The new Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatch may be a premium proposal in the C-segment, but that hasn’t stopped European consumers from flocking to its stores in large numbers to place in their orders.

According to Reuters, Mercedes-Benz CEO Dieter Zetsche told German news daily Die Zeit that the brand with the star has received close to 90,000 orders for the compact hatchback since it introduced the car in the summer (first deliveries started in late-September).

That number is impressive in itself, especially given the economic crisis in Europe. By comparison, the mainstream Volkswagen Golf 7 has achieved a little over 40,000 orders in the continent, though, the Wolfsburg-based carmaker opened the books a few months after Mercedes, while sales started last week.

The new A-Class is the first of a new breed of compact models from Mercedes that will be followed by up by the CLA four-door coupe next year and the GLA small SUV in 2014.

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