Mercedes-Benz is just about ready to reveal a concept version of its first pickup truck, but what kind of machine will it be?
The German automaker posted a teaser video to YouTube on Friday, showing glimpses of the concept that will preview of the midsize pickup truck it announced last year. The concept will be unveiled October 25 in Stockholm, Sweden, and perhaps Mercedes will confirm a timeline for the production truck’s arrival then. It is unlikely that the production model will be sold in the United States.
The teaser video hints at a truck that’s a bit sleeker than the rendering Mercedes released last year. It will be interesting to see whether the truck is a utilitarian workhorse, like Mercedes’ Sprinter and Metris vans, or a luxury vehicle more in line with the company’s passenger cars and SUVs. Luxury trucks have never been particularly successful, so a more basic work vehicle might make more sense. While luxury cars usually spring to mind first, Mercedes has plenty of experience with commercial vehicles.
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Potentially carrying the X-Class or GLT name, the Mercedes pickup truck will definitely have working-class roots. It was co-developed with Nissan as part of the ongoing relationship between the Japanese automaker and Mercedes parent Daimler. It’s widely expected to use the same platform as the Nissan NP300 Navara and Renault Alaskan trucks.
Neither of those trucks are currently sold in the U.S., and it’s likely the Mercedes won’t be either. In addition to certifying its truck for U.S. sales, Mercedes would have to deal with the “Chicken Tax” levied on imported small and midsize pickup trucks. Still, given how well the U.S. midsize-truck segment is doing right now, anything is possible.
But will U.S. consumers even want a Mercedes pickup truck? We’ll find out tomorrow when the concept version is unveiled in Stockholm. Stay tuned.
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