Mercedes-Benz to nix R-Class from U.S. lineup despite being built in Alabama

After years of lackluster sales, Mercedes-Benz is finally pulling the plug on the company's R-Class, at least as far as sales in the United States go. The vehicle will continue to be manufactured at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and exported to markets around the globe.

According to Yahoo! Autos, the company has sold just 300 R-Class units nationwide through March of this year despite the fact that the German automaker is having no trouble moving any of its larger SUV models. With R-Class sales bumbling along, Mercedes-Benz says it simply can't maintain a business case for selling the overgrown wagon in the States.

As of right now, the company will continue to produce the R-Class through 2015 for sale in Mexico, Canada and China. After that date, Mercedes-Benz will likely replace the vehicle with a new creation based on the bones of the current M-Class.