Click to enlarge.
The 600,000th unit of the legendary Mercedes‑Benz G‑Class (aka Geländewagen) rolled off the production line in Graz, Austria. It was a G580 with EQ Technology in Obsidian Black Metallic, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) said this week. Accompanied by the S- and E‑Class, the G-Class is one of the longest-produced model series in the history of Mercedes‑Benz passenger cars.
“The off-road icon, often praised for its remarkable off-road prowess, has been writing its own success story since 1979. The G‑Class achieved cult status within its growing fan base with its unique combination of unmistakable design and exceptional off-road capability,” MBUSA said in a release that was likely available in global versions in various markets. In the U.S. the G-Class was originally a grey market car from Europa International. Mercedes-Benz ultimately bought the distribution rights and put the G-Class in its official US model offerings.
Mercedes-Benz also said “The degree of individualization available for the G-Class is among the highest in the Mercedes‑Benz lineup. With the Manufaktur portfolio, customers have numerous possibilities for personalization. Over 90 percent of G‑Class customers worldwide now choose at least one Manufaktur option – on average, it’s three per vehicle globally. Manufaktur also fulfills the increasing demand from G‑Class customers for heritage paint colors and exclusive hues inspired by iconic designs.
“The very first model combined superior off-road capability with on-road comfort and a high level of safety typical of Mercedes.
“In the past four decades, the G-Class has evolved from its utilitarian roots while retaining its unmistakable character. All-wheel drive, differential locks with 100% locking and the robust ladder frame have been part of the G‑Class since the beginning. Iconic design elements such as the round headlights, the exposed spare wheel on the side-opening rear door and the distinctive silhouette ensure the off-road icon is still recognizable today as the first model in 1979,” Mercedes‑Benz said.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Milestones – 600,000th Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Click to enlarge.
The 600,000th unit of the legendary Mercedes‑Benz G‑Class (aka Geländewagen) rolled off the production line in Graz, Austria. It was a G580 with EQ Technology in Obsidian Black Metallic, Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) said this week. Accompanied by the S- and E‑Class, the G-Class is one of the longest-produced model series in the history of Mercedes‑Benz passenger cars.
“The off-road icon, often praised for its remarkable off-road prowess, has been writing its own success story since 1979. The G‑Class achieved cult status within its growing fan base with its unique combination of unmistakable design and exceptional off-road capability,” MBUSA said in a release that was likely available in global versions in various markets. In the U.S. the G-Class was originally a grey market car from Europa International. Mercedes-Benz ultimately bought the distribution rights and put the G-Class in its official US model offerings.
Mercedes-Benz also said “The degree of individualization available for the G-Class is among the highest in the Mercedes‑Benz lineup. With the Manufaktur portfolio, customers have numerous possibilities for personalization. Over 90 percent of G‑Class customers worldwide now choose at least one Manufaktur option – on average, it’s three per vehicle globally. Manufaktur also fulfills the increasing demand from G‑Class customers for heritage paint colors and exclusive hues inspired by iconic designs.
“The very first model combined superior off-road capability with on-road comfort and a high level of safety typical of Mercedes.
“In the past four decades, the G-Class has evolved from its utilitarian roots while retaining its unmistakable character. All-wheel drive, differential locks with 100% locking and the robust ladder frame have been part of the G‑Class since the beginning. Iconic design elements such as the round headlights, the exposed spare wheel on the side-opening rear door and the distinctive silhouette ensure the off-road icon is still recognizable today as the first model in 1979,” Mercedes‑Benz said.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.