In the US SUV sales typically exceed station wagon sales by a huge margin. MB did their market research. At $5 bucks a gallon someday that might change.
SUV sales exceed station wagon sales because hardly anyone offers station wagons. Main reason has been since CAFE standards came into play station wagons COUNT as part of the CAFE mileage average while SUVs DON'T COUNT in the CAFE averages. It is why all our main SUVs have been on TRUCK frames. Trucks have not counted in CAFE until the latest regs.
America got the Explorer because the Country Squire counted against CAFE averages.
Offering station wagons does not automatically result in higher demand. Currently demand for SUV's is greater than for station wagons and mini vans. Currently the car-based SUV's (not body-on-frame trucks) are experiencing the highest demand (such as CRV, Rav4, Highlander, Murano, Edge, etc.) Maybe higher gas prices could shift the demand.
__________________
S.
2006 ML350 white/ash
2008 C300 Sport mars red/black
2004 986S seal gray metallic/black/black
Toyota makes a nice 4x4 Sienna minivan. But I don't want one.
Station wagons and mini vans in the US have a certain bad stigma. Drivers in the US prefer the combination of high seating position, extra space and utility, truck-like appearance and 4 wheel drive that only an SUV can offer.
But how high will gas prices have to get before they get more practical and choose wagons over SUVs?...
The pics here are a lot better.
I am very encouraged by the dash design which is a throwback
to the traditional style as opposed to the space age oval dominated
designs in the recent SUV's.
The design both inside and outside is pretty conservative. But if this is introduced as a 2009 model it will sell well in the US as gas prices continue to climb. And the 3.5L V6 should be quick in this lighter weight SUV. Maybe I'll buy one in 3 years to replace my ML.
. But I don't want one
. 
Linear Mode
