Well, M-B will have to expand the assembly in Alabama anyway due to the fact the R-Class smaller SUV--which will be sold around the world--will be produced there. As such, they might as well do as part of the expansion putting in the jigs that will make it possible to assemble the B-Class "tall wagon" at that place, too.

I think M-B miscalculated trying to bring over the B-Class by assembling the car in Europe and not in the USA, especially now with the high value of the Euro, the same problem that prevented BMW from importing the 1-Series until the six-cylinder version becomes available in the 2006 calendar year (more or less).

Because the B-Class will likely sport a 200 bhp engine at least in US form, it will be a fairly decent-performing car.