Mercedes Bringing G-Wagen to US!!!

[Bill Wood]

There are 2 interesting articles in this week's Autoweek...

1) Mercedes-Benz board member and passenger car chief Jurgen Hubbert said the company's U.S. dealers will begin selling its Gelaendewagen sport/utility vehicle before the end of the year.

Gelaendewagens have been sold here through a New Mexico-based aftermarket firm called G WagenUSA. Hubbert said Mercedes will buy out the firm and begin importing the vehicles itself."

2) Rumor has it that AMG is working on a HOT version of Chrysler's PT Cruiser. It is fitted with the same engine from BMW's Mini Cooper S which is 155HP, supercharged, 1.6-liter 4 cyl. Why BMW? Turns out that Mercedes and BMW have a joint venture company called Tri-Tec in Brazil that builds the engine.

Officials at DaimlerChrysler deny the AMG - PT Cruiser exists or is planned.