Daimler Rules Out Mercedes-Brand Minicar

Daimler AG tells Automotive News Europe the company has decided against developing a Mercedes-Benz-branded car smaller than its current subcompact A-Class model.

CEO Dieter Zetsche says Daimler's Smart minicar brand could add a slightly larger model to fit into that market segment. But he tells ANE no decision has been made to do so.

Zetsche's comment refers to an Auto Bild report a year ago saying that Daimler was studying plans for a range of "X-Class" cars that fit between the Smart and Mercedes A-Class cars.