G to be continued?
Below the translation of a recent newspapaer article which suggests that the current G will continue production beyond 2005 in Graz, which has been posted in the USBenzWorld forum ( http://www.mbnz.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1193121 ):
http://www.kleinezeitung.at/nachrichten/wirtschaft/artikel/_652737/index...
Puch-G could remain in Graz as an enthusiasts car.
News that could create rejoicing in Graz: Mercedes is thinking about continued production of the 4x4-icon “G†in small numbers at Magna-Steyr.
But Stuttgart had already made a firm decision. After 25 years, production of the “G†at the Graz Puch factory should come to an end in 2005, only to be be continued in the North American Mercedes factory in Tuscaloosa. Plan was to introduce the new G version in January in Detroit - but now everything could change...
Exklusive Top-Version.
Fact is that currently both parties, Mercedes and Magna-Steyr, are negotiating and crunching numbers to extend the production of the current models in small numbers. Background: The die hard fans of the boxy 4x4-icon show very little excitement over the new version of the classic G to be produced in the US, which is based on the new M-Class and a complete redesign inside and out. Out of fear that part of the customers would switch to products of the competition, they (MB and Magna) are contemplating to continue building an exclusive top version of the current series - parallel to the “new G†in US production.
Luxus und Top-Motor.
Magna Vice Chairman Siegfried Wolf confirmed these thoughts: “We are thinking about 2000-3000 vehicles in exclusive trim, AMG engine and 500HP.â€
However, it is also possible to offer a civilian version of the G which is produced for military duty - since it will be produced beyond 2005, anyway. The question about how to secure the supply of spare parts for thousands of vehicles used in the humanitarian aid and military area could speed up this decision.
We should all write to Mercedes/Magna to voice our support for the idea!
Cheers,
As much as I would like them to continue production, I think they are missing the point if they believe everybody wants their Gs with 500 highly tuned BHPs. What's needed is a car that will translate into a great buy ten years down the track when poeple like me are looking for a second hand G. That means standard suspension, proper tyres (not low profile) and off roadability. If they must have a high power V8, then slip in the 400cdi and leave the high performance AMG versions to the revised (new body) G. Catering to the US market with a 500hp V8 will almost certainly assure the G's early death. The fashion set to whom it will appeal will get tired of it sooner or later, and the G diehards looking for a ten year old G will be left with a bunch of cheesy looking high powerd high maintenace cast offs. Look at how sales of the Hummer H2 are sagging, where can it go now ? Merc must find buyers who value the core values of this product (eg, military, commercial, and us lot !!)
Perfect observation, well said!
Unfortunately the US, although lucrative, is such a distorted market. How else could a thing such as the H2 exist?
Rip out all the electronic junk, which is perversely there in attempt to defeat the laws of physics and keep an alleged off road truck ON the road (ESP etc.) and I would love a 5 litre V8.
Not going to happen though so hang on to your classics.
You have only to look at the US sites to figure that given the hypothetical situation of having a choice of driving somewhere where your life depended on an OFF ROAD truck you would be safer in a 15-year-old 500 quid Toyota than a new G.
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Please send your petitions to:
Daimler Chrysler Execs
1. the boss
Head of Board of Management
Prof. Jürgen E. Schrempp
juergen.schrempp@daimlerchrysler.com
2. MCG (Mercedes Car Group)
Head of Mercedes Car Group
Dr. Eckhard Cordes
eckhard.cordes@daimlerchrysler.com
3. Corporate Communications
Head of Corporate Communications
Hartmut Schick
hartmut.schick@daimlerchrysler.com
4. President & CEO of Magna Steyr
MAGNA STEYR
Manfred Remmel
office@magnasteyr.com
Additional Mercedes Car Group Execs
global product communication Mercedes Car Group
Head: Johannes Reifenrath
johannes.reifenrath@daimlerchrysler.com
Sr. Manager MB passenger cars
Wolfgang Zanker -
wolfgang.zanker@daimlerchrysler.com
Manager new G-Class (+ M-Class, + GST)
Jörg Zwilling -
joerg.zwilling@daimlerchrysler.com
Head Execs and Product Manager of the G-Klasse Division
Head of G division ("Leiter Produktbereich
Geländewagen")
Dr. Michael Grohn
michael.grohn@daimlerchrysler.com
Sales & Marketing (within Grohn's organization)
Juergen Achilles (Distribution civil markets) -
juergen.achilles@daimlerchrysler.com
Heinz Neunzig (Sales & Marketing G-Class America,
Australia & Africa)
heinz.j.neunzig@daimlerchrysler.com
Nikolaus Hecker (custom vehicles, military;
distribution Canada, Asia)
nikolaus.hecker@daimlerchrysler.com
Thomas Mailänder (distribution non-civil) -
thomas.mailaender@daimlerchrysler.com
Jürgen-Michael Weiss (discontinuation G-Class) -
juergen-michael.weiss@daimlerchrysler.com
Keep them comin'!
Cheers!