That’s how many Mercedes-Benz G-Classes have already been built!

G-Class in production since 1979

The milestone confirms the enduring popularity of the model, which has been produced continuously since 1979. Mercedes-Benz originally developed the G-Class as an off-road vehicle with an emphatic focus on functionality and ruggedness. Since then, the model has become a globally recognizable design icon with a loyal fan base.

Customization in millions of combinations

Since 2019, the Manufaktutr program has played a major role in the personalization of the G-Class. More than 90 percent of customers choose at least one Manufaktur option, even three on average. This program allows customers to choose from more than one million configurations, including historic paint colors and exclusive shades. In 2024, the range was further expanded to 20,000 available colors.

Special editions have been part of the model story for decades. A recent example is the Stronger than the 1980s Edition, a tribute to the original W 460 generation from the 1980s. Mercedes-Benz announces it will continue this tradition in the future as well.

History of the G-Class

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class was presented in 1979 as an off-road vehicle with military roots, developed in cooperation with Steyr-Daimler-Puch. The model was initially offered with four engine variants and available as a convertible or “station wagon,” both short- and long-wheelbase. From the beginning, the G-Class featured all-wheel drive, limited slip differentials and a ladder chassis: features that have been retained to this day.

Over the years, the G-Class transformed from a functional commercial vehicle to a luxury vehicle with broad appeal. Although the technology and comfort levels have been modernized, the exterior has remained largely true to the original design. Elements such as the round headlights, the external spare wheel and the angular body shape ensure that the current model is still instantly recognizable as a descendant of the original.

Alongside the S-Class and E-Class, the G-Class is among Mercedes-Benz’s longest-produced models. With the introduction of the electric G 580, a new chapter was added to a model history that now spans almost five decades.