The enduring legacy of Mercedes 240D in rural Morocco captured in photos
The Mercedes 240D, introduced in the 1970s with hundreds of thousands sold by the mid-80s, found new life in Morocco after being shipped there en masse when deemed obsolete for European markets. Today, these vintage vehicles serve as vital public transport across rural Morocco, particularly on mountainous roads, and as the country's signature «grands taxis».
According to WePresent, photographer Myriam Meloni documented this phenomenon in her project «One Million Km», exploring how the 240D became central to rural Moroccan life. During her five-year stay in Morocco, Meloni observed the car's ubiquity and its role following the devastating 6.8 magnitude Al-Hawz earthquake in 2023, which killed approximately 3,000 people.
While the 240D is disappearing from major cities like Tangiers due to state subsidies for newer vehicles, it remains essential in countryside areas with limited public transportation. Local mechanics maintain a sustainable circular economy around these cars, finding DIY solutions to extend their lifespan.
The sturdy vehicles transport families with shopping, construction workers with materials, and navigate poorly maintained rural roads inaccessible to modern cars. For many Moroccans, especially younger drivers, these Mercedes represent points of pride—durable vehicles that once belonged to a higher social class.
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