Attention Auto Mechanic Students! The Mercedes C-Class Is Back, But Only In Canada
Being a Canadian auto enthusiast can be frustrating. While the country is the 10th largest manufacturer in the world, our smaller population means we don’t often have the same range of choices as our international neighbors, and car lovers are often disappointed to find out some exciting new models won’t be for sale here.
Auto mechanic students who have experienced such disappointment might have been quietly satisfied when Mercedes unveiled its brand new C300 4Matic at The Montreal International Auto Show last month. Not only does it mark the return of the C-Class wagon north of the border, but the impressive new model will only be available in Canada!
Read on for more about this exclusive for Canadian Mercedes fans, as well as the interesting history of the C-Class.
A Brief History Of The C-Class For Auto Mechanic College Students
The history of the C-Class unofficially began with the production of the 190E in 1982. This was the German automaker’s first compact executive car, manufactured to compete with arch-rival BMW’s 3 series. The 190E immediately made a splash, with Mercedes famously driving three models non-stop for 50,000km over 201 hours around the Nardo Ring in Italy to demonstrate its reliability.
The 190 series eventually evolved into the W202 C36 in 1993—the first model to bear the C-Class badge. Auto mechanic college students might know that this was the first Mercedes developed with the company’s high performance partner AMG. The wagon version was introduced that same year and sold well over the years, but lost popularity as crossovers began to dominate the market.
Key Features of the Mercedes C300 4Matic: An Auto Mechanic’s Guide
While wagons might not be in vogue right now, the C300 4Matic is certainly a fashionable take on the traditional family car. The sleeker design is also more practical, being longer and wider than the previous model with an increased load capacity, and an 80mm increase in the wheelbase resulting in extra backseat legroom.
Under the hood, the four cylinder diesel engine with 200hp and the airmatic suspension should result in a smooth, powerful drive, while the ECO start/stop function increases fuel efficiency. The wagon is also the latest Mercedes to feature the automaker’s Intelligent Drive safety system.
See the Mercedes C300 4Matic here:
Geography & The Auto Industry: Why Some Cars Are Exclusive To Canada
The decision to make the C300 4Matic exclusive to Canada might be surprising, but during your auto mechanic career, you will notice some unique trends among Canadian drivers. For example, compact cars are far more popular in Canada than in the U.S., the Honda’s Civic model remaining the country’s best-selling car for 18 years.
In addition, Canadians who purchase SUVs almost exclusively buy them with all-wheel drive, in order to navigate the country’s icy roads. Meanwhile, Americans have been buying FWD SUVs as a substitute for station wagons. This is perhaps the reason for Mercedes opting to make the C-Class wagon exclusive to Canada, in an attempt to find a more receptive market.
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