At its launch in 1975, the 450SEL 6.9 cost DM 69,930.
In the last year of production, 1979, the car was available at a price of DM 81,247.
Even though this was far from inexpensive, the courage of the Mercedes-Benz strategists in launching the car onto the market paid off.
A total of 7,380 units were built by 1980, with only 1,816 officially sold in the US.
This volume figure looks rather small at first glance, but production figures tend to be significantly smaller in the top luxury segment where this model competes.
Also, the 6.9 was not the only S-Class model, and was purchased by the rich, the famous, and the powerful despite the rising cost of gasoline brought on by the Arab oil embargo.
Thus, the 7,380 total sales volume is quite respectable once the price and contemporary economic climate are taken into account.
At its launch in 1975, the 450SEL 6.9 cost DM 69,930. In the last year of production, 1979, the car was available at a price of DM 81,247. Even though this was far from inexpensive, the courage of the Mercedes-Benz strategists in launching the car onto the market paid off. A total of 7,380 units were built by 1980, with only 1,816 officially sold in the US. This volume figure looks rather small at first glance, but production figures tend to be significantly smaller in the top luxury segment where this model competes. Also, the 6.9 was not the only S-Class model, and was purchased by the rich, the famous, and the powerful despite the rising cost of gasoline brought on by the Arab oil embargo. Thus, the 7,380 total sales volume is quite respectable once the price and contemporary economic climate are taken into account.
Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9