"There will be no model year 2013 R-Class in the U.S.," the company said in a statement, adding that the large crossover will continue to be assembled in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and shipped to other markets around the world.
Spokesman Christian Bokich, in a phone interview said China remains the most popular market for the R-Class. He said Mercedes will continue to sell the vehicle in Canada and Mexico after it is discontinued in the U.S.
"The customer trend in the U.S. has been toward GLs and MLs and GLKs," Bokich said. "The business case (for the R-Class) is no longer there in the U.S."
Bokich said the company continues to upgrade the Tuscaloosa plant, which is undergoing a $2.4-billion expansion in preparation for production of the redesigned 2013 GL and the next-generation C-Class.
