The Mercedes-Benz R-Class hasn’t exactly been an overwhelming success for the brand. Based on the S-Class, the R-Class is huge, heavy and generally likened to an excessively expensive mini-van.
As a result, Mercedes is going to stop selling them in America where they only sold 300 R-Classes last year. It’s clear Americans haven’t exactly warmed up to the idea of owning a barge. With all that said, Americans will still benefit from the R-Class because it will still continue to be built in America and exported to other markets, just not sold there. That means continued jobs.
The R-Class does not have the same fate here north of the border, however. You can still buy a brand spanking new R-Class at your local dealer, which means American R-Class fans won’t necessarily miss out. A cross-border road trip to either the north or the south (Yes, the R-Class can be had in Mexico too) is all it will take.
This undoubtedly means good deals to be had on remaining R-Classes in the States, so get one while you can. I recommend the R350 Bluetech. Lots of room, lots of torque, lots of efficiency.
In its current form the R-Class will continue on until 2015 when a replacement largely based on the M-Class is expected to take the reigns.
