28 August 2002: DaimlerChrysler says it sees 'great potential' in Europe for the Mercedes-Benz GST, which the company announced yesterday will become a reality by the end of 2004.

The GST is a concept unveiled at this year's Detroit Motor Show and is a 6-seater wagon-type vehicle using three rows of seats.

GST stands for grand sport tourer and D-C say it is a crossover between a touring car, wagon and SUV.

The car will be produced at the same plant in the US where the M-Class SUV is built, at Tuscaloosa, Alabama. A $600m expansion of the plant is envisaged to facilitate the new vehicle's production.

The concept is primarily geared to the needs of the North American market, according to M-B marketing boss Joachim Schmidt, but he says the 'high functionality and flexibility' of the GST suggests it has great potential for sales in Europe.