Posted by John K. Seidts on January 23, 1998 at 22:29:16:
In Reply to: power Wagon vs. Unimog posted by Pete Vernon on January 23, 1998 at 20:49:37:
Unimog vs M37.
-we don't make the M37 any more, and the Unimog is still in production
-the Germans got rid of all of their M37's, and still have their Unimogs. We got rid of almost all of our M37's, and now are buying Unimogs (the SEE of engineer units)
-the new family of trucks replacing all the 2.5 tons and smaller sure do look like Unimogs
This is not a bash of the M-37, which is what I cut my military vehicle teeth on, but as far as absolute use goes, it seems that the Unimog has outlasted its rival. In several countries I have worked with, I saw M-37 parked dead, and Unimogs working hard in the same area. In all fairness to Dodge, I think that Mercedes has a much better marketing strategy on parts and support. When the M37 was in its heyday, the prime purchaser was the US government, and Dodge was pushing its Power Wagon line in other countries. So there was no real impetus to go for a world market.
I think that with the proper upgrades, the M37 could compete with Unimog on the world market, but there are so many cheap M880 variants out there, as well as the former Soviet Union equipment out, that the point is moot. Unfortunately, the M37 is a technology of the past (albeit still a reliable one).