Two-generation models and 12 years after Mercedes-Benz introduced its compact hardtop roadster into the market in 1996 and the SLK has hit its first significant milestone with the delivery of 500,000th vehicle. The first generation model sold approximately 310,000 units while the current version of the SLK has been delivered to 190,000 customers since its market launch in March 2004.
The SLK’s biggest market is Germany, with over one-third of all sales coming from Merc’s home market. The rest of Western Europe accounts for a further one-third of sales while one in every five SLK customers comes from the U.S. By far, the most popular version is the basic 4-cylinder SLK 200 which is selected by half of all buyers worldwide and by more than two-thirds in Germany. Second up is the SLK 280, which is chosen by over one-quarter of all SLK customers.