Despite earlier rumors that Mercedes may be replacing the legendary G-Wagon with the upcoming GL-Class, DaimlerChrysler has officially announced today that they will continue producing the G-Class in coming years.

The legendary G-Wagon has remained virtually unchanged in it's design since 1979, except for various safety and technology upgrades. According to Dieter Zetsche, head of the Mercedes Car Group, "Mercedes-Benz wrote automotive history by always ensuring that the G-Class remained state of-the-art over the past 26 years, and it will continue to offer its customers the very latest technology in the future.”

Production for the G-Class will remain at the Magna Steyr Plant in Graz, Austria, where over 185,000 have been produced throughout the years.

Although the G will remain with Magna Steyr, DaimlerChrysler has also announced today they will be moving E-Class production (which has been with Magna Steyr since 1996) to the DaimlerChrysler plant in Sindelfingen from early 2007.

For more info on the G-Class and E-Class production, you can check out the full press release below.


OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


Mercedes-Benz G-Class: Legendary Off-Roader Will Remain Part Of The Mercedes Product Lineup

Stuttgart/Graz, Nov 11, 2005

DaimlerChrysler will continue to produce its “classic off-roader” in the coming years. On behalf of Mercedes-Benz, the company Magna Steyr has manufactured over 185,000 units of the legendary G-Class in Graz, Austria, since 1979. The car continues to be very popular among customers, and it has been part of the Mercedes product lineup for the past 26 years.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class 4MATIC, which Magna Steyr in Graz has also been building since 1996, will be manufactured instead at the DaimlerChrysler plant in Sindelfingen from early 2007. “By continuing to produce the G-Class in Graz and manufacturing all E-Class variants at our main plant in Sindelfingen from 2007, we have found a viable solution for both partner,” explains Dr. Dieter Zetsche, DaimlerChrysler Board of Management member and head of the Mercedes Car Group. “We are delighted that we can continue our successful and long-standing cooperation with Magna Steyr.”

With its rugged technology and outstanding off-road capabilities, the G-Class has set standards from the very start. And it is equipped with the industry’s most effective drive and driving safety systems, combining permanent all-wheel drive with the 4ETS electronic traction system and three differential locks that are activated when needed.

The vehicle’s striking shape, which has remained nearly unchanged over a period of almost three decades, has made the “G” a design classic with cult status. Together with its legendary ruggedness, the off-roader’s design has contributed most to its popularity. “Mercedes-Benz wrote automotive history by always ensuring that the G-Class remained state of-the-art over the past 26 years, and it will continue to offer its customers the very latest technology in the future,” says Zetsche.


Copyright © 2005, DaimlerChrysler AG

Thank you MB! I guess they finally heard the masses!!!

They heard us!!

I must say I'm happy that the G class has staying in production, it's a great looking car and, is a classic car. It's still top IMO, and it doesn't lack power, with the G55!

I wonder what will happen with the Land Rover Defender!

I guess they let the G class die slowly.

But what about the model we see in the spy shots? If it's not new G class what is it?

You know, i bet they really did, the decision had to come from the choice of buyers and such forums as this one. They were full blast into this new GL looking thing. I guess all the negative responses, had them reconsider.

We should all take a bow!

Well, although I'm happy the G will stay, I always thought it had character. But ***, a G and a GL? So now they hey have how many cars in this segment or close to the same segment? ML, R, G, GL, E estate 4-matic, a possible 7-seater ML, ... Is this how they are thinking to regain top position?

I say drop that GL, it only looks like a big ML and just improve the G.

Please make all the soccer moms happy by throwing in the 63 engine under the hood of the car.

I'm sure it's a bit late for that, they have already invested a lot of money into the new car!

Great news, Thanks Alx.

And i agree with Rik, MB is goin insane with all these models, its like theres a new model every year.