Mercedes admits R-Class was a failure

That the R-Class has not been the most successful vehicle in thehistory of Mercedes-Benz is no big secret, but after staunchlyespousing its virtues for years, the automaker has finally admitted it.And as any recovering addict could tell you, admitting you have aproblem is the first step on the long road to recovery.



Mercedes had pegged production of the crossover at its Vance, Alabama,plant at 50,000 units annually, with half of that staying in the UnitedStates. Last year, however, American dealerships sold only 18,000units. According to Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche, the R-Class "hasdefinitely not lived up to our original plans."

Mercedes is planning a replacement for R-Class, and while it couldretain the same big CUV/wagon set-up, the next R is more likely to takeanother format altogether. Mercedes biggest competitor at BMW,meanwhile, is evidently thinking otherwise with the X6 crossover itjust unveiled yesterday.

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req'd]