Downsizing trend could bring small Mercedes to U.S.

STUTTGART, Germany - A global trend toward smaller cars and less powerful engines means DaimlerChrysler could one day launch a Mercedes-Benz compact car in the United States, group research chief Thomas Weber told Reuters. Mercedes-Benz does not sell any small cars in the United States now, in part because it does not want to dilute the brand's high-end image and also because the weak dollar complicates the business case for European-made exports.