Mercedes-Benz to continue sale of heavy-duty G-Class

Alongside the new Mercedes-Benz G-Class, which was launched in January at the 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, the German automaker will continue to manufacture the previous iteration developed for more heavy-duty use, according to Road & Track.

Known by the 461 code, the more basic, utilitarian G-Class carries on indefinitely whereas the more civilian version, the 463, has since been replaced by the new model.

“The 461 continues, and we offer that in a number of markets, but only markets that will accept Euro 5 or have a professional application where Euro 5 is acceptable,” said Mercedes-Benz marketing executive for the G-Class range, Ian Hadley James to the website.

This long-running version of the G-Class will serve markets where there is demand for government use, armed forces and the like, which mirrors the civilian model in its growing popularity even in its advancing age. “We’ve been fascinated in the last few years. We’ve seen a growth in the 461 sales as well. It’s becoming more unique, there’s no other vehicle like that out there. And yet there’s still very much a need for that sort of vehicle,” he said.

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Configurations on offer for the 461 include a four-door station wagon, chassis-cab and a 6X6, said James, and while the majority of 461 production is geared towards commercial use in regions such as Australia, Germany and the Middle East, a brand-new 461-series G-Class is still available for private purchase in the guise of the “Professional”, a more spartan model compared to the 463 range.

Like prior iterations of the civilian G-Class, the basic 461-series model is built at the Magna-Steyr plant in Graz, Austria, where the recently-launched model range including the Mercedes-AMG G 63 is manufactured. This is an arrangement that will remain indefinitely, unless there is a significant change – read, drop – in demand.

“There’s no plan to stop production,” James told Road & Track. “Quite the opposite — we’re investing in that model as well. We will continue to develop it because the market is there.”

GALLERY: 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

: Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse 2018 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 2018

: Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse 2018 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 2018

: Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse 2018 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 2018

: Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse 2018 Mercedes-Benz G-Class 2018

: Wie in der neuen E- und S-Klasse kommen als Kombiinstrument auf Wunsch ein großes Display mit virtuellen Instrumenten im direkten Blickfeld des Fahrers sowie ein Zentraldisplay über der Mittelkonsole zum Einsatz. As in the new E and S-Class, an alternative instrument panel in the form of a large display screen showing virtual instruments in the driver’s direct field of vision and a central display above the centre console is available as an option.

: Wie in der neuen E- und S-Klasse kommen als Kombiinstrument auf Wunsch ein großes Display mit virtuellen Instrumenten im direkten Blickfeld des Fahrers sowie ein Zentraldisplay über der Mittelkonsole zum Einsatz. As in the new E and S-Class, an alternative instrument panel in the form of a large display screen showing virtual instruments in the driver’s direct field of vision and a central display above the centre console is available as an option.

: Mercedes-Benz G-Klasse 2018, Interieur Mercedes-Benz G-Class 2018, Interior

: Jeden „G“ ziert als Prüfsiegel eine Schöckl-Plakette am Fuß der B-Säule. Every “G” bears a certification mark in the form of a “Schöckl” badge at the base of its B-pillar.