2014 CLA domination will help Mercedes-Benz overtake BMW

The 2014 CLA-Class is impressing everyone and buyers are snatching up the all-new four door coupe in big numbers and BMW is worried. The CLA is already exceeding expectations for the German automaker and is the reason Mercedes will outsell rival BMW as the top-selling luxury brand. The Mercedes CLA is the third compact luxury car to be released by Mercedes as they attack the compact segment.

It’s not by accident that Mercedes is closing fast on BMW. Mercedes-Benz has a strategic plan to overtake BMW and Audi and become the number one luxury brand in the world. The growth strategy includes the CLA-Class and it’s already working here in the U.S. market. For the past two years, BMW won the title of top-selling luxury brand in the U.S., and it looked like they would repeat it in 2013. But that was before Mercedes launched the CLA-Class here in the U.S. market in September. In it’s first full month in October, CLA sold 4,895 four-door coupes.

And last month, Mercedes reported that it sold 3,623 CLAs, and year-to-date U.S. sales for the model were above 10,000 total. That’s an extremely fast start and the new stylish CLA will likely continue that trend in December to push Mercedes past BMW for the top luxury car brand in the U.S. Mercedes already holds a lead over BMW, by 7,610 vehicles after November.

The CLA’s starting price of $29,900 is part of the reason new buyers who could never afford a Mercedes before are being drawn to the brand. BMW doesn't have a sedan that can compete with the CLA’s price. While many are surprised at how successful the CLA has been in such a short time, the new four-door coupe arrived here in the U.S. at the right time as many millennials are looking to purchase their first luxury vehicle.

Mercedes CLA is a game-changer

The CLA will definitely be a game-changer for Mercedes-Benz. It gives an all-new access point to the brand for a new generation of customers who have never purchased a Mercedes product before. And BMW should be worried because the CLA-Class comes loaded with standard features and can be customized for individualization.

The new CLA can be ordered with a special appearance package that appears on the lower front facia gives the CLA an awesome sleek look. It features B-Xenon headlamps, daytime LED running lights and the illuminated Mercedes Star in the front grille. It can also be ordered with the new-generation 4MATIC all-wheel-drive and is a skiers dream car.

It comes loaded with safety features that all come standard for the base price of $29,000. CLA comes with COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST, ATTENTION ASSIST, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Anti-Theft Alarm System, Electronic Parking Brake, Driver Air Bags, Window Air Bags, Driver Knee Air Bag, Passenger Knee Air Bag, Side Impact Air Bags and Remote Key with Panic Button. Power memory seats for both driver and passenger are also standard features.

And for performance fans, CLA45 AMG will appeal to those who couldn’t afford an AMG product before because of pricing. At $47,450 it gives potential performance buyers a way to buy a true performance AMG vehicle at a price point they would never see before. AMG touched every part of the new CLA where it matters most. It’s all about performance and the muscular stance and appearance.

BMWs status as the leader in luxury car sales in 2013 is in jeopardy as the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class is on the offensive. BMW is now looking through the windshield and seeing Mercedes pass them. Keep you eye on Mercedes as they continue the offensive with the all- new GLA luxury compact SUV that launches here in the U.S. late next year. It looks like Mercedes will not only pass BMW here in the U.S., but also around the globe.