Mercedes SLK Roadster Production Sold Out . . . Two Year Wait

07/19/96

Two seat hot rod sports cars such as the upcoming Porsche Boxster and the hot selling BMW-Z3 no doubt prompted Mercedes to create the SLK hard top convertible, which is due to arrive in the U.S. next February. The car is already sold out for about two years to come. The $40,000, 2 liter, supercharged sports car has a retractable steel roof that folds into the trunk in 25 seconds. The car is designed to appeal to new, younger buyers that previously considered Mercedes too expensive or too stodgy. 67% of the orders follow these demographics. Capacity at MBs Bremen factory is 35,000 SLKs in 1997, and the German auto maker is studying ways of increasing it. The powers at MB feel that, just as the station wagon gave way to the minivan, coupes and some sedans will be replaced by sporty models like the SLK.

Bill Maloney -- The Auto Channel