Mercedes Considering Introducing Convertible SUVs To Lineup
Up until 2013, one could purchase a Mercedes G-Wagen with a droptop. Now, the automaker is thinking of dropping the tops throughout its SUV lineup.
Mercedes sports cars and SUVs chief Wolf-Dieter Kurz says it may be possible to bring a convertible SUV to market once the market for them is found, CarAdvice.com.au writes. He says the reason Mercedes stopped producing the G-Wagen Cabriolet after 34 years was due to a combination of volume and production reasons, adding such a vehicle exists in “a very slim niche in terms of the SUV portfolio.”
As for who might go for it, Kurz believes China would be a good start for a GLA or GLC convertible, though sales may be an uphill battle:
… China is not very good these days, or in total, in terms of convertibles, in terms of classical sedan-based coupes, in terms of roadsters. And it’s somewhat also the driving force in the meanwhile for the overall portfolio: can it be successful in China?
He adds there are “lots of discussions” and market research regarding convertible SUVs, but no decisions whether to press forward or not have been made thus far.
(Photo credit: Mercedes-Benz)
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Mercedes switched their business a while ago from selling reliable, robust vehicles to those who care about that kind of thing, to milking people with more money than sense. Their reputation in China, though, isn't what it is in Europe or the Middle East, so luring in the suckers there is more of an uphill endeavor.
Old hat. SsangYong did this on Mercedes mechanicals, witness the SsangYong Musso line up.
German Suzuki Samurai. Awesome.
Average TTAC commenter: 1. Doesn't read article 2. Sees picture of Mercedes G convertible, doesn't know G convertible was produced & sold from 1979 until 2013, albeit not in the US 3. Makes unfunny Suzuki Samurai joke This site has turned into autoblog.com