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 ...
In Germany, Mercedes competes head-to-head with Ford across the spectrum from econoboxes to delivery vans to high end cars.
A bit snobby, are we? Better get a Rolls. Oh, wait, that’s a “cannibalized” version of a Bentley.
Doubtful. If this truck isn't intended for US markets, that means it won't be designed to meet US safety and emissions standards. They'd basically have to build two separate trucks; one for the US and one for the rest of the world.
Well Baby, they’re not from Havana.
Time will tell.
One thing I know for certain, I won’t be able to afford one!
If Mercedes-Benz is smart (pun not intended here!), they should seriously look at collaborating with Nissan (Nissan-Renault and M-B have been collaborating on a number of projects lately) on building an even smaller pickup about the size of the old Japanese pickups from the 1970’s and 1980’s, but powered by Mercedes-Benz’s own 2.1-liter 201 bhp turbodiesel engine and eight-speed automatic. That small pickup would be a surprising hot seller not only in the USA, but in many countries around the world.
Dude... put your M-B Woody away... Your keyboard is starting to stick....
I’m educating you ...
Oh come on, it has been like that forever in Europe. Plenty of downmarket MBs around, they are ubiquitous as cabs. It’s only in the U.S. that we only get the upmarket trim packages.
I am a produt of the US pubic educational system. I am unedjumacatable! ;)
You are correct..but in the long run, here in the US..it will cheapen the brand...look...NO car is worth $100k...or $200K..it’s status...people who have the $$ want to flaunt it..that’s why Toyota, Nissan,a ad Honda..all created separate brands...Lexus, Infiniti, and Acura..even though 95% of the cars are the same...it’s a separate, upscale dealership..it’s called MARKETING..
Benz make Truckz, yo!
My daughter was thinking about a CLA so I looked at one while my 350 GLK was in for a wash. I told her no. They’re cheap cheap.
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