SLK/SLC Mercedes-Benz sells 500,000 SLK convertibles

[Bartek S.]

Mercedes-Benz has delivered its 500,000th SLK convertible since the entry-level droptop was launched back in 1996 and surprisingly 190,000 of these are the second-generation model, which debuted only in 2004. The SLK has been runaway success for Mercedes-Benz and has been the market leader for its segment for a number of years.

The compact roadster enjoys the greatest popularity in Germany, with over one-third of all SLK drivers coming from Mercedes’ home market. The rest of Western Europe accounts for a further one-third of sales. While, one in every five SLK customers comes from the U.S. The most popular model among customers is the SLK200, which accounts for half of all SLK sales.
motorauthority

 

[Merc1]

Pretty good numbers for a roadster.

M

 

[ZicZachZo]

The first generation SLK was bought solely for the purpose of flash. It is easily the most chick car MB ever made. Not to mention a car for hair-dressers...

The new one is pretty groovy though.

 

[Merc1]

Love the car in your Avatar, it is an all-tme Benz favorite. If I remember right I have a 1994 or 1995 W124 E-Class brocuhure with that same picture of an E420.

I liked the first generation SLK, but would have never, ever bought one. The current generation however is much more desireable, especially the FL 350.

M

 

[far2000]

thats pretty goodnumbers, the new Slk is clearly gna reach 500 000 modelsin the next 2 years or so..when is the new model expected..??

 

[bmer]

thats pretty goodnumbers, the new Slk is clearly gna reach 500 000 modelsin the next 2 years or so..when is the new model expected..??

To reach 500.000 in 2 years they should sell about 13.000 a month (310.000/24). Isn't that a bit too optimistic? Keep in mind they've sold 190.000 since 2004.

 

[LaArtist]

job well done by the baby roadster..

 

[Tarek]

I'd be very happy driving a FL SLK55 myself,very sexy car IRL

 

[Centurion]

Great! Another pioneering car in Mercedes's portfolio. The world's first car with a hard top folding roof. Bow down people!

 

[Tarek]

The world's first car with a hard top folding roof. Bow down people!

As much i'd love to see that title goes to the SLK but sadly it was Honda CRX who deputed the hard folding roof

 

[Centurion]

As much i'd love to see that title goes to the SLK but sadly it was Honda CRX who deputed the hard folding roof

Uh uh, the CRX had a detachable roof not one which fold with the press of a button

 

[VroomVroom]

Certainly shows...there everywhere

 

[coolraoul]

As much i'd love to see that title goes to the SLK but sadly it was Honda CRX who deputed the hard folding roof

Sorry but it's a 1930's Peugeot (Eclipse I think)... Very unreliable however, and a one-piece roof that takes all the boot. But it's the first car featuring the idea of a retractable steel-roof.

The CRX, from what I know, is more a Targa with power roof isn't it? So hardly a real CC. The C-pillar always stays in place.

The SLK is the first "modern" CC with a real full-size cabrio feeling, and a folding metal-roof in several pieces (two, actually). It's the one who showed the way to all others.

BTW... I prefer the original SLK to the actual one (even FL)...

 

[Centurion]

Sorry but it's a 1930's Peugeot (Eclipse I think)... Very unreliable however

........and up until today Peugeots still are.

I didn't know of the Eclipse. What a engineering nightmare. Great idea, not so good execution. The compartment for stashing the roof in during a hot day in Cannes is like half the car's lenght!

 

[coolraoul]

........and up until today Peugeots still are.

Ahaha that is a good point...

However imagine the shock when this car was released!! instead of the classic fabric-roof, hardly waterproof and absolutely not protective from wind or cold, to move by hand at least at two persons...

And the brilliantness of the mechanism, it's a gorgeous piece of machinery I find. One person can retract the roof quite easily it seems... How elegantly in this red-carpet compartment...

However it was utterly sensitive and never worked properly from what I know, but the idea is brilliant and the realization is really ahead of its time, very modern I find.

The car itself is quite elegant, and it very well could be one of the first pick-up based on a car...

 

[ZicZachZo]

Love the car in your Avatar, it is an all-tme Benz favorite. If I remember right I have a 1994 or 1995 W124 E-Class brocuhure with that same picture of an E420.

I liked the first generation SLK, but would have never, ever bought one. The current generation however is much more desireable, especially the FL 350.

M

Thanks Merc1. It's one of my favorite MB designs as well. When I was a little kid my dad worked for MB as a tech and he drove the 300TE work vehicle quite a bit so I got to ride around in an E class every once in a while. It's one of those cars that will hold a special place in my car-loving heart forever. It's also my dad's favorite Benz as well.

I got the pic from the MBUSA archives and it's listed as the E420 so you are right on the money.