Don't worry, Mercedes isn't going too small
 | Diana T. Kurylko covers various U.S. import brands for Automotive News |
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NEW YORK -- Mercedes-Benz is going small, but not too small, says its new U.S. chief.
A concept four-door with sporty coupe styling will be shown in Los Angeles later this month. It will be a preview of the new A/B compact vehicles the automaker will begin selling in the United States starting late next year, Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Steve Cannon said yesterday at the New York auto show.
The new four-door reportedly will be called the CLC -- a name Cannon would not confirm.
It's new territory for Mercedes-Benz, a brand synonymous with large and spacious luxury sedans.
But this new family of cars on a new platform won't be competing with the Fiat 500 or the Mini Cooper hardtop, Cannon said.
The first car will only be "a couple of inches" smaller than the C class, he said.
The C-class sedan and coupe are about 181 inches long. The Fiat 500 is 139.6 inches long.
But even aside from being a couple of inches shorter than the C class, the new four-door will be different enough to draw customers who normally wouldn't have considered or bought a Mercedes, Cannon said.
For Mercedes, getting small right will be big a feat.
You can reach Diana T. Kurylko at dkurylko@crain.com. -- Follow Diana on 
