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The Mercedes G-Wagon hit a big milestone recently when number 600,000 rolled off the assembly line in Austria. That’s right, there have been hundreds of thousands of these boxy, bougie off-roaders manufactured over the years, showing the model line has real staying power.
Car theft continues to be a huge problem.
That milestone SUV was a G 580 wearing Obsidian Black Metallic. It was a fitting example of what many people around the globe enjoy driving, either strictly on pavement or through rugged terrain.
Considering it was just last year that number 500,000 of the G-Wagons rolled off the production line, it’s clear the popularity of the SUV is picking up as of late.
Mercedes attributes the success of the current generation of the G-Wagon to the Manufaktur factory customization program. It claims the G-Class is number one of out of all model lines for people using the service with over 90 percent of G-Wagon buyers opting for at least one custom option.
On average, G-Wagon buyers go with three Manufaktur options per vehicle, including one of up to 20,000 paint hues. We’re sure that generates quite a bit of revenue for Mercedes.
The G-Class or G-Wagon as it’s affectionately known first launched into the market in 1979. Originally designed as a military transport vehicle, the highly capable off-roader was instead marketed to consumers.
However, many at first found it to be odd, especially when it was imported to the US where Americans were used to seeing the three-pointed star badge on luxury cars, not rugged trucks.
Over time, as celebrities and other cultural leaders latched onto the G-Wagon, it’s grown in popularity. Still, opinions about the expensive, luxurious, yet highly capable off-roader run the range, with many either loving or hating it.
Image via Mercedes-Benz
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