster. I think I'm not alone in saying that for the right price, this car would still be worth buying today!
Now, before I explain why, let me first tell our American friends and readers where this is coming from. You see, selling older cars is somewhat common in Europe. Opel does it with the Astra (think Buick Verano) by shifting production and equipment to Poland and calling it the "Astra Classic". Renault does the same with the Clio. The best example was of course the Audi A4, rebadged as the SEAT Exeo and sold until the end of 2013. Overseas, there aren't as many examples of this, but Infiniti did announce both the old and the new Q50 sedan would be offered.
Getting back the the idea of a C-Class Classic, or C-Classic as I'd like to call it, it would only need one or two engines, the best one bing the 170 hp 2.1-liter diesel fitted to the 220 CDI. One set of standard alloys, one navigation system size, one trim level and only a handful of paint options should/would simplify the production process immensely.
If you've ever ordered a fleet of executive cars, you'll know how important the price is. Often, only the very basic diesel engine can be afforded because money is tight and it needs to go towards navigation and parking sensors, or other features your employees deem mandatory. So having everything there as standard on a cheaper Merc would open up a huge market for company, one which would normally be lost to the Opel Insignias and Skoda Octavias of the world.
That's all marvelous, but the benefits in emerging markets are 10x better. Buyers in China, India and Brazil will flock at the chance of owning the famous chrome star for less. After all, prestige and wheelbase have proven to be far more powerful marketing tools than novelty value and the latest in safety technology.
Only clever banter can sell a twisted idea like this one, but unfortunately I'm fresh out of that. Instead, a World War II reference is going to have to do. The Panzers were the biggest, most advanced tanks in the war, but they were outnumbered by simpler Russian and American models. Nothing special, nothing fancy – sometimes, more is better!
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