The United States Won't Pickup Mercedes' X-Class in 2017

Mercedes-Benz has decided against bringing its X-Class pickup to the U.S. market next year. However, this doesn’t mean we won’t eventually see the luxury truck hauling grand pianos and crystal chandeliers down American highways.

Daimler unveiled concepts for the new pickup in October with expectations for it to receive a global launch in early 2017. Automotive News reports that “global” includes Europe, Australia, South Africa, and Latin America — but not North America.

“Once the next version of the truck comes out — when we see the next iteration — there might be an opportunity to bring it in the medium and the long-term,” Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Dietmar Exler said at the 2016 Los Angeles auto show.

Exler could not give a distinctive time frame but did say the company will be keeping tabs on how the pickup does in other markets before making any final decisions.

“That’s exactly what we’re taking a look at,” Exler said. “We want to bring it when we believe it makes sense as Mercedes to bring out the pickup truck.”

With light trucks being immensely popular in the United States the company has said it will continue considering whether the X-Class will make it to the North American market.

“It’s the biggest segment we’re not in,” he said. “It’s overall an attractive, huge segment, but we need to make sure it’s the right time for Mercedes.”

[Image: Mercedes-Benz]