R-Class Mercedes kills slow-selling R-class in U.S.

[PHYBENZ]

The Mercedes-Benz R-Class has reached the end of the road in the United States. Mercedes-Benz will halt U.S. sales of the slow-selling crossover after the 2012 model year, although the R-Class will remain available in some global markets.

Mercedes spokesman Chrisitan Bokich confirmed to Motoramic on Friday that the R-Class will not return to the United States for the 2013 model year. The minivan-like crossover has been a slow seller in the U.S. since launching in 2005, but sales have declined recently “to the extent that we can no longer make the business case for continuing to offer the R-Class.” Mercedes has only sold about 300 units of the R-Class in the U.S. so far this year.

Although the R-Class will no longer be available in the United States, Mercedes will continue to offer the CUV in Mexico, Canada and China, where it actually enjoys decent sales. Mercedes’ Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant will continue to crank out the R-Class through 2015.

Motoramic suggests Mercedes-benz will eventually replace with R-Class with a sleeker-styled crossover based on the M-Class.

leftlanenews.com

 

[Wolfgang]

other options: Sprinter or Infinity JX.

Sprinter-Source.com - The best reSource for Sprinter van owners and enthusiasts.

 

[Giannis]

Do I see someone without pants in that photo?

 

[deity]

There's a sprinter enthusiast forum...I had no idea..

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

It's a shame how much they watered it down from concept form. Interior was dreary, IMO. While it'd been niche, there was potential to make a proper S-class level people mover, but in production form, they really screwed the pooch on that.

 

[Merc1]

Oh well, can't say I'm shocked.


M

 

[K-A]

Good. Get that sh** out of here! At least with all the brand dilution coming along, they're still trimming out some of the garb.

 

[Mr.Link]

Wish they did this in 2005 itself, well better late then never,

Was such a good concept back in 2001 I think not sure but as GST or something like that? Had Bang and Olufsen sound system etc. But no clue where they went on the drawing board,

 

[BVC500]

So weird. The concept was received so well, and the production version was very close to the concept, except for interior materials, so it should have sold well. I know the price was too high at first. I always thought it was nice looking, but maybe a little too niche market.

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

YES!!!! Now if only BMW would kill off the 5 GT....

 

[Centurion]

YES!!!! Now if only BMW would kill off the 5 GT....

They probably will. Once the world got a taste of SUVs, there was no turning back. The golden age for SUVs was when the Chrysler Voyager was a around. But that was Pre-soccer mum SUVs.