The Mercedes S-Class' sales in Europe has fallen victim to the on-going economic crisis in the continent. Its sales have fallen by 27% over the past eight months to just 5,227 units. In addition, the age of the model does not help either.

As a result, the factory that produces the S-Class in Sindelfingen, Germany, will cut down to one shift from the current two shifts until the next generation model enters production in 2013. "Workers manufacturing the S class will be reassigned to the C-class assembly line during this period," the company said in a statement.

The W221 S-Class was introduced in the autumn of 2005 at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, with export to other markets beginning in 2006. Since then, BMW and Audi have both introduced all-new versions of their flagship sedan, the 7-Series and the A8 respectively. The S-Class contributes the highest profit margin per car sold for the Stuttgart automaker and hence the pressure is on the 2013 model to continue to do so.

The new Mercedes S-Class is expected to be unveiled in production form at the 2013 Detroit motor show in January, before it goes on sale next spring. The new luxury saloon was recently previewed by a new sculpture called Aesthetic S at the 2012 Paris motor show.

Aesthetic S