When Mercedes-Benz first presented the X-Class pickup truck concept, it was unclear if the German car manufacturer would bring its midsize pickup to the United States. Now, four months later on, it’s still unclear.
Mercedes is still determining whether it’s a great idea to bring the X-Class to the US. Americans still love full-size pickups, however development in the midsize market has Mercedes seriously thinking about the concept.
“We are seeing advancements very closely, and we will take a decision at the appropriate time,” said Volker Mornhinweg, head of the Mercedes-Benz Vans department, during an interview in Stuttgart, Germany.
If Mercedes were to bring the X-Class to the United States, Mornhinweg believes the truck’s primary plant in Argentina will not be able to fulfill demand, so an US facility would be considered. It likewise bears mentioning that, with the auto industry under threat of a big border tax, building a midsize pickup in the US might be the only way to maintain success.
The US full-size pickup truck market is crazy. Ford sold almost 60,000 examples of the F-150 last month. Midsize pickups like the Chevrolet Colorado and Toyota Tacoma see regular monthly sales between 5,000 and 15,000 units. However, that’s a specific niche that Mercedes-Benz might fill with the X-Class.
Debuting last October, the X-Class concept arrived in two different types. The Stylish Explorer concentrated on the truck as a lifestyle complement, with creature convenience to the fore. The Effective Adventurer concept concentrated on utility, with higher capability and the seek to match. It will be offered mainly in Europe, Latin America, South Africa and Australia– at least to begin with.
