Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class 2014 News

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced its latest round of automotive recalls, with models from Citroen, Holden, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi and Peugeot affected.

Last year the vehicle market notched up a record with 1,136,227 sales, busting the previous zenith by about 24,000 and confirming that in Australia, one million-plus is the norm.Figures for November, released last week, show sales have already passed the million mark, and when the final tally emerges in early January the industry will congratulate itself on another bumper year.In reality, it has spent most of 2014 in reverse and it would take a freak December to even approach last year's total.If the trend holds, then the overall decline will be about 2 per cent - equivalent to 500 fewer buyers a week. But it's a mixed picture for the 50 or so brands, with the gap between winners and losers larger than ever.With one or two exceptions, the winners by a substantial margin are luxury brands. Their share of the market now approaches 9 per cent, up from 7.7 per cent last year, and it's reflected in some impressive numbers.The German luxury trio dominates but Australia bucks the trend by favouring Mercedes-Benz ahead of BMW and Audi.With its small car range - the A, B, CLA and GLA - flying out of showrooms, the three-pointed star is stretching its lead over BMW and rubs it in by selling more of its expensive performance variants as well.Its bestseller, the C-Class, has been available for only a few months but will finish the year as the third most popular mid-size car at any price - behind only the Toyota Camry and Mazda6.Audi's ambition is to overtake its German peers and become No 1 here, replicating its position in Europe and China. After slowing in 2012, its growth spurt has resumed and it's catching BMW on the strength of its award-winning A3 small car.Some of the second-tier luxury brands are powering ahead even faster. Thanks to its new-generation Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, demand for the British SUV specialist is up 22 per cent. It will finish as the fourth most popular luxury marque.Ironically, SUV demand is also powering Porsche. It cannot get enough of its second SUV, the Macan, and waiting times are stretching the patience of buyers. Without the Macan, Porsche was on track for a record. With it, sales are up almost 50 per cent. When Maserati adds an SUV, the Levante, in 2016 it can expect to get a comparable boost.Super-large, super-expensive SUVs are what the elite badges lack but they are all working on one. Even so, Maserati's push for volume is yielding results. The new-generation large sedans Ghibli and Quattroporte have almost tripled sales this year.Even among the luxury brands there are losers. Volvo lacks the deep pockets of the Germans and is struggling to keep its product pipeline full. Its dealers will doubtless breathe easier when the overdue replacement for its XC90 SUV arrives in the second quarter next year, with sales down 7 per cent in 2014.Lexus is another that has waited too long for fresh product and its NX mid-size SUV arrives too late to prevent it treading water.Among mainstream brands, losers are much easier to find than winners. Over-optimism and the pressure to grow meant many ended 2013 carrying too much stock, with Nissan the standout - but far from sole - example.The traditional solution to this problem, and one by no means limited to mainstream brands, is for the distributor and/or dealers to register cars themselves.It's a way of meeting sales targets but it simply saves up trouble, not the least of which is an excess of ageing 'demonstrator' models that sooner or later have to actually be sold. When they are, the sales have already been counted.Combine that with an assault on their traditional territory by the luxury brands and everyone from Toyota to Honda, Holden to Ford, has seen their numbers go south.But the biggest losers in 2014? Cheap Chinese brands, with Chery sales down 35 per cent and Great Wall almost 60 per cent.

The new car market may not be performing but sports cars are.The latest VFACTS figures show Australians are racing to performance vehicles in record numbers and are happy to spend more than $100,000 to drive their dream car.The $80,000-$200,000 sports car segment is up more than 20 per cent so far this year and dedicated sports vehicles overall account for about one in 20 new cars sold.That doesn’t include go-fast versions of regular models, an area where the Germans continue to dominate.The move isn’t limited to prestige European brands: HSV is on track to eclipse 3000 sales in 2014. HSV marking boss Damon Paul says there’s still strong momentum forthe Gen-F range.Range Rover Sport sales have doubled this year to 2200, while Jaguar sales are up 15 per cent.Iconic sports car maker Porsche has had 44 per cent growth, with 2224 vehicles.The German trio — Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz — are all posting records.Audi’s S and RS models are the fastest movers and are likely to rival HSV in terms of overall sales this year.More than 2400 buyers have chosen Audi performance models, against about 800 sales at the same time last year. That number should surge over the next couple of months with the introduction of the S1 Sportback, which at $49,900 is the cheapest quattro model in the four-ringed line-up.Benz has shifted more than 2200 of its AMG-badged cars and can likewise expect a surge in sales after last month’s GLA45 AMG compact SUV launch.It is a similar story at BMW, despite a gap between the run-out of its old M3 and the launch of the new M3 sedan and M4 coupe/convertible.BMW has sold 1142 M-badged cars to October’s end, a 75 per cent increase on 2013.

More and more small-car buyers are finding their $20,000-something budget can upgrade them from what they need into the SUV they really want.A small SUV explosion is hitting showrooms and, as Mazda teases its CX-3 this week ahead of the Los Angeles show, it looks as if every brand that's serious about winning new owners is focusing on that segment. It's much easier to get a first-car buyer hooked on your brand than to win a convert later, which is why so much advertising is now aimed at on twenty-somethings and the SUVs they crave."People like them, they're practical, they're flexible, and you can sit up high. And there is an adventure element, even if you never use it," says Mazda Australia marketing chief Alastair Doak."With these vehicles, because they're priced from the low $20,000s and up, more people are realising they can actually afford an SUV." The boom has pitched the Ford EcoSport and Holden Trax against the Subaru XV, probably the best looker but limited by lacklustre performance and an undersized boot.The two biggest sellers in the class, the Hyundai ix35 and Volkswagen Tiguan, will be punted out of the competition in 2015. They are both beyond the size limits for a 'small' SUV tag, something now recognised by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.So the pecking order will change, even more with the arrival of the CX-3 and Renault Captur, denied to Australia for nearly a year as a result of booming worldwide demand."It's a big growth segment and we're keen to jump into that. This gives us an entry right at the sweet spot," says Doak of the CX-3.He believes the new Mazda can change the rules in the class, just as the Mazda3 and latest Mazda2 are doing, with a combination of an efficient 1.5-litre SkyActiv engine and front-wheel drive, good looks and classy finishing. As to price, he merely says the CX-3 will be very competitive when it arrives next year."We are going to treat this with the respect it deserves," he says, "and make sure we have a full line-up of models." He expects the arrival of so many baby SUVs to create much wider ripples in Australian motoring, by winning sales from the small-car class rather than the cars with which they share platforms. So that could mean fewer people will buy a Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Corolla or Mazda3.If that's true, it could tip the balance of power completely in favour of work-and-play utes in the fight for No. 1 in showrooms. The Toyota HiLux has topped the sales charts several times and, with a new model landing in 2015, it could become a longer-term leader in Australia.CHOICESHolden Trax - Three starsPrice: From $23,990Engine: 1.8-litre 4-cyl, 103kW/175NmTransmission: 5-speed man; FWDThirst: 7.0L/100kmLowdown: Not the best in the class but a very strong seller thanks to the pricing, Holden badge and recent engine upgrade. It's the benchmark but doesn't set the bar too high for comparison drives.Mercedes-Benz GLA - Four starsPrice: From $47,900Engine: 2.1-litre 4-cyl turbodiesel, 100kW/300NmTransmission: 7-speed auto; FWDThirst: 4.6L/100kmLowdown: Best of the new-generation Benz babies but also one of the dearest in the class. Works very well as a basic front-drive turbo diesel. The AMG 45 is the one to get if you have an unlimited budget.Subaru XV - Three starsPrice: From $28,490Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 110kW/196NmTransmission: CVT; AWDThirst: 7.0L/100kmLowdown: Good-looking, well-built with security of AWD. Not a great performer and small boot is a major flaw for kid-friendly motoring. Good for city singles.SECOND-HANDThe Nissan Dualis is the one for me, even though it's now called the Qashquai after the arrival of an all-new model a couple of months ago.It's the right size for most people, is well priced and drives well enough, and there is even a seven-seater if you need it.The Dualis is not as sexy as newer arrivals, because it hit before the youth drive in small SUVs, but it still does most things right. Nissan's long-term warranty and the basic quality also make sense for the longer haul.

New Honda Jazz sets new benchmark for rear view cameras: $14,990.

QR codes -- the tiny scrambled square symbols that instantly link smartphone users to specific sites on the internet -- can now be used to save lives.Mercedes-Benz is going to start fitting QR codes to all cars sold in Australia since 1990 -- almost 300,000 vehicles -- to show emergency crews where to cut open the car's body structure after a serious crash.Rescue workers with a smartphone will be able to simply scan the QR code inside the door opening or behind the fuel-filler door to bring up an x-ray picture of the car, with instructions that pinpoint the best places to use the jaws of life.The first Mercedes-Benz with the "rescue card" QR code went on sale in Australia today, the $47,900 compact SUV called the GLA. But the company said it will soon offer the QR code stickers free of charge to owners of all Mercedes-Benz passenger cars sold since 1990."Over the coming months we will set up a program of how customers can collect the sticker for their cars," said Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman David McCarthy."We think it's an important initiative for road safety and we would encourage the rest of the industry to adopt it. The emergency services are already dealing with complex technology in vehicles and this is about the safe extraction of injured occupants."Mercedes-Benz said it will also start briefing emergency services around Australia about the technology. "Anything that can save time in a rescue situation can potentially save lives," said NSW Police Inspector Phil Brooks, the operations manager of the traffic and highway patrol command. "We look forward to reviewing this technology for the benefit of road safety."Mercedes-Benz introduced the QR code rescue stickers in Europe last December but other manufacturers are expected to follow.This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowlingHow it works-- Rescue workers can use a smartphone to scan a QR code on a crashed car to bring up an x-ray view that pinpoints the best places to cut into the car's structure.-- There are two QR codes: one behind the fuel filler door (in case the doors won't open) and one on the opposite side of the car inside the front door opening.-- All new Mercedes-Benz cars sold from now will come with QR codes and in the coming months the company will offer the stickers free of charge to owners of all Mercedes-Benz cars since 1990. 

Mercedes is making things hard for its prestige competition with strategic pricing on several models, the latest of which is the GLA-Class arriving in a couple of months with an attractive entry level of $47,900.That gets you into the front-wheel drive 2.2-litre GLA200 CDI diesel, which for the price delivers 100kW of power, 300Nm of torque and an admirable 4.3-litres/100km fuel economy.Sitting above that is the $57,900 GLA250, carrying a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with outputs of 165kW/350Nm, delivered to Merc's 4-Matic all-wheel drive with the seven-speed dual clutch transmission shared by all variants. On the top shelf there's the $79,900 GLA45AMG with a hand-built 265kW/450Nm turbocharged petrol four.All engines have stop-start technology, while the 4-Matic gets downhill speed assist and an on-demand offroad transmission mode. Options packages include some offroad capability for the GLA200 and driver assistance features for both it and the GLA250, plus AMG extras that add sharper dynamics, sportier suspension and larger wheels.Mercedes says the new arrival will have particular appeal to a younger demographic. "Our new GLA-Class reinterprets the compact SUV segment," CEO Horst Von Sanden says. "Continuing the success of our range in the compact class, the GLA broadens our offering to a youthful, more dynamic target market. Its expressive design, practicality and versatility, and superb performance will ensure that the GLA-Class is highly desired in our local market." 

The Mercedes-Benz tie-up with Nissan-Renault for supply of some engines could result in a baby X-Class SUV based on the little Nissan Juke and Renault Captur.The German brand's head of research and development, Thomas Weber, told the UK's Auto Express a crossover was under consideration to sit below the coming A-Class based GLA and GLA45 AMG. “We are watching it closely, but there are other gaps in the range that are more interesting,” he is cited as saying.Previous reports in German media have suggested that the engine tie-up between the companies could result in a small crossover based on the same platform that underpins the Juke and Captur -- and likely powered by the turbo engine from the latter.That means a 1.6-litre twin-turbocharged four-cylinder unit developing 118kW of power and 380Nm of torque. However if the project gets the nod, expect interiors to be considerably more upmarket to distance the Merc from its Nissan-Renault cousins.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

The US car industry has come full circle and returns to old-fashioned horsepower at this year's Detroit motor show, with large pick-ups and "America's Ferrari" set to steal the limelight from imported exotica.Centre of attention at the show, which opened overnight Australian time, is Ford's new F Series truck, which has for decades held the title as the planet's favourite vehicle and makes a watershed move to aluminium construction.The bold decision, aimed at cutting fuel consumption, takes aluminium mainstream and makes Forda pioneer in volume production using the metal.Demand for pick-ups has rebounded since the global financial crisis and Ford sold more than 760,000 of the outgoing F Series last year, up 18 per cent.It has kept details of the redesign secret and will hope it can upstage its rival from General Motors, the Chevrolet Silverado, tipped to win Truck of the Year.US buyers strongly favour full-size pick-ups but last year GM broke ranks and offered a version of the smaller Colorado, described as "mid-size" in the US. At a preview event for the show, GM unveiled the GMC Canyon, a more upmarket version of the Colorado with a bull nose and acres of chrome.It marked the first appearance for Mary Barra since she was named chief executive - the only woman to lead one of the car giants. "I'm honoured to stand here tonight and humbly lead this team," Ms Barra said. "It's a team of men and women doing unbelievably great work."It comes just weeks after GM shed its "government motors" tag, with Washington selling the last of the shares acquired during the GFC. As well as a truck award, GM is also in the running for Car of the Year with two out of the three finalists -- a Cadillac and its reborn Chevrolet Corvette. The new Corvette has earned a reputation for delivering Italian sportscar performance at a fraction of the price. A track-focused version, called the Z06, will be GM's show star.The Z06 will compete for crowd attention with the Ford Mustang, which makes its first public appearance after private unveilings last month.GM's recovery milestone has a parallel at Chrysler, after Fiat recently acquired complete control.The smallest of the US "Big Three" is now wholly foreign-owned but rebounding thanks to a focus on Americana, with its controversially redesigned Jeep Cherokee SUV winning over sceptics. It too is in the running for Truck of the Year.Unlike the F Series and Corvette, it will be shipped to Australia starting mid-year. Hometown drawcards will force foreign brands backstage despite an impressive line-up.German and Japanese carmakers are also stressing traditional petrol-driven horsepower with an exceptional crop of performance cars. BMW debuts two halo junior executives in the M3 sedan and M4 coupe, which drop V8s in favour of six cylinders but have more power and better efficiency thanks to turbocharging.Lexus has the M4 in its sights with the RC F, a V8 coupe based on its mid-size luxury sedan. Meanwhile, Mercedes rolls out its next generation C-Class and a tuned version of its small off-roader, the GLA 45 AMG; Porsche shows a retro-flavoured 911 Targa sportscar; and Mini a concept that previews the upcoming John Cooper Works go-fast edition.Audi will attract attention for a crossover concept. It is expected to preview its smallest SUV yet, likely to be called Q1. The Detroit show has yet to return to its glory days of over-the-top presentations and for-the-fun-of-it concept cars, but the industry has been bolstered by 15.6 million sales last year and newfound confidence after the economic storm of four years ago.   

The baby of the AMG-tuned Mercedes-Benz SUV line-up will bow at Detroit motor show this week, but the German brand is already giving us a first look at the production version on the road in official video.Facing off against the coming Porsche Macan and Audi RSQ3, the GLA45 has added AMG wizardry to the GLA-Class crossover, with a lower-riding body on stiffer suspension -- with an even more hardcore ride as an optional extra.It gets an angry-looking aerodynamic bodykit, 19-inch or optional 20-inch wheels with AMG-badged brake calipers, and the chance to dress things up further with more carbon-fibre. The interior also gets the sporty treatment with huggy seats and chunky wheel with F1-style paddle shifters.Under the clamshell bonnet is the same handbuilt 256kW/450Nm 2.0-litre with twin-scroll turbocharged engine found in the A45 AMG and CLA45 AMG -- getting you to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds and on to a peak speed of 250km/h -- with a seven-speed DSG driving the front wheels for everyday use and all four as needed in a 50:50 torque split. The ESP is switchable to Sport or Off, and has torque-vectoring to apply imperceptible braking on the rear inside wheel to aid cornering.The GLA45 AMG will hit showrooms in other markets after mid-2014, but arrival here hasn't yet been confirmed -- although with a growing buyer appetite for luxury crossovers, you can bet the local HG are already working on the business case spreadsheets.