Mercedes will continue to sell the CLA-Class alongside the new A-Class sedan

The sub-compact Mercedes-Benz Class A will go on sale in the United States early next year. And while it's easy to assume that this new model will replace the CLA, the truth is that these models will coexist in the Mercedes showrooms.

At a media event for Class A in Seattle this week, a Mercedes-Benz representative told Roadshow that the current CLA class would be sold until a new one arrived. ;next year. A redesigned GLA class crossover will follow.

the A class will be sold in A220 front-wheel-drive versions and four-wheel drive A220 4Matic, and will "establish a new bridge for the Mercedes-Benz brand," according to a spokesman.

Regarding the way in which A and CLA rub shoulders, Mercedes representatives refer to the relationship between the largest class E and CLS cars. That is to say that the CLA-Class will be a little more elegant and a bit more upmarket, despite powertrains and similar equipment.

It also means that the CLA will be more expensive, completely avoiding its unique position as a point of entry for less than $ 30,000 of Mercedes. The price of Class A has not yet been announced, but it should start below $ 35,000. This means that the CLA class will probably approach $ 40,000. And when you add the options, you will get $ 50,000, which is a lot.

Critically, it is difficult to imagine that there is enough room in the sub-compact premium sedan market to handle both the A and CLA models, especially at these higher prices. This specific segment currently only includes the CLA and the Audi A3, and on a larger scale, we have seen car manufacturers completely move away from the sedans. That said, the new A-Class is a very good little car – read our first driving history for the complete shakedown – So, a second take on an irresistible formula is not necessarily a bad decision.