Mercedes-Benz knows just where to scratch Americans where they itch: the wallet. The German automaker sold 2,300 of its new CLA compact the first week they were available in America. If this pace keeps up, the sub-$30,000 luxury sedan will soon be the top selling Mercedes in the U.S.
The carmaker’s rivals seem to have little chance against the CLA. The BMW 1-series, the closest rival to the CLA, starts at $31,000 and moved just 468 cars last month in the U.S., more than a nine percent drop.
Industry observers have been impressed with the new CLA. “We weren’t sure how luxury buyers would react. Through one week, it looks like they’re scooping it up,” said Alec Gutierrez, a Kelley Blue Book analyst.
