Who says Australians don’t have a perfect taste in cars?
Icon Mercedes-Benz G-Class – an extremely expensive nameplate, four decades old, in the latest model that combines a boxy exterior with the latest interior – set a sales record in Australia in June.
Last month, Mercedes-Benz delivered 161 G-Wagens to Australian customers, the most ever, indicating a large influx of customers.
By my calculations, that’s about 10% of the total lifetime sales of this generation G-Class, which has found around 1600 owners since 2018.
Current iteration of long service Mercedes G-Class hit Australia in the guise of the G63 frenzy at the end of 2018, with the G400d diesel option arriving in 2021 and reviewed here.
While the “G” doesn’t really have much of an edge over its competitors, it has completely dominated the “large SUV over $100,000” market segment, with a 34% market share. Next is BMW X7 (85 sales) and Audi Q8 (78).
Demand has always outstripped supply, with waiting lists being a factor since day one. One reason is its sheer uniqueness, but another is the fact that it is carefully produced under contract by Magna in Austria in rather low quantities to begin with.
Do you like your own G-Wagen? You better be prepared to wait, in some cases Upcoming updates scout here. Here’s what the Mercedes-Benz Australia website says:
“Due to high demand, the G-Class is currently out of stock. Please click ‘Always Up to date’ to fill out the form and be notified when new stock arrives to guarantee for yourself, one of the best G-Class. “
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Mercedes-Benz Concept EQG
Alternatively, you can pass the odds for a low mileage. The Mercedes-AMG G63 has an indicated driving price of $349,000, but there are some for sale privately for $400,000 to $600,000.
As for the future of the G, expect electrification to come soon. Mercedes-Benz revealed “Near production” Concept EQG last Septemberwith an evolved look and promise of off-road capability enough to rival its legendary predecessors.
