- M-Class is the trendsetter among today’s offroaders
- J.D. Power’s APEAL study confirms outstanding customer response
Since the European market launch of the second generation M-Class in April
2005, Mercedes-Benz has delivered 250,000 models of the SUV to customers around
the world. Featuring the most advanced technology - such as the 7G-TRONIC
seven-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, AIRMATIC air suspension,
and the PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant protection system - this
trendsetter among today's offroaders continues to be a great success in this
growing market segment.
In September 2007 global sales of the M-Class once again reached new record
levels, contributing significantly to the record-breaking sales that
Mercedes-Benz posted in the SUV segment. Since the beginning of this year,
131,300 M-, R-, GL-, and G-Class vehicles were delivered to Mercedes-Benz
customers worldwide, an 11 per cent increase compared to the same period last
year.
In Australia, 5,027 units of the second generation M-Class been delivered to
customers since the vehicle was launched here in October 2005. Worldwide, the ML
320 CDI is the top seller among the M-Class engine versions, representing
approximately 40 per cent of M-Class sales. This figure is also reflected in
Australia, with the ML 320 CDI, the most popular choice for customers,
accounting for just over 41 per cent of local M-Class sales.
Beginning next year, three clean and economical Mercedes-Benz SUVs with
BLUETEC technology - the M-Class, GL-Class, and R-Class - will be
available to American customers in all 50 states. These vehicles comply with the
stringent BIN 5 standard and also have the potential to meet future EU5 and EU6
limits.
In June of this year, the J.D. Power study “Automotive Performance, Execution
and Layout” (APEAL) confirmed the customers’ very positive response to the
M-Class: Two vehicles from the Mercedes-Benz line-up of SUVs, the M-Class and
the GL-Class, which received a Gold award, came out top in the customer survey.
As part of the annual study, the U.S. market researchers ask owners of new
vehicles how satisfied they are with their vehicles’ concepts.
Like the R-Class and GL-Class models, the M-Class is produced in the U.S., at
Mercedes-Benz’ Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant.
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