Posted on 03/27/2015 12:59:23 PM PDT by nascarnation
The pickup is about to get a rethink from Germany. In a rather surprising announcement, Mercedes-Benz says that it's planning to have a midsize truck on the market before the end of the decade.
Before you get too excited to drive a pickup with the brand's famous star on the grille, there's some disappointing news. Mercedes is quite clear that the US isn't among the intended markets for the midsize truck, and the company specifically outlines the model for Latin America, South Africa, Australia and Europe.
Also, this is a product being developed by the more commercially-minded Mercedes-Benz Vans division responsible for the Sprinter and upcoming Metris. With that in mind, don't expect the interior of an S-Class with a bed in the rear. In fact, at the moment Mercedes isn't giving away many details about its truck, although the company suggests a payload capacity of around 2205 pounds.
Inciting this development is the current boom in the midsize truck segment. We're seeing that happen with models like the latest Ford Ranger, the next Toyota Hilux (in development) and a future FCA vehicle. "As part of our 'Mercedes-Benz Vans goes global' strategy, the pickup is the ideal vehicle for the international expansion of our product range with a newly developed model," division boss Volker Mornhinweg said in the brand's announcement.
Rumblings of a possible Mercedes pickup came up years ago as a possible partnership with Nissan, but those reportedly would have been badge-engineered models. This latest truck appears to be something wholly Mercedes. "We will enter this segment with our distinctive brand identity and all of the vehicle attributes that are typical of the brand with regard to safety, comfort, powertrains and value," said company boss Dieter Zetsche.
(Excerpt) Read more at autoblog.com ...
Finally getting with the program,eh, Hans?
Have you driven any of the smaller, cheaper, Mercedes? I have, and IMO they are cannibalizing their brand..people who spend $100K for a car don’t want to see the 3 pointed star on a commuter car..
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Mercedes-Benz launching midsize pickup by end of decade”
It is official. M-B Not only Jumped the shark but went straight to they have lost their last Schnitzengruben.
Welcome to the party pal !!!
My SIL’s brother has one and he’s sort of a half @ss salesman type.
So yes, somebody in Stuttgart has gone for volume over prestige.
Not sure how that works long term.
Hey HANS!...BOOBY!....I’m your white knight... I have great idea for you. When you enter the US market (and we know you will) be sure to sell some sort of “Texan” edition aimed at the hottest state for pickup sales mmmkay. I know you can do it. Yes you can!
Honda’s new Ridgeline will be out - as a 2017 model - in about a year.
It will be far superior the Mercedes in snow and cost thousands less in maintenance.
Having grown up with lots of European metal in our garage I would not have a Mercedes at this time.
Customer satisfaction is high, but quality is very low.
“..people who spend $100K for a car don’t want to see the 3 pointed star on a commuter car..”
Who cares? Its a little bizarre to think your car company should only make luxury cars. They make compacts, SUVs, delivery trucks, panel vans, etc.
If they didn’t, they’d just be another commercially irrelevant manufacturer like Bentley, or Ferrari.
As far as I know, the 25% tax on imported pickup trucks is still in effect. Hard to be price competitive unless they’re built in USA.
You may be right, but volume on the Ridgeline is so low I’m surprised they have even kept it alive. Their yearly sales is what Ford sells in a week. The Ridgeline and Nissan Titan sell about a 1000 units a month. Ford and GM sell about 50,000 pickups a month.
I suspect Mercedes can do Ridgeline/Titan numbers, not sure it’s profitable at that volume.
Old school, nice!
Looks like somebody did a nice restoration on it.
Nissan is coming out with a 5L diesel cummins. Now we’re talking!
I hope they put a decent sized rear axle in it. That was one of the big shortcomings of the Titanic when it came out.
The Ridgeline is an oddity for sure.
It’s built upon the same assembly line as the Honda Odyssey and Pilot.
When the supply needs for the Odyssey and Pilot have been met, then Ridgelines are built and the line keeps working...
It’s a terrific vehicle that, thank God, Ito did not destroy prior to his being fired.
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