At a time when many coachbuilders are struggling and/or leaving the industry, it’s nice to hear news of fresh long-term contracts. Magna Steyr has just announced that it has had its contract with Mercedes-Benz extended to continue building the G-Class (a.k.a. Geländewagen) until at least the end of 2015.

Around 200,000 examples of the rugged, boxy SUV have been built thus far by the Austrian manufacturer at its Graz facility over the last 30 years. The contract builder currently builds five door (like we have in the U.S.), three-door and convertible bodystyles, along with special editions and bespoke commissioned models like the 1,200 Australian army units it churned out last year.