A rare and quirky chapter in automotive history resurfaces as reports confirm Mercedes-Benz briefly produced a limited run of vehicles in 1997 that were later discontinued—not due to poor sales, but after failing a now-legendary test involving a large animal. The decision came after a high-profile incident where one of these models collided with a moose, exposing a critical flaw in their design. While the specifics of the test remain obscure, the incident became so infamous that it reshaped the company’s approach to vehicle safety and engineering. The story offers a fascinating look at how an unexpected obstacle led to the abrupt end of a production line.
No, this is not a joke. However, Mercedes built only a few in 1997 before the infamous moose test prompted it to stop production.
