Mercedes G-Class achieved record 49,700 sales in 2025, up 23% despite overall Mercedes sales dropping 9% to 1,800,800 vehicles globallyElectric G580 with EQ Technology allegedly "substantially contributed" to record sales despite German executive calling it "complete flop" sitting "like lead at dealers" in JuneMercedes teasing G-Class Cabriolet return and additional variants, with smaller G-Class on separate body-on-frame platform arriving 2027 with combustion and electric options 2025 wasn't exactly kind to Mercedes. Total sales fell nine percent to 1,800,800 vehicles, but there was a silver lining. The G-Class had its best year ever, with demand rising 23 percent to 49,700 units. Never before has the luxury automaker sold so many Geländewagens in a single year since the venerable off-roader debuted in 1979. That's impressive growth for a vehicle that starts well over $100,000 and climbs rapidly from there depending on specification. Mercedes doesn't break down G-Class sales by powertrain, separating combustion-engine versions from the fully electric model. However, somewhat surprisingly, the company says the G580 with EQ Technology "substantially contributed" to the record result and attracted new buyers. That's despite a report from German business newspaper Handelsblatt, which cited a company executive last June describing the EV version as a "complete flop." The same Mercedes higher-up was quoted as saying the car is "sitting like lead at dealers." Someone's narrative doesn't match reality Either the executive was wrong, the sales turnaround happened dramatically in the second half of 2025, or Mercedes is spinning disappointing EV sales into positive narrative for public consumption. The contradiction is stark: you can't simultaneously be a complete flop sitting unsold at dealers and substantially contribute to record sales figures. One of these statements is false, and Mercedes isn't clarifying which. The G-Class customer base apparently doesn't care about contradictions as long as the badge is right and the styling remains boxy. Looking ahead, Mercedes plans to diversify the G-Class lineup. It has already teased the return of the convertible and promises additional new variants, though without offering details. The convertible will likely command significant premium over standard G-Class while selling in extremely limited numbers to ultra-wealthy buyers who want maximum exclusivity. It's worth noting that the smaller G will be a distinct model, so its sales figures will likely be reported separately. It too will use a body-on-frame platform, albeit different from that of its larger sibling. Expect both combustion engines and electric drivetrains when it debuts in 2027. The smaller G represents smart strategy: capitalize on G-Class prestige while offering more accessible pricing that expands the customer base without diluting the flagship model's exclusivity. Whether this generation of the G-Class will spawn more eccentric derivatives, such as another Landaulet or a six-wheel AMG version, remains to be seen. Given Mercedes' ongoing commitment to the V12, a return of twelve cylinders under the hood would be welcome, although tuners like Brabus have already created a spiritual successor to the G65. The market for ultra-luxury G-Class variants seems unlimited as long as Mercedes can dream up new configurations.2025 was also the year Mercedes built its 600,000th G-Class, 46 years after production began. Remarkably, around 80 percent of all G-Classes ever made are still on the road, living up to the "Stronger Than Time" marketing slogan you've likely heard in recent years. That durability figure is genuinely impressive, suggesting the G-Class's agricultural engineering and simple mechanicals contribute to longevity that modern complex vehicles struggle matching. As a reminder, the go-anywhere SUV isn't built by Mercedes itself, but by Magna Steyr at its plant in Graz, Austria. This outsourced production arrangement has continued since the G-Class's origins as a military vehicle, with Magna handling assembly while Mercedes provides engineering, design, and quality control. Mercedes continues to print money with the G-Class, even if its customer base has changed significantly since the early days. Once an all-terrain workhorse for military and agricultural applications, the G is now a status symbol for wealthy buyers who'll likely never engage the differential locks or exploit the off-road capability. Expanding the lineup should help sustain this strong sales momentum, particularly if Mercedes can maintain exclusivity while increasing volume. Mercedes is smart to develop a smaller, more affordable G to capitalize on the prestige earned by the legendary off-roader. Arriving on the heels of record sales for the full-size model, the downsized version comes at an ideal time. As long as gasoline engines remain a priority alongside electric options, the company should have another winner on its hands. The G-Class proves that timeless design, brand prestige, and genuine capability create demand regardless of economic conditions or powertrain technology, even when executives publicly contradict official sales narratives.
