Colorado. Canyon. Tacoma. Frontier. Ridgeline. X-Class?
That could be the lineup Mercedes-Benz has in mind for the competitive — and growing — U.S. midsize pickup segment. Ever since the automaker unveiled its questionable-looking X-Class midsize pickup last fall and declared America off limits for now, there’s been no end to the speculation that we’d eventually end up with a German offering on these shores.
The midsize pickup segment has now grown to 17 percent of all U.S. truck sales, and Mercedes apparently likes what it sees.
Mercedes’ X-Class, which goes on sale in South America and Europe later this year, borrows the Nissan Navara’s ladder-type frame and adds a heavy dose of luxury. However, with the market so hot in America right now, the automaker is wondering if that country’s worksites could use some panache.
“In the past year the mid-sized truck market has come back a bit,” Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, told Reuters today. “General Motors is launching a mid-sized truck. We are watching developments very closely, and we will take a decision at the appropriate time.”
Apparently, Mornhinweg didn’t get the message that GM has sold the Colorado and Canyon since the 2015 model year. It’s more likely that he misspoke, and was actually referring to Ford’s upcoming Ranger, due out in 2019.
Bringing the X-Class stateside would give Mercedes the only luxury offering in the segment. While success isn’t a guarantee, the automaker has aggressively countered the notion that the X-Class is merely a tarted-up Navara with no working man bona fides. During last year’s concept unveiling, CEO Dieter Zetsche claimed he once consulted with a “tough old ranger” to find out what Americans can stomach when it comes to pickup truck luxury.
As such, the X-Class is built to haul. The automaker claims a 1.1-ton payload — topping the GM twins — and a towing capacity of up to 3.5 tons.
Now, where will the pickup come from should Mercedes give the go signal?
It would have to come from within its own borders, said Mornhinweg. Mercedes-Benz’s Argentina assembly plant wouldn’t be able to handle the extra volume, and there’s that dreaded “chicken tax,” meaning a new plant would probably have to be built in the U.S.
Now, let’s hope Mercedes’ new pickup doesn’t snap in half.
[Image: Daimler AG]
hell Mercedes sells what are essentially lifted station wagons with big wheels, excluding G-wagon, so why not?
But for that schnoz…yikes!
A bullbar can fix that.
If anyone can make a fully loaded diesel Colorado seem like a bargain, Mercedes can (with a little help from Nissan and some automotive lipstick).
Well if it requires a new plant, not sure it’s worth it. But previous Mercedes image cares seem to have gone away with the ever-lower pandering to cheaper models. I don’t see where a truck would be out of line here these days.
Why a new plant? It’d be to the Frontier, as the Sierra is to the Silverado.
“It would have to come from within its own borders, said Mornhinweg. Mercedes-Benz’s Argentina assembly plant wouldn’t be able to handle the extra volume, and there’s that dreaded “chicken tax,” meaning a new plant would probably have to be built in the U.S.”
Mornhinweg seems ill informed. If the Frontier plant couldn’t handle the extra volume, there’s also Complete Knockdown kits. The point is, the Frontier is already federalized and a “badge-job” plus some unique sheet-metal would be the most equitable route.
Of course we’re talking the “next gen” Frontiers, same as current Navaras.
Corey,
From what I’ve read there are significant differences between the Navara and the X Class.
I also read the next Frontier is based on the narrow body Navara.
Yeah, if there are that many differences, I can see why a new plant could be in the cards.
US volume wouldn’t allow for a dedicated plant, no matter the “differences”.
@Corey Lewis
Probably why you will have the old Frontier for quite a while
DumverMike,
Why do you require a dedicated plant for the US X Class?
Why not just import them from another plant that has excess capacity?
It’d be a (next generation) Frontier “re-badge”, already federalized and built at the Frontier plant, assembly line.
There’s zero need to complicate it by importing it from another market, or build it at a dedicated X-class plant in the US.
The comments from the Mercedes rep must have been “off the top of his head” (or out of his A$$).
Please no NIssan DNA is any Merc. That surely would mark the beginning of the end.
Merc should never do that. Ever.
@thornmark
Only a starting point for a company that has not built Pickups before. Applies equally to Renault and their Alaskan, it also uses the Navara dimensions and some of the suspension.
The “end” started years ago.
I agree with you 100%. A relabled Nissan is not a Mercedes. They used to be the world standard of quality and superior engineering. Those days are long gone.
DeMk
What’s Federalized? This term I yet encountered? Explain ALL involved in Feferalizing.
Explain why the US can’t import an X Class from Germany. Explain what barriers are in place.
USA (Federal/federalized) safety and emissions standards are only “barriers” when other markets decide to differ to their own, specific, usually weaker standards.
That’s mostly to protect their local/home automakers, along with high tariffs, like Europe’s 10% duty on all import autos, vs the US’ 2.5%.
The US has pioneered and crusaded for the toughest auto standards the world has even known. Most markets are in the Dark Ages or slowly catching up.
Europe never required catalytic converted before 1992. They still don’t require (passive) safety airbags.
On rare occasions, other markets have exceeded US standards (never on emissions), but mostly regarding pedestrian safety and amber turn signals/lighting.
“Please no NIssan DNA is any Merc…”
Yeah god forbid they ever become reliable.
Don’t see how it is any worse than “Renault DNA” (i.e. – the MB Citan being a rebadged Renault Kangoo).
Is it me, or does that truck look like an angry character from a Cars movie?
@Lou_BC
Yet to see photos of the concept they have here
Isn’t the US the largest pick up truck market in the world? Assuming that is correct, it seems insane that MB wouldn’t sell it here.
The Chicken Tax reduces the US market to a few pickup offerings.
Sad protectionist socialism.
@BAFO – Cheer up! The “few pickup offerings” we have, still makes the US the greatest place on the planet for choices in pickup classes, engines, brands, etc.
We really don’t need much more.
You do have impressive choices in “midsize pickups” in OZ, but there’s many pickup (Ute) “choices” no one really wants.
So we’re really only “protected” from the most dangerous, gross polluting, throwaway pickups the world has to offer, and may like to dump here.
Um, DumbverMike, I do believe I can buy any US piickup ever made in Australia. You are aware of this, so why the blatant trolling.
Face it, the US is a closed market offering only pickups made in NAFTA.
OK BAFO, what are we REALLY *missing*, that isn’t redundant to what’s already here, or Chinese or Indian gross polluting, death traps?
The US market isn’t *perfect*, but name a meaningful market, with a more complete set of pickup truck “choices”..
OZ isn’t meaningful (except to Ozzies), except you’ll pay at least $140,000 for a mid-trim US fullsize 1/2 ton (4X4 crew) pickup, costing a mere $30,000 average, in the US, after rebates.
Sorry but that’s not what anyone would call “complete”, even if you’re a “Cashed-up Bogan”.
Al while you can buy them, the cost of conversion to RHD makes them really expensive or imported in really low numbers via grey market with no manufacturer support. The small size of your market relative to the LHD world means it isn’t economically advantageous to reengineer our full sized trucks since they are already profitable. If you would adopt the standards that the vast majority of the world has, you’d get the trucks at competitive prices. As it is the juice isn’t worth the squeeze and you guys get the leftovers.
Again, the US Auto industry alone is 1/3 the entire output of your country’s economy. Your market just isn’t relevant enough to reengineer these vehicles for.
Little troll, you can experience the pleasures, of the new breed of European HDT and MDT trucks if a certain tax is dropped, by the way we used to build the F150, F250, F350
Yeah Robert Ryan, you used to build a lot of vehicles there. Now, not so much. And I am exposed to those trucks regularly in my work travels. Compared to any of our fulssizers they are relatively agricultural.
if your market was globally significant you’d get the trucks. Period. We don’t need your little $#!tboxes here.
Little Troll, US Automotive scene , very important to NA but is not that Globally important, that is why Mercedes did not bother to produce or sell them there.
They stopped buildingF150, F250, F350 here as demand dived.
@ RobertRyan, the US automotive market isn’t globally significant? Wow, ok. I got nothing.
Li’l Al,
I realise conversion costs.
So, how many 2017 Hiluxes, BT50s, Izuzu Dmaxes, Tritons, 79 Series can you import into tje US to drive on US roads?
Zero, to be precise. And don’t give your usual trolling response no one wants one. Because I bet there are those who would of paid USD $70 000 for a supercharged 6.2 Commodore ute.
So irrespective of costs, the US blocks vehicles from entering the country. Not because they are inferior as the Mustang’s massive fail has shown.
Then add the chicken tax and I do believe the US consumer has less freedom than we do. Or the Europeans.
It’s not about the quantity sold but the fact the US has a closed vehicle market.
@BAFO – Yes we can’t get the Mitsubishi Triton. Oh the humanity.
Not only is the Triton redundant to the midsize pickups we have here, its rear axle is so far under the rear seats, it looks funny. And it’s dangerous to put any kind of load in the bed that way.
I wouldn’t call it a real “choice”, but what else ya got?
The badge-engineered Mazda BT50 (Ford Ranger) probably wouldn’t happen anyway. Nor necessary, what with the Ranger is coming next year. But is Ford/Mazda still a “thing”?
An Isuzu pickup would be a (US spec) badge-engineered Colorado/Canyon, but wouldn’t that be too many *brands* for just one chassis? Isuzu has left the US (screaming Bloody Murder!) anyway.
The 70-series is a 1983 debut/design, better left for Africa, Australia and the 3rd world. No. But thanks.
Then there’s Chinese and Indian pickups… Yeah right.
What else you got? A *supercharged V8* dream “El Camino” update? Where were they in 1985?? The most ours got was a wheezy 305 CID V8 boat anchor.
Or are you talking “Grey Market” imports? You should realize we once had a thriving grey market. It was 99% high end, luxury/sports cars from Europe and Japan (that didn’t/couldn’t meet US safety/emissions).
Whatever compact, global pickups we were “missing” at the time, no one bothered (grey) importing them.
Why would it be different now??
@brawnychicken333
No, the Global Pickup market will be roughly 2.8 million in 2020 according to Daimler Benz. Hyundai is in the process
Of producing a ” Hillux” killer in the next two years.
Boutique Mini Pickup proposed by a US Hyundai executive is not going ahead
LMAO
Hyundai is teasing a fwd unibody crossover truck and suddenly its a “HiLux killer”. This is as good as saying VW is in a bed of roses because they’re still selling, never mind executives going to jail and more lies revealed everyday. Its all blue sky’s and lollipops.
(BTW, it kinda helps to quote the whole phrase, as in “HiLux Killer”, not just half of it. But I guess you and your alter ego are used to [email protected]$$ crap, like the figures you pull out of your “down unda” crack to prove your unprovable points.)
Lil Troll or very uniformed Lill Troll, nothing to do with that concept at all your a total ignoramus.
After all the years of your trolling, maybe you would have tried to learn something about the Automotive industry, instead of playing with a keyboard
Hey mods, is this sort of asshattary allowed?
“very uniformed Lill Troll”
How does he know you’re wearing a uniform?
Nice oldman…I missed that. That may be the only thing he is right about as I am on a scout camp out this weekend.
Lil Troll, talking to yourself LOL. Would be nice if you could actually contribute to the discussion
Jesus Christ, give it a rest already. I thought we had moderators for crap like this.
not much to do in Australia, evidently.
Why don’t you park one of these little trucks up your A$$ and take it for a spin you little $hi+.
Cool it down – don’t engage him.
Robert-
There is no need to continually call or commentors “Lil Troll”. It adds nothing of value.
He adds nothing of value in any post. Feel free to delete my outburst. Sorry for feeding the SOB.
Sadly it’s too late for the X-Men First Class tie in, a la the Rogue One Rogue. But it’s not too late for a Predator tie-in!
Why MB just why, you are tossing your well deserved classy image away one poor CLA at a time, once it is tarnished it is very hard to get back ask Caddy about that.
@seth1065
Little idea that Mercedes Benz is the largest Truckmaker in the world. Luxury Cars are a subset of the whole organisation.
To the US market, Mercedes is strictly a prestige “luxury” brand, with some obscure commercial trucks wearing the emblem. In Europe and other places, Mercedes Benz is known for many things, including taxis, police cars, and cheap econ cars.
That was clear after the Chryco-Benz merger. The very next year, the German Soccer Team was no longer “mercedes benz”, and certainly wasn’t “Damiler Chrysler”, instead all the uniforms read “mercedes Benz Trucks (in small letters, trucks).
That was when I knew the Germans weren’t serious.
@speedlaw
Correct. Mercedes was taking over Chysler, not a hilarious ” merger”.
VW , or more correctly Scania/MAN are ” increasing their involvement ” with Navistar.
On VW’s website,they are already listing Navistar as one of their brands.
Must be a German thing.
So International Harvester is now even more international.
Awesome. Naviatar’s highly praised products like the 6.0L and 6.4L TurboDiesel V-8s can go hand in hand with Mercedes that is built to last, last and LAST…until the lease is up.
Little Troll,
Glad you think they are going to use Navistar diesels ,they. do not
“On VW’s website,they are already listing Navistar as one of their brands.”
Where?
http://www.volkswagenag.com/en/brands-and-models.html
I only see VW, VW commercial, Audi, SEAT, Skoda, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati, Scania, and MAN. AFAIK the only current “involvement” is one engine Navistar offers (the N13) which is largely a MAN design. everything below that is a descendent of the DT466 or bought from Cummins.
You know BMW and Mercedes don’t think image matters anymore when you have 320is, CLA250s, and GLA250s running all over the major cities as carshare vehicles (ReachNow for BMW, Car2Go for Mercedes).
@dal20402
Typical NA view that Mercedes only makes luxury cars, in the US Mercedes owns Freightliner and Western Star heavy duty trucks. So a luxury or not so luxury Pickup is nothing.
Outside NA they also make luxury Vans
“in the US Mercedes owns Freightliner and Western Star heavy duty trucks.”
And Darden Restaruants owns Capital Grille and Olive Garden. They’re different brands, not the same one.
@Corey Lewis
Of course they are different brands, all owned by Mercedes
You said, “Typical NA view that Mercedes only makes luxury cars”
Mercedes DOES only make luxury cars in NA. They use other brands (which are not Mercedes) to make other vehicles (which are not Mercedes).
@Corey Lewis
Outside NA, they are Mercedes Trucks, in NA, they make Mercedes Vans
Even in NA they make more than Luxury cars
Wow BAFORR, repeating things over and over really works!!
Great job buddy!
Little Troll, take some more drugs, your comments will become even funnier
On home turf, Mercedes-Benz offers a full lineup of plain commercial vehicles, from a tiny Renault-based microvan all the way up to full-sized commercial long-distance trucks and tractors. A pick-up would fit in quite well, and not endanger their image at all.
You Americans are not as used to seeing the three-pointed star on commercial vehicles, but you did get the Sprinter van with Mercedes branding in the past, did you not? Also, you do know the Unimog I take it.
Mercedes-Benz is not a luxury make. At least, not exclusively. And it never was.
Well, yes. To look at the mirror the other direction, imagine if GM had cachet in Europe. There, they sell the Cadillac line (don’t snort your single malt out your nose, DW-its a waste of good scotch). They sell a few top line Buicks, the Corvette and that’s it. Euros line up and toss stupid money at them for this. They don’t get the Cavalier…never see a GM cop car…or work truck. Having ridden in enough e class taxis, and having spent enough time in other markets, I always love the marketing.
Snob appeal is why we don’t get the five door 1 class, even though I’d sign up tomorrow if it appeared.
@speedlaw,
Cadillac sales can be counted on one hand in Europe. Cadillac is less successful in Europe than even in the US,hard to imagine.
” Euros lining up and toss stupid money” Must be an awfully short queue,
” Euros” do line up for every overpriced Supercar, that some boutique outfit has produced.
@Robt Ryan…this was a hypothetical. Imagine if…
on my last trip over there….between parking, driving and overall expectation as to what car fits in what tiny parking space, my CTS would be a parade float. I couldn’t have put it into the spaces, passed other vehicles stacked up on a roadway, or made the turns into and out of my hotels….
I know Caddy is a no-sale over there for a lot of reasons…but
@Ermel
If they did see the real MB, they would have a very different impression.
The Mercedes branding for the Sprinter is relatively new for the US. If started as a Freightshaker then they added it to the Dodge and then Ram brand before moving them to the Mercedes store when they were finally able to unload Chrysler.
@Scoutdude
I guess they did not know how to push it, a Commercial Vehicle or now a basis for a Class C Motorhome, now it is a Mercedes Sprinter
“US Mercedes owns Freightliner and Western Star heavy duty trucks.” we know, because they almost got run into the ground same as Chrysler.
Holy hell.
You know, if you approached Mercedes in 1994, when they were making this as a utility vehicle:
http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/Ee4AAOSw2XFUgxns/s-l640.jpg
And said “Hey, you know that Eddie Bauer F-150? How about you do something like that?”
They’d have laughed you out of the room.
@Corey Lewis
They actually thought of doing a US F150 vehicle, but decided.not to do it, Local loyalty and the very profitable and growing Global ” 1 tonne” market killed the idea.
In Australia it is reported many are already putting deposits on the X Class.
The interest is that great MB has an X Class in Australia.
It apparently only uses the Navara chassis. It has MB suspension, longer control arms and a wider wheelbase.
Best of all the 3 litre V6 will have 261hp and 460ftlb of torque and an 8spd auto. I would like to see what the AMG version will have.
@Big Al from Oz
They are driving one of the X-Class’s concepts as a PR exercise, around Australia. Many have pre booked the vehicle
Anyone laughing at this idea has no concept of how many Mercedes X-Classes would be sold.
@Flybrain,
About the number of F150’s in Germany…Zero. This meets non NA market preferences
@RobertRyan – You must be nuts. Germany is the F-150s biggest market, outside of the Americas.
If this pickup takes off for Mercedes (within reason), look for an Infiniti re-badge of the Frontier.
I’m pretty sure China will be the biggest F150 market outside of NA this year. They are shipping a ton of Raptors there.
China! Raptors!!
@Adam Tonge,
Minuscule number for Chinese Middle Class, they are Raptors, not F150’s. Sold some after a few car shows in China.
Much more interesting and profitable for Automakers to actually sell Pickups in China. Market dominated by Chinese brands, established Japanese brands find it hard.
Europe for US Pickups is a lost cause. In fact for Pickups generally.
You know you think it is a joke, but I saw no less than 4 Raptors and a couple of other F150s of the current model that were not owned by US service members. Several Mustangs too. It wasn’t many, but it was more than I expected to see for sure. That was Around Stuttgart. 2 of the Raptors were wrapped in advertising.
DumberMike,
You have made ridiculous trolling comments in the past, ie, you’ve been to Spain over 36 times and their is huge fullsize pickup market potential within the EU.
@BAFO – There’s an impressive number of grey market, US fullsize pickups running around Europe, although you hate to admit it. But think about all the red-tape, shipping, fees, delays, code/lighting modifications, and other big expenses owners were put through, not counting Right Hand Drive conversions (for UK, Ireland).
So what does that tell you? Obviously there’s respectable “pent up” demand. Excitement perhaps!
Yes US fullsize pickups, Tahoe/Expedition SUVs, could never come close to US sales figures, and never mind “mainstream” acceptance. But as healthy *niche* vehicle sales, if imported legitimately (with OEM/Dealer support, warranty, financing, etc)? Totally within the realm of possibilities.
Hell, whodda thought the Mustang would be such a damn hit in Europe/Australia? (NOT YOU!!!) It also has had a healthy “grey market” in Europe, since there’s been Mustangs.
At least Mustangs and F-150s aren’t redundant to what’s already for sale in Europe. That’s also key here.
When the US allowed “grey market” autos, think about how many global pickups were imported here… Yeah why would anyone bother, right? Or go to all the trouble??
Keep in mind Europe has its own “technical barriers” against all import vehicles. Besides a 10% tariff on all import autos, of course Europe has a 22.5% “Chicken Tax” on all import trucks. Why do you think that is??
@Big Al from Oz
Spot on, there. On another matter we can wait for Hyundai and what they are going to come up with. Pretty interesting times, with Mercedes, Hyundai,, Isuzu/ Mazda, and Renault coming out
I’m willing to bet actual money that these will fly off the lots here in the US even with ADM bump stickers for the first six months.
Mercedes would be an interesting addition to the US pickup market since owners expect pickups to, like last outside of a lease period and do sh!t.
This is the funniest comment on TTAC for a while.
@28-Cars-Later – LOL .True.
Actually, if it was this truck, I’d laugh twice as hard…damn, that’s ugly.
@FreedMike
Only a concept or one of a few concepts. Still better looking than the Titan, or the Chrome Warrior, RAM
No, it really isn’t.
Little troll,too many years behind the keyboard affecting your eyesight
The market says otherwise. The F series, GM twins, and the Ram rule pickup sales globally. Nobody else’s numbers are on the same planet.
Lil Troll, cut down the drugs, you are making no sense.
Will there be Mercedes branded truck nuts? Even better maybe just the circle around the truck nuts?
I do believe there is a market in the US for a 4×4 crew cab MB with 261hp and 460ftlb of torque that can easily tow 7 800lbs and carry 2 420lbs in the bed.
An AMG version should be good for 300+hp and 500+ftlb of torque.
That would be more than necessary for a want. Especially with longer control arms and rear wheel travel. A Raptor would definitely be out classed.
@Big Al from Oz
I am with Mercedes at this point and say no. I will say there say there is definitely a market for many of the current HDT Scania’s , Volvo’s ,MAN’s etc NA adversion to Cabovers is the big sticking point. Australian’s are gradually warming to the new European models
Robert Ryan,
I see Kenworth, Isuzu and Fuso cabovers all the time. There is no aversion to cabovers, they just occupy a smaller niche between larger pickup and van-based trucks and larger conventional trucks.
Their big advantage in maneuverability isn’t all that critical in the US, so the trade-off in operator comfort and NVH makes them less attractive.
@heavy handle
You get the lightweight , no heavy duty Japanese Trucks, and no European Trucks
Cab overs outside NA are on highway and Logging trucks, not just inner city delivery trucks.
Mitsubishi Fuso, is a brand not a Truck in Japan. Everything from the Canter(, what you get light Truck to Class 8’s
@heavy handle
See the Isuzu Cabover on this site
http://truck-driver-worldwide.page.tl/Road-Trains.htm
@ heavy handle:
the KWs, Isuzus and Fusos you see here are from the Class 5-7 range. These are not the 8-Class OTR trucks you may be thinking of.
At least one company is trying to reintroduce the 8-Class COE to the US. Alkane, a startup from Charleston, South Carolina, plans to roll out a COE *-Class next year. That truck is interesting besides the fact that it’s a format that hasn’t been seen on US roads in nearly 10 years (aside from the few ancient ones pulling logs) in that (1) it’s LPG powered and (2) the gliders are built by Foton in China and shipped over to the US for final engine fitting and US federalization.
@speedlaw – BAFO just said something funnier than @28 cars.
It isn’t going to be able tow 7800 lbs in the US. Mercedes has already said that the X-Class will be able to tow up to 7000 lbs and have a maximum payload of 2200 lbs. Who knows what the US tow and payload ratings will be. Still, those numbers are more than adequate for most people.
@Adam Tonge
Correction, tow 3.5 Tonne( 7,700lb). Payload if this came as a New Frontier more like 1500lb, not 2,400lb.
Mercedes is not going to make a single cab low height Type vehicle, with a 2,700lb payload. Just a Dual Cab( Crewcab) version.
Its payload/towing will be very close to Frontier specs. Don’t expect much more than 1,500 lbs payload. This isn’t Africa, Australia, SE Asia or some other market where they leave it entirely up the manufacturer’s sense of humour.
I think the article I read elsewhere must have gotten their ton and tonne mixed up. Still, I can’t see it having such a high tow rating here. Identical vehicles have much higher tow ratings outside of the US.
@Adam Tonge
The Colorado Diesel is rated at 7,700lbs
http://www.tfltruck.com/2015/07/2016-chevy-colorado-duramax-diesel-to-tow-7700-pounds-preview/
“Rated 181 hp and 369 lb.-ft. of torque, the all-new 2.8L Duramax lifts Colorado’s maximum trailering capacity to 7,700 lb. on 2WD models and 7,200 lb. in 4x4s, handily out-towing full-size Chevy Silverados powered by the 4.3L EcoTec3 V6.”
Given the number one vehicle purchase for those with incomes over $250K is the F-150, and for those with an income over $500K is…the F-150 — this seems like a no brainer. Especially if it has any capacity for the Home Depot runs, and to tow the toys.
@APaGttH – I suspect that you’d have a hard time selling this to a wealthy F150 buyer.
@Lou_BC
And Vica Versa. Going by pre sales here, they are lining up for it’s release.
@Lou_BC
Just by chance , I saw this trio lined up on the street .
Current Model Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger and a F150 Harley Davidson
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a186/RobRyan7/image_zps8dr8yayz.jpeg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a186/RobRyan7/image_zps9c7b1mmw.jpeg
You can’t gauge US interest in this product by pre-sale numbers in another market. That being said, I think the X-Class would do fine here. It won’t have the volume of some other trucks, but that isn’t the point.
@Adam Tonge
You are not going to pack in 70,000 to watch a Cricket game in the US, but no problems in Australia.
US is a different market, with. different tastes. Whether Mercedes thinks it is worthwhile, my feeling in the long run is no and they wil stick to it
We know what Mercedes are trying to do, but a lot of confusion, bias and too much home team love to make it work.in the US. plus the fact they would have to expand or build a new factory.
They could add this product to the new Sprinter plant.
The US built Mercedes SUVs has the worst interior in the Mercedes range, will this thing top the horrific cheapness that can be found in a $ 100 000 SUV? I’m not sure but my hopes are high.
@MeaMaximaCulpa
Not a US built Mercedes SUV
This could be a Ridgeline for venal dummies. Neither has anything to do with WURK.
If this makes Cadillac give us an EXT again, I’m all for it. I miss the EXT :(
@Spartan
Go ask Mary Barra, she has the answers