On The Road 4/16: 2021 Mercedes GLB250 4matic SUV
By Peter Perrotta
Just about 7 years ago, when I was selling Mercedes Benz automobiles, a representative from the German automakers North American headquarters gave a presentation to our sales crew on where the product lineup was heading.
It was generally upbeat. But, decidedly pointed in one direction.
“Smaller.”
“We are going to get smaller.”
That was the clear-cut message. What the Mercedes rep meant, more specifically, wasn’t that Mercedes, as a company, was going to shrink. No company looks to the future and says that.
Rather, he was saying that the product lineup and offerings in the North American market were going to lean towards offering smaller cars and SUVs with smaller engines that are less expensive and get better gas mileage.